Don't be discouraged when your story comes back with a rejection letter (form letter or otherwise). It happens to everyone, and it happens to most of us many times. Frank Herbert's novel Dune is reported to have been rejected some forty times before it found a publisher — and now it's a classic in the field, has sold a gazillion or so copies, and has been made into movies, both good and bad.

The thing to do with a rejection is, don't take it personally. It might mean your story isn't ready for publication, or it might just mean you haven't found the right market for it yet.

When you get a rejection, put the letter in your souvenir file (I still have all of mine), and immediately send your story to the next market on your list. Remember I said you should always have your next market in mind? This is why. It's natural to feel disappointed, but don't let that interfere with keeping your story in motion. Get it back in the mail that same day, and get back to work on the new story you're writing. Don't forget to keep a record of whom you've sent it to, and the date.