This is, technically, writing for the market with a financial cost. Still, a slap in the face and one of the worst because you paid a fee. Yet, because I, as many others did, basically stood in a line, expecting just that. Its masochistic.
So, never again.
Rejection is hard enough to take without actually paying money for it. You have to deal with the tough skin rule that is so blatantly conveyed if you want to be published. So, yes, I will query and submit, going for the thick skin--just not with the 'All skin penetrating blade' that comes with paying fees.