So you finished an essay or story, but you didn't get the verdict you wanted: your readers did not understand your intentions, or they took away something entirely different than you envisioned. For whatever reason, the piece failed. (Or at least, it seems to have failed. Sometimes, unexpected reactions are wonderful, delicious surprises.)
Why not file an appeal? Think back on the writing process: look for reversible error. What evidence should have been excluded/included? What decisions were unfair?
Grant yourself a new trial - a second chance at the process. A chance to do justice to your idea.
Obviously this is not a precise metaphor. In reality, a legal appeal would seek to reverse the jury's decision or win a new trial. Lawyers would take the case to a higher court.
In writing, you can never really reverse how readers feel or react. And of course, there are no set rules to follow - no established process - for writing, as there are for criminal trials. No higher court, either.
But think about how you could adapt the idea to writing. Would the appeal be on your behalf? Or a character in the story? The story itself? How would you plea the case? Would you look to precedent established by other writers or writing teachers? What part of the process was most weak? What part was unfair?
I will be writing an appeal for one of my rough works and posting it here in the future.