Just as there is subjective rejection, there’s subjective acceptance—the editor who sparks to your characters, your plot, your manuscript because of their personal experiences—and you want someone who understands your story to be the champion it needs.

Let’s be real. Rejection sucks, especially if you’re a writer trying to get your work published. Tor.com’s Natalie Zutter writes about some universal reasons editors and publishers reject manuscripts—and the reasons might just surprise you.