The Long Haul

Handling critique and rejection

A writer’s eventual success probably has as much to do with their resilience and flexibility in the face of criticism as it does their innate talent. Only writers who are capable of taking on board the views of others can ultimately learn and improve. Of course, there are plenty of writers out there who can’t or won’t accept any form of criticism – and who take criticism very personally indeed, even as they choose to completely ignore it. It should go without saying that these writers don’t get very far at all. It’s the wrong attitude if you want to progress, develop an empathy with your audience and enhance your own ability to self-critique with honesty and objectivity; in any case, regardless of talent, editors tend to avoid such troublesome, prickly types like the plague.

Workshops or courses are particularly useful because they’ll not only help you to improve your critical faculties – they’ll also help you to develop something else you’ll need: a thick skin. Because sooner or later – if you haven’t received it already – the postman will deliver the inevitable: the rejection letter.

The rejection letter will make frequent appearances in a writer’s early apprenticeship. Even when a writer is well established and highly successful, it will, unfortunately, resurface from time to time. Rejection is something every writer must get through and get over. And often many times before they can establish themselves in the better magazines and eventually find a publisher. Writers can comfort themselves with the fact that editors do not have the last word on what is brilliant, relevant or exciting. Far from it. Editors are only human. It should therefore be of no surprise that they bring to their roles their own aesthetics, prejudices (both rational and completely irrational) and perspectives. If an editor rejects your work, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your work lacks merit or you lack the talent. But if you find your work is being consistently rejected by various editors, then you do need to consider why this may be the case. It may be for the commonest reason: that you are not yet ready to step up to the platform of magazine or book publication and that further work is required to develop your writing and your editing. But it may be for another reason: the work is being badly placed. There are those authors who send their work for consideration to a title or a publisher or an agent whose typical output or clientele they have never read. No knowledge of, or engagement with, an outlet or agent before you send is a sure-fire failure. Nevertheless, many writers remain fond of the scattergun approach – despite the fact that it hasn’t managed to get them even close to getting published yet. Never confuse movement with action. Concentrate your efforts on researching magazines, publisher and agents and finding ones that may be sympathetic to your type of work – and genre, for that matter. While the rejection letter may be to some extent unavoidable, it’s your job as far as possible to outwit it.

For more information on publication in literary magazines and how to maximise your chances of success click here. For more information on maximising your chances of a successful submission to a publisher click here. For more information on agents click here.

Academi provisions to help you

The Academi provides a wide variety of services to writers in Wales to help them develop their skills and support their talent.

Information Provision

The Academi acts as the major information provider of news and information of interest to writers in Wales, including development and career opportunities. Visit the ‘Opportunities for Writers’ section of the website regularly for details. You can also subscribe to our e-newsletter to have the latest information delivered direct to your inbox.

Academi Critical Service

The Academi is able to support writers seeking professional feedback through its Critical Service. The service enables applicants to have their work read and assessed by an experienced writer for a modest fee. The critical service is available to all writers who live in Wales, regardless of their stage of development. For further details on the Academi Critical Service and how to apply click here.

Mentoring Scheme

In addition to its Critical Services, the Academi offers a Mentoring Scheme to those writers of distinction and promise whose work has already attracted the attention of a publisher. The Mentoring Scheme offers one-to-one feedback from a leading writer in Wales and can help equip you with the skills and advice to take the next step up. For further details on the Mentoring Scheme and eligibility click here.

Academi Bursaries Scheme

The Academi plays a vital role in helping to promote new writing from Wales through its Bursaries Scheme. Bursaries are available to writers currently based in Wales – both new and established – and can enable the writer to ‘buy time’ out of their employment commitments to complete a substantial literary work. The scheme is open to writers working in a variety of genres, including poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

In addition, the Scheme can also help writers by providing funding towards travel costs or even childcare.

Academi offers particular support to disabled writers through its Enabling Bursary, which can help to cover the costs of specialist equipment or administrative support.

For further details on the Academi Bursaries Scheme and eligibility click here.

Academi Courses

The Academi also offers a number of ad hoc courses throughout the year led by leading writers. Recent courses have included writing libretti, dance writing and performance poetry. Places on courses are free but are allotted on a first come first serve basis. The Academi also publicises details of other workshops of interest to writers on its website, and many of these locally-based workshops are funded through the Academi Writers on Tour Scheme.