How To Handle Rejection As A Freelance Writer

Dealing with rejection is part of the writing game.

I am coming off one of the worst weeks of my writing career. Despite having a killer portfolio and quality writing samples from over five years of writing, I still saw rejection email after rejection email flood my inbox.

No one likes to be rejected, but as a freelance writer, you’re going to have to learn how to deal with it. Rejection is just part of the writing game, and it can be difficult to accept sometimes. Despite spending a week drowning in rejection emails, I still open my work computer every day to market myself for writing gigs.

Asking For Feedback

Whether it’s a client who decides to go in another direction or an editor who rejects your article pitch, it’s never easy to hear that your work isn’t good enough. However, it’s important to remember that rejection is a natural part of the writing process. Even the most successful writers have had to deal with their fair share of nos. The key is not to take rejection personally and to use it as an opportunity to learn and grow as a writer.

If you do find yourself on the receiving end of a rejection, try to get some feedback from the client or editor. This can be difficult, but it can be very helpful in understanding why your work wasn’t accepted. Was it because of a specific issue with your writing? Or was it because the client or editor was looking for something different? Either way, getting feedback can help you become a better writer and improve your chances of success in the future.

Take Some Time For Yourself

Each rejection might sting a bit, especially if you’re starting out. After all, you’ve poured your heart and soul into your work, only to have it rejected time and time again. It’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough, like you’ll never make it as a writer.

But it’s important to remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth as a person. Just because one client doesn’t want to work with you doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of others who would love to have you on their team. So take some time for yourself after a rejection. Go for a walk, read your favorite book, or just relax and clear your mind.

Don’t Stop Submitting

It is important to remember that even the most successful writers have faced rejection at some point in their careers. In fact, many of them have faced far more rejections than the average person. The key is not to let rejections stand in your way.

If you believe in your writing, then keep submitting it, and don’t give up. Eventually, you will find an editor or publisher who sees the value in your work. So don’t let rejection emails get you down; instead, use them as motivation to keep moving forward on your writing journey.