Submitted by: Rick Iekel
From an early age of seven and for the rest of her life, my mother penned fascinating lyric verses. Complete with a second stamped self-addressed envelope, she submitted her efforts for publication in a variety of magazines. Like so many others, she routinely offered these creations in hope of acceptance.
No sooner had the postal delivery man pulled away from the mailbox than Helen would climb the steps to the roadside mailbox. There might be a response from one of the publications. The presence of one or more thick, familiar-looking envelopes spelled disappointment.
Over the weeks and months, the receipt of so many rejections was taking its toll. Never one to be conquered by the process, Helen devised a plan. During Helen’s next trip to town ( She lived in the country), she looked for the perfect object and happily came home with a silver platter with a glass-covered bottom. She cleaned it up and went to work on her project.
From dozens and dozens of rejection letters, she cut phrases into small strips: “Sorry. Have a quota.”, “Not this time”. ”Too serious for us.”, etc. She spread these strips this way and that, some on an angle, some upside-down, filling the entire bottom of the platter with expressions – all saying, “NO !”. Gluing these to the bottom, she replaced the glass and held her trophy up high.
Hosting the next meeting of the village Poetry Society, Helen served refreshments on her new party tray to the delight and compliments of fellow poets.
Rick, What a delightful story. Your mother was very clever and handled rejection bravely and with imagination.
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Love the way she coped with those letters in an original way
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Thankyou for the updates I’ve received from Lilac City. I’m not sure how I stumbled across this thread. However, any information attained is always welcome. I have a question to pose for one and all. I’ve already self-published a book (“Edge of Darkness”, James Kelly) via Amazon. But I’d like to republish with a more traditional publisher for better sales. I’ve been contacted (actually inundated) by many publishers. My question is this: should I be paying a publisher, or should the publisher be responsible for the costs? It seems everyone wants me to send THEM money. When in fact I thought it was the publisher who picks up the costs and gets a percentage of sales. Any assistance is helpful.
Best regards,
Jim Kelly
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