My writing year in review

I like to track things. I wear a tracker watch. I track what I read, I track what I write/what has yet to be written, I track places to submit. Data is information.

I was inspired by this piece and its follow-up. Great inspiration for writers. I thought, why not?

Rejection is a part of the writing process. If you want to have your work published, you will face rejection. Rejection means you’re getting your work out there! And I would venture to say that 99.99% of rejections are about timing rather than skill. For example, I sent a parody poem to a humor website and the rejection said “we just published a piece on the same topic, so we’ll have to decline this one.” See? Timing. Not personal. Off it goes to another pub.

I’m proud of what I accomplished this year (and last year too!). I think it shows my growth as a writer. Next year (tomorrow), I’m not going to aim for 100 rejections. I want to keep my focus tight on finishing my NF manuscript. The goal is to get that work published - which means more writing, less submitting, for now.

Text version of image:

rejections 2020 = 19, 2021 = 45 includes one longlist; includes rejections to workshops and other opportunities applied for

acceptances 2020 = 5, 2021 = 17 (pitched 20 presses) 4 interested, 1 signed contract; includes acceptances to workshops and other opportunities applied for

2021 withdraws = 2

2021 waiting = 11

Submissions 2020 = 24, 2021 = 75 ($143 sub fees)

Acceptance Rate 2020 = 21%, 2021 = 23% ($25 paid)

Pieces Published 2020 = 3, 2021 = 6