The short story I submitted for publication was rejected.

Bummer.

But I'm still excited. The fact that I actually got up the courage to submit a story to a bunch of editors was a very big step for me. When I hit the "Submit" button last month I wasn't concerned about being rejected (not too much) since the major victory was already won. I actually submitted a story!

Then through in the fact that I got feedback like this:

"I liked this story. I *really* liked it. I'm just not sure it's right for us."

Man o Man! If I'm this happy about being rejected, imagine what I'll be like when a story gets published!