Let’s Talk About Academic Rejection
- Linnette Johnson
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Why It’s Not the End—And How to Move Forward with Purpose
Today, I’m sitting with the sting of a journal rejection.
After months of research, long nights of writing, careful editing, and thoughtful revisions, the email arrived: “We regret to inform you…”
Oof.
Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, academic rejection is never easy. It doesn’t just bruise your ego—it can shake your confidence and challenge your belief in the value of your work.
But here’s the truth I’m choosing to hold onto today: Rejection doesn’t mean your work is worthless. It simply means it wasn’t the right fit—for that journal, at that time, for that audience.
Why Rejection Happens (Even to Great Work)
In my case, the journal cited “numerous submissions” as the reason for the rejection. No feedback. No review. Just a polite, brief notice.
It stings. Especially when you’ve poured your heart into your research, grounded it in evidence, and written it with care.
But I remind myself—and you—that these rejections often have nothing to do with the merit of the manuscript. They can reflect:
Editorial scope misalignment
High submission volume
Thematic priorities of the issue
Space and timing constraints
Sometimes, strong work doesn’t make it through. And that’s okay.
What I'm Doing Now
I’m taking a pause—a breath and then moving forward.
If there had been reviewer comments, I would have read them with fresh eyes, looking not for affirmation, but for insight. I would have revised and recalibrated to strengthen the manuscript and try again.
In this case, I’m choosing the other path: submitting to a new journal with a more precise alignment to the manuscript’s focus and audience. Because this work still matters—and I believe it deserves to be seen.
If You’ve Been Rejected, Too…
Here’s what I want you to know:
You’re not alone. Every researcher, regardless of experience, has faced rejection.
You’re still a credible, capable scholar. One "no" doesn’t erase your expertise or effort.
You have options. Revise and resubmit. Find a better fit. Present it at a conference. Turn it into a blog, a workshop, or a teachable moment.
Most importantly, don’t give up.
Your voice is needed. Your work is valid. The right home for your research is out there.
A Gentle Nudge to Keep Going
Research is a journey. Not a straight line, but a winding road with edits, setbacks, revisions, and—eventually—acceptance.
So if you're navigating the pain of rejection, take the time you need to feel it. Then get back up, dust off your draft, and keep going.
Because in the end, it’s not about a single publication—It’s about persistence, impact, and the purpose behind why you started this work in the first place.
You've got this.
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