For both new and long-practicing writers, it’s useful to remember that editors of literary journals are human beings. They are also probably writers. They choose pieces that best represent the journal and often stick to their particular style; this is especially true at journals that have head editors who have worked there for some time. Sometimes a piece can be turned down because it’s not quite ready, whereas other submitted pieces are set to go. Other times, a piece may not be published because, let’s say, it centers around a flock of swans and the previous issue happened to have two pieces in it about the same beautiful birds. Rejection is not personal. It’s subjective. Journals only have so much room in each issue and, on the whole, reject most of what is submitted. Being passed over isn’t a judgment of you as a writer. Bear this in mind when you doubt your abilities after getting a rejection. This perhaps just wasn’t the right time to submit your piece about large, white birds. Or maybe you got too excited and sent out a draft a little bit early. Keep plugging away!
—Damien Cowger, managing editor, New Ohio Review
Photo credit: Ashley Cowger