Ira Glass talking about storytelling.

In the Fall of 2008 I decided to apply for an internship at This American Life. I lived and breathed NPR and was living abroad for a year. During that time, This American Life was my comfort food. I not only listened religiously every week, but I would listen to at least 1 episode from the archives each day. 

The application guidelines are rigorous. Like applying to University. In addition to the usual cover letter and resume they require written explanations of journalistic/documentary experience as well as your technical savvy. Then you must pitch two story ideas (basically two submissions) and a favorite personal story. When I started my application process you also had to include (and explain) your favorite and least favorite TAL episodes. 

I started the process in October 2008 and did not let up on the rewrites and additions until the day I submitted it March 18th 2009. Of course in my mind, I was perfectly qualified. Yes, hundreds of people who are equally obsessed as I was were also applying, but I knew their guidelines backwards and forwards, I listened to the show constantly, understood their vibe, knew the trends in their episode themes and stories…and hey! I would be coming back from a year abroad, a suitcase full of stories and new perspective. The universe was on my side. I had this. I had too. 

April 30th, 2009

Dear *******,

 I’m writing to thank you for your interest in the fall internship at This American Life, and to let you know that the position is being offered to another candidate.  Unfortunately we don’t have enough positions for all the qualified people who apply.

Best of luck to you. 

This American Life

Burn. Major burn. I took that personally Ira. And I didn’t listen to TAL for at least 4 months after that. It was too painful. Now, I realize everyone and their mom loves This American Life. And the TAL producers are overwhelmed by story submissions and internship applications every single day. We can’t know why they choose the things they do, or why they reject the things they do. 

But, what I want to do here is create a place to pool the rejection and share our stories. Of all the submissions to TAL, I can’t help but feel that they turn down some really awesome stories and applicants. Here at Rejected by This American Life I want those stories to see the light of day. 

If you submitted a story and were rejected by Ira and the gang e-mail it to me along with the rejection letter: rejectedbyTAL@gmail.com and I will post it. Just because they didn’t make it to the NPR airwaves doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be shared.