“I have a phobia about rejection” — a note from a reader.

You are not alone.

I got over my resistance by aiming for 100 rejections a year. For each submission, I had a list of five places ready to send the piece when a rejection came in. Rejection: in! Submission: out!

Then I had my feelings.

And then — critical — I went researching for one more place to submit. When the next rejection came in, I had five ready on my submissions list.

My attitude toward the Heavy 100 changed rather quickly. Sure, at times and for no discernible reason, one or another rejection would really hurt. However, more often, the rejection was followed by a zip-zap of energy: “Oooooooh! Where do I get to submit next?”

In 2021, I racked up 253 rejections and eight literary publications — superseded only by 2020, when I had nine pieces published after a mere 163 rejections. Now, I’m out of pieces to submit!

Of course, with the goal 100 rejections a year comes the necessity of tracking them all.

If you’d like a copy of my submissions spreadsheet, subscribe to my Substack newsletter and leave me a note at theonlyallehall@gmail.com