Monday 30 April 2012

Publication Rejects Week

OK. So a few weeks ago I shared some publications.  This week I thought I'd share some cards that didn't make the cut.
When I first started submitting for magazines, I found it really hard getting rejected.  And believe me, I must have submitted hundreds of cards before I got one selected.  Now, I consider rejection just a part of the process.  And there could be any number of reasons why a card is not chosen.  I do like to look back at the rejects and consider what was not quite right, so I thought that with each rejected card I post this week, I'd try a little analysis of why I think it wasn't chosen.  And I am NOT doing this to gain sympathy :), I just want to encourage you to submit, and maybe my analysing a little might help YOU.  Because getting a card chosen for publication is one of the best feelings EVER. :)
So here goes...
For today, a card I made for a CARDS magazine call.  The call was for a red, yellow and teal school themed card. Here's my attempt... 
You're Amazing
Looking at it now, I think perhaps it was too symmetrical and flat for CARDS. They publish a lot of shabby, vintagey cards - cards with loads of texture... cards I aspire to make :)  Maybe this was just too one dimensional - not enough ribbon, not enough bling.
Buy hey - I still like it. :) And that panda pencil is one of my all time favourite EVER stamps so I had to try.
I hope this is helpful in some way to those of you who are trying to get published for the first time. My advice, don't give up. It'll happen eventually.  It took me over a year and I often felt like giving up trying. Glad I didn't now. :)
Back soon with another reject.
Supplies

13 comments:

Bunnyfreak said...

Glad to know that rejection is part of the process. Love the panda stamp on the card.

Eva said...

Welcome! Have you had a good break?
Your card PANDA PENCIL is very funny and cute!!
Kind regards Eva;)

Virginia L. said...

This card's color combo is so striking and cute!I might jump on the reject share in my blog as well. I am donating my unpublished cards to friends!I also get what you mean about CARDS pub. My cards are all way too simple for the styles they are looking for. Thanks for sharing, Lucy! I actually think that all of your cards are chosen, no rejects at all. AND I still believe so ;)

cassie said...

I love your panda pencil card. I'll have to show it to my daughter- not only does she LOVE pandas, but she has a pencil obsession! I even did a layout on her pencil obessesion a few years ago! This year i decided to start submitting and just had my first card accepted by papar crafts magazine! it'll be published in the sept/oct issue. It was very exciting to get the happy email and it definitely encouraged me to keep on submitting. Which reminds me- I need to start on some Christmas cards!

Dotty Jo said...

How did this NOT get published - it's fabulous! Jo x

Isha Gupta said...

This is such a lovely combo and great card Lucy. This post is really helpful for me as I got rejected a couple of times and it sure is very hard. I am trying to understand the mystery too, why my card was not chosen...it is so difficult.
I want to say thanks for this post and sharing your sweet card.

Cindy C. said...

The panda pencils are really cute! Thanks for the encouraging words on submitting for publishment.

Pajalu said...

Lucy what a great card, kudos to you for sharing why you think your card(s) didn't make the cut. Personally I love this card & of course I would love to do simple cards like you do. I just can't help myself & always have to add more.

Bumblebee said...

Love your attitude Lucy, its so refreshing, and honest. Personally I can't bring myself to submit any cards, I've never even won a blog challenge, so don't think I have any chance of being chosen for a magazine!!!! Love that pencil stamp too!

Jocelyn said...

I love this card ^_~

Lizziski said...

Well I would have chosen it because I love it. And I bought one like this that you made in your Etsy (or Folksy) shop :). So cute and beautifully made

Dawn T said...

an adorable card Lucy.

Alice said...

really like how the pencils point to the sentiment. super fun card, Lucy! i have never had any success with CARDS. not good at shabby at all... maybe i should try again... thanks so much for sharing this!