#0053 Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Rejection-Gathering Program

Submit >> submit >> submit in these final hours of September!

As the kiddos settle back into the school routine, so shall we creatives return to our rejection-gathering schedule. We cannot receive rejections without submitting, and September is a prime time to get our work into the hands of publications, contests, and agents as well as have our creative concepts considered for conference panels and reviewed toward residencies and retreats.

It was either this or a cartoon toucan saying: “Toucan Do It!” (Source: my brain on Canva.)

According to Duotrope’s home page, there have been 3,400 reported submissions in the past week (as of Wednesday, September 25th). One or two of these submissions is/are mine!

Sharp-eyed readers might be wondering, One or two? Why can’t she decide?

Here’s the story: On September 19th, I finally remembered to follow up on a submission from the end of February. (Yea, yea, tease all you want. I wear the Tortoise pin proudly.)

Lo and behold, a response: My graphic design had been misplaced? Never entered into their old system? Whatever, because they were excited to see it, invited me to submit it again, mentioned something about looking for cover art for 2025? and offered the option to submit more artwork, even more than their limit of 3 pieces!

So… does a submission from February that I was asked to resubmit count as a new submission? I don’t know. Regardless, the chance at trying for their cover motivated me to create a new digital design (rather than finalize some of my comics [add the Lazy Dog pin to my lapel]) last weekend.

I intend to publish this missive on Sunday, September 29th, at noon. That gives us around 36 hours to submit submit submit one creative work simultaneously to tons of places. Or several creative pieces to one place. Or query some agents for representation. Or propose a panel to an upcoming conference. Or try for a residency or retreat (or twelve).

How many submissions can you tally in the final day and a half of September? Dare to dream big! And tell me all about it in the comments!!

Next time: What to do while waiting for the rejections to roll in…