So, remember this post I wrote on sexual abuse? I thought I would try to get it published and started looking around for markets for essays. I sent it into the New York Times Modern Love column, because that’s one that was on my radar, and then kept looking. I didn’t hold my breath because everyone wants to get published in the New York Times. They get thousands of submissions. After I sent it in I also read that they didn’t publish anything that has been previously published, including on a blog. Whoops.
Anyway, I noticed today that someone from the New York Times had logged into my blog and read my “About Me” page. And when I investigated further, I noticed someone from the same IP address had also logged in last week and read my profile. Could it be??? Nah….
Then about 30 minutes later I got an email from the New York Times thanking me for my submission, but saying they couldn’t use it.
Wow.
Do you know what this means?
It means they actually read and considered my essay. It means someone took the time to log into my blog -- twice -- and read about me.
Perhaps they rejected it because I had already published it on my blog. Or perhaps they decided it wasn’t up to their standards.
But they considered it. The New York Fucking Times considered it.
It’s fair to say I’m walking about three feet off the ground right now.
Anyway, I noticed today that someone from the New York Times had logged into my blog and read my “About Me” page. And when I investigated further, I noticed someone from the same IP address had also logged in last week and read my profile. Could it be??? Nah….
Then about 30 minutes later I got an email from the New York Times thanking me for my submission, but saying they couldn’t use it.
Wow.
Do you know what this means?
It means they actually read and considered my essay. It means someone took the time to log into my blog -- twice -- and read about me.
Perhaps they rejected it because I had already published it on my blog. Or perhaps they decided it wasn’t up to their standards.
But they considered it. The New York Fucking Times considered it.
It’s fair to say I’m walking about three feet off the ground right now.
That is awesome and I LOVE that kind of perspective on a rejection. Good for you - keep trying!
ReplyDeleteOh my giddy Aunt! - well your giddy Aunt.
ReplyDeleteHuge Kudos to you... gosh how many must they not read? Did you get goosebumps? :)
Are you reading this QANTAS??? You are missing an awesome opportunity to sponsor a soon to be famous author..
ReplyDelete@ Kim, you know I still haven't found an email address for Qantas' marketing dept to send that letter to! They apparently don't want people like me to contact them. :-P
ReplyDeletethat piece you wrote was worthy of being published in the ny times. who knows why you were rejected. you have a wonderful perspective, however. as a former newspaperman, there's a reason newspapers, including the ny times, are fading away into oblivion: sure, the internet, but also the predictable content they provide. the ny times probably focused more on your 'about' page than the content of your marvelous piece, and it's their loss, as usual, for never taking a chance on someone outside the elite circle of writers they promote.
ReplyDelete@ Ed, thanks sweets. Maybe I should rewrite my About Me page to say I've been widely published by, um, Wanderlust.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Sometimes, when I write a really good post, I don't publish it in case I grow a set and start submitting things, since I've also heard putting on your own blog counts as previously published. Good for you for submitting it and wow! on getting noticed! I bet they would have published it if it wasn't already on the blog, but I'm glad you shared it with us. :)
ReplyDeleteAs I've said on my email to you:
ReplyDeleteI AM SO PROUD OF YOU. You brilliant almost got published on New York Times you!! Hot damn!!
That is totally exciting. How could you tell that they had logged into your blog? I'm so excited for you. You are right that even though they didn't publish it, the fact that they bothered to check you out says they thought it was good enough to pursue! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteSqueeeee! SQUEEEE! (and again)Squeeeee!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is so exciting! Have you sent it to other places as well? Qantas must have a physical mailing address?
ReplyDelete@ Eva, www.statcounter.com It's a blogger's dream software and it's free.
ReplyDeleteYeaahhh! Woohoo!
ReplyDeleteI really hope that this inspires you to write and submit more to the NY Times. You have a gift that needs to be shared - and validated for yourself.
ReplyDelete@ Deb, thank you! What a nice compliment.
ReplyDeleteThat is so fantastic :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome Ms Glass Half Full!! Way to get rejected! Keep it up baby! xo
ReplyDeleteWoohooo!
ReplyDeleteThat is freaking awesome!
Like Deb said, write and submit, write and submit, girl!
*high fives*
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Just keep submitting. You know the writing is good enough or else they wouldn't have taken a second look at it!! I'm so proud.
ReplyDeleteOMG. Just, OMG. Freaking A. That is the coolest thing EVER!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! AMAZING!!! You are such an enjoyable read, it's no wonder your words leapt off the page/screen at someone there. I am in awe, as a wishes-she-had-the-nerve writer myself. That is a huge achievement (in rejection ;)!
ReplyDelete@ Being Me - "A huge achievement in rejection" I love that! I think that needs to go in my About Me page!!
ReplyDelete@ Lori - second coolest thing ever! Coolest would have been actually, you know, being published. Ah twell...
Amazing! Well if that doesn't inspire you to keep trying nothing will!
ReplyDeleteGO YOU! xx
Thank you for sharing the statcounter information, I just installed it.
ReplyDeleteYay for you! You will be published, I have no doubt about that. Just keep trying :-) I submitted to the Sydney Morning Herald once. They just ignored me. It was a rant about fake tan. Maybe I should resubmit under a 'Rangas of Oz Unite' tag, cause, you know, we're taking over.
ReplyDeleteGeeze I'm off on all sorts of tangents these days. I blame the hormones.
I have never before seen someone so elated over rejection... The world is indeed changing. I suppose that to say you've been rejected by the best is better than accepted by the worst. I use StatCounter, it is great.
ReplyDeleteAV
Kristin-Thanks for sending me an e-mail about this. It's great news, but I also agree with Ed. Perhaps your blog, Wanderlust, is better than the NYT. Maybe you are better than the NYT. Remember..YOU ARE AWESOME...they SHOULD be bowing down TO YOU. But the nature of the BEAST is that it's "trying just to stay alive." (i.e. publishing, periodicals, NYT) and unfortunately they'll do anything to survive. You know what that means? YOU'VE GOT THE POWER!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll write a letter to the NY Times, letting them know I haven't read their paper in over 30 years. I wonder if they'll feel half as elated as you do.
ReplyDeleteVery very cool Wander. You are an excellent writer and you shoul be proud!
ReplyDeleteOMG SQWEEEE! That's awesome Kristin!! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe next time you'll get published eh? xx
That is F*cking Impressive! You came THISCLOSE!
ReplyDeleteNice work! Shit, how many major authors were rejected time and again before they scored their first deal? Keep banging on the door...
ReplyDeleteWOW - you go girl. Okay they didn't say yes, but just to have the look - stand tall and proud on that one. One day soon, I can just feel I will be able to say "I knew her back before".
ReplyDelete