A student shares a rejection

I want to share with you an email from a student about the care and support students get from a writing class. I truly think my role is key but even more important is the peer support of fellow students. Joanne, who I think will read this, I hope you know how your words are important to Charlene. When we share in the rejections we all get, we don't feel so alone and defeated. I remember by first rejection letter. I had been appalled by how short it was, how the title of my piece was written in a blank space, how they addressed me as "Dear Writer". Since then I have been rejected hundreds of times and I have developed a thick callous to it...most of the time. As I await the news from that press I told you all about, I ready myself for the possibility of a painful rejection. Read on. Oh, and thank you Charlene!


Hi Hannah & Joanne,
I want to share with you that I got my first rejection letter last
weekend. I was fine with it, thanks to both of you. I expected the rejection
more than not since I have learned much about the process of submitting for
possible publication. Hannah, you have sent us web sites and blogs (as the
one below) and so I felt well prepared.
Your support and the support and positive affirmation from my classmates
has made all the difference for me. I know I wouldn't have submitted my
story without all the encouragement and guidance I received. In my first
class - Critique and Feedback I received positive feedback and constructive
suggestions on what needed work in my story. This was key in improving my
story and making me a better writer.
So, I say thank you to both of you. I will keep you posted on the rest of
my responses as they come in. I hope to keep my chin up through the rest of
the process!
I am working on ideas for another story to bring to my next class!
-Charlene