Rejection Wednesday – The Daily Rejection (A Writer's Woe)

Rejection Wednesday #4

So I got another rejection today. A highly unexpected one that came a full year after I had submitted my manuscript.

But don’t weep for me just yet, because actually, I think this was the kick in the pants I so desperately needed, and it gave me a new glimmer of hope.

Ultimately, the agent decided to pass on my novel because the first third was “a little slow for [their] taste”. But here’s the good news. They read.the.whole.thing. Front to back, and provided comments on what they liked all the way through. Not only that, I have an open invitation to send over more work in the future. I’ll say, rejection aside, this is more positive than not.

Wait a second, what’s that noise? That distinct choo-choo sound? Well ladies and gents, I believe that’s the train leaving Writer’s Block Station on its way to Revision Town! All aboard the Author Express!

Only, in fairness, this train is far from an express one. In fact, I’m quite certain it’s a singular loop with frequent stops along the way to Idea Land, Submission Valley, and Headache Mountain. But one day, dear readers, that time will come when the train finally takes that detour to Publication City, and what a glorious day that will be.

Happy Writing to you all! May today be the day you find your own inspiration.

Until Next Time,

Rejection Wednesday #3

You know what’s the best feeling in the world? Seeing this beacon of hope in your inbox, in response to your query letter:

Sounds intriguing! Please send me the first 30 pages and a synopsis as Word document attachments. I look forward to reading your material!

You know what’s the worst feeling? Seeing this follow-up in your inbox a couple weeks later:

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to read your submission. I appreciate you considering me for representation of your work. Unfortunately, after careful review, I have decided to pass on this submission.

As the tide of rejection letters continues to roll in, I thought I’d share a few tips for everyone like me who is currently in the novel querying stage. These are sites that have helped me immeasurably to keep track of all my non-progress:

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Rejection Wednesday #2

I recently counted up the number of rejections I received on one novel. It’s called THE SOUL ACCORD, and it’s an action-packed, Young Adult supernatural thriller with a killer twist and guess what? It’s been rejected 37 times.

Thirty. Seven. Rejections. And that was only from the most recent round of queries.

I had shopped the novel around a few years ago, added a good 60-some rejections to the ol’ collection, and shelved it for two years after receiving my infamous THISCLOSE rejection.

Whelp, with a new determination, I rewrote the sucker. We’re talking a 70% overhaul. Key scene shakeups, the removal of whole plot elements and the addition of others, all while changing main character names and the story title. And what do I have to show for all my hard work?

Thirty. Seven. More. Rejections.

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Rejection Wednesday #1

Remember, a “No” will never kill you, but a single “Yes” could be the one that changes your life.

For my first Rejection Wednesday, I’d like to share my latest rejection letter, and tell a tale about my toughest rejection to date. (Identifying names of the agents/agency have been omitted, for privacy’s sake).

This lovely was waiting for me in my inbox a few days ago, a response that came roughly four months after the query was sent.

“Thanks so much for your query and interest in our representation. I was very glad to have a chance to take a look. Regrettably, I don’t feel sufficiently excited about the material to take it on, but please remember that reactions to fiction are entirely subjective, so I do recommend that you try some other agents. Best of luck to you in finding a home for your work, and thank you for thinking of me.”

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