Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Rejections: When You Miss It By That Much


Have you ever had an agent email you and tell you things like "don't sign with anyone else before contacting me" or "I am crazy in love with the premise", but are ultimately rejected anyway? To me personally, it's those rejections that hurt the most. They get you all pumped up, and you think maybe this is it! Well, if this is happened to you, you are not alone. It happens to the best of us, believe me, but there is good news in those rejections. It means you're close!!! When an agent takes time out to write a one page critique of your work it just means they cared enough about the story to give you detailed feedback, which is awesome because it means you held their interest.

Rejections sometimes make you want to pull your hair out or maybe even quit writing all together, but don't let them get you down. We all get them. It's just apart of the journey to publication. Just think, even Stephanie Meyer sent 13 queries and only got one yes (aren't you glad Jodi Reamer your intern didn't know to instantly reject an over-the-limit YA manuscript) and Becca Fitzpatrick posted on her blog it took her five years to get Hush Hush agented. Keep hope my friend, persistence pays off, just ask any published author.

Share with us your journey in the comments section below. We writers have to stick together!!

11 comments:

Christina Lee said...

yeah...sigh. Been there, am there, trying to hang on in while I query my second YA.
Hey I see there are to "ohioans" over here! I'm here in Cleveland, giving a shout-out to you!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Thanks for the inspiration. It can always be used. Nice post.

Jamie Blair said...

Hey Christina Lee, fellow Ohioaan! :)

My agent offer came on book 4. Just keep writing and sending queries. Eventually, the odds will be in your favor. Seriously. :)

Debra D. said...

My offer came on book 2. Book 1 was the oh-so-popular college-based YA--eek! And I totally agree with Annie. If you're getting comments like that, hang in there--you're sooooo close!

Kaitlin Ward said...

Rejections are painful and sad but this is a great post! Definitely, if you're getting comments like this, you're on your way.

JEM said...

This is a great post! I haven't started subbing my manuscript (still needs character development), but it's good to know to keep a level head until the ink is dry on the paper! Patience is a virtue, and all that other crap.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Christina. Been there. Done that. Got a closet full of t-shirts and bags full of door prizes in the way of stellar compliments, offers of revisions, requests to send any other material, and lengthy letters of what I've done right.

I can only say that it must mean that one day, I'll actually make it. You will, too.

Annie McElfresh said...

Keep faith girls. You all are stellar writers!! We have to keep each other positive in all stages of the writing game!! (Yes I still have love for my agented girls who are on Sub!! I know you're still getting hit with the R's sometimes. It'll happen for you too!) Why because you are all awesome and chasing your dream!!

And (Christina) Hello my Fellow Ohioan!!

Dorothy Dreyer said...

Yes! I thought I was on my way when one agent asked to see a partial just based on my website (I didn't even query her). Was even more excited when she said the partial was most intriguing and wanted the full. But in the end she wasn't "in love with it enough." It's so frustrating, especially when feedback from different agents conflict with another. Some love the voice, some love the premise, but I can't get them to love both at the same time.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Katie Ashley said...

Aw, been there, done that, and have a closet full of t-shirts, lol. Just kidding. But you're so right. Even though the temptation is there to throw your laptop in frustration and say, "NEVER AGAIN!" You have to just keep keeping on!! I know you're gonna make it girlie!! So hang in there!

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