I've been rejected by every literary magazine and agent I've submitted to. My MFA workshop loved my work, but the "real world" doesn't seem to care. I've started building a small community of other struggling writers—we meet weekly, share work, encourage each other. Some of my friends say I'm wasting my time with "losers who will never make it" instead of networking with successful people. But these are my people. We understand each other. We push each other. I feel more creative after our meetings than after any "networking event." Is my little community valuable, or am I hiding from rejection by surrounding myself with other rejects? How do I balance building genuine creative community with the practical need to connect with gatekeepers? — Salon of the Unsuccessful in Sacramento

"I've been rejected by every literary magazine and agent I've submitted to. My MFA workshop loved my work, but the "real world" doesn't seem to care. I've started building a small community of other struggling writers—we meet weekly, share work, encourage each other. Some of my friends say I'm wasting my time with "losers who will never make it" instead of networking with successful people. But these are my people. We understand each other. We push each other. I feel more creative after our meetings than after any "networking event." Is my little community valuable, or am I hiding from rejection by surrounding myself with other rejects? How do I balance building genuine creative community with the practical need to connect with gatekeepers? — Salon of the Unsuccessful in Sacramento" Gertrude Stein, you've said "Create the conditions for creation—surround yourself with those who push you" — but I want specifics. Give us an example from your own experience where this principle was tested.