When I get a rejection I print out the email and I write my thoughts on it. It involves cuss words and disappointment. Then I put it in the shredder and get back to writing. I put down my feelings and then let it go. It’s a business and in every business you get knocked down.
Rejection hurts. Big time. But my latest concern has been trying to decide and lock onto a new project while I wait on emails from agents I've queried. The waiting has been messing with my focus. I keep flittering from idea to idea: twenty pages on this, put it aside, ten pages on this idea, nah, put it aside. Let's write an outline! Okay, cool. I like it. I like it a lot! But...wait...the idea is turning epic in my head. I'll need five books to tell this story. Put it aside. How about I fill up a yellow legal pad with ideas while I stare out the window at the coffee shop as the world goes by...*sigh* I'll land on an idea I like soon. I know I will. Thanks for the helpful video. Take care. Jeff
I think that's normal writer behavior, Jeff. The waiting is like having blank pages in your head, and you want to fill them. Even if those in between projects don't turn into anything, they're still exercises in honing your craft.
I was rejected by 1 of your agents so, as it is known, I can no longer aspire to work with this agency during my current project. I took it quite lightly. Saw the stock rejection letter, with vague reasons for why my book was rejected, closed the email, shared it with my writing support group privately, made some jokes about it and moved on to find another agent. That's how it is. That's what I did.
While that was certainly a healthy response to rejection, we want you to know that a rejection from one agent at BookEnds, is not a rejection from all. You can query others here! Just never more than one at one time!
@@BookEndsLiterary oh! So you guys are like an exception to that rule? That's good to know. Thank you. Well then, I might bother the other sci-fi agent later. :) Thanks again.
I've gotten my share for sure. The first couple I was ready to quit. Then someone suggested I flip the script so to speak. To shoot for 100 rejections versus looking for that one agent. Since doing that I feel better knowing I have a long ways to go. And hopefully I'll never reach 100. But I do have a question since you brought this up Mrs. Jessica. Is it appropriate to thank the agent for the rejection? Not being a smart ass, but to honestly say thank you for taking the time out of their day to read my submission? I've refrained from doing that thinking the last thing they need or want is another email. Your thoughts would be very helpful, thank you.
The most difficult part of being rejected, 99% of the time, you don't know why you've been rejected, thus you're left wondering how to improve your submission.
Thanks for the video. It was insightful to watch. But I have to say that I've never liked the advice to remember how many numerous rejections that famous authors received before they hit it big. I know it's well meaning, but there's only one Stephen King or JK Rowling, and the vast majority of debut writers will work their butts off for years and never come close to that jackpot level of success. A lot will never get past querying and may stick their manuscripts in a drawer. In this industry, hard work, skill, and a good book aren't the only things you need. You also need luck and good timing. No debut writer can control those. It doesn't matter what a famous author did. No pub journey is exactly alike.
K M ~ I hear you, but remember that once upon a time those major superstar writers were nobodies in the pub world. J. K. Rowling in particular was married to a man who consistently put her down and even destroyed her early writings to destroy her dreams. Superstars in the publishing world didn't start as superstars. Or even know if they would ever get published.
When I get a rejection I print out the email and I write my thoughts on it. It involves cuss words and disappointment. Then I put it in the shredder and get back to writing. I put down my feelings and then let it go.
It’s a business and in every business you get knocked down.
I love that idea. Kudos to you!
I think that's a really great method for processing and using a rejection to your advantage. Well done!
So helpful. Thank you.
Great post! I know this will help someone--not me, I lettered in rejections back in high school--but someone.
Great reminder!
Rejection hurts. Big time.
But my latest concern has been trying to decide and lock onto a new project while I wait on emails from agents I've queried. The waiting has been messing with my focus. I keep flittering from idea to idea: twenty pages on this, put it aside, ten pages on this idea, nah, put it aside. Let's write an outline! Okay, cool. I like it. I like it a lot! But...wait...the idea is turning epic in my head. I'll need five books to tell this story. Put it aside. How about I fill up a yellow legal pad with ideas while I stare out the window at the coffee shop as the world goes by...*sigh*
I'll land on an idea I like soon. I know I will.
Thanks for the helpful video.
Take care.
Jeff
Lol, Jeff. This sounds like part of the process to us. The right idea is waiting for you!
I think that's normal writer behavior, Jeff. The waiting is like having blank pages in your head, and you want to fill them. Even if those in between projects don't turn into anything, they're still exercises in honing your craft.
@ Jeff
Don't keep is in suspense !!
We need an update....?
Chocolate. Lots of chocolate. Good quality chocolate.
Yes.
I was rejected by 1 of your agents so, as it is known, I can no longer aspire to work with this agency during my current project. I took it quite lightly. Saw the stock rejection letter, with vague reasons for why my book was rejected, closed the email, shared it with my writing support group privately, made some jokes about it and moved on to find another agent. That's how it is. That's what I did.
While that was certainly a healthy response to rejection, we want you to know that a rejection from one agent at BookEnds, is not a rejection from all. You can query others here! Just never more than one at one time!
@@BookEndsLiterary oh! So you guys are like an exception to that rule? That's good to know. Thank you. Well then, I might bother the other sci-fi agent later. :) Thanks again.
I've gotten my share for sure. The first couple I was ready to quit. Then someone suggested I flip the script so to speak. To shoot for 100 rejections versus looking for that one agent. Since doing that I feel better knowing I have a long ways to go. And hopefully I'll never reach 100. But I do have a question since you brought this up Mrs. Jessica. Is it appropriate to thank the agent for the rejection? Not being a smart ass, but to honestly say thank you for taking the time out of their day to read my submission? I've refrained from doing that thinking the last thing they need or want is another email. Your thoughts would be very helpful, thank you.
The most difficult part of being rejected, 99% of the time, you don't know why you've been rejected, thus you're left wondering how to improve your submission.
Thanks for the video. It was insightful to watch. But I have to say that I've never liked the advice to remember how many numerous rejections that famous authors received before they hit it big. I know it's well meaning, but there's only one Stephen King or JK Rowling, and the vast majority of debut writers will work their butts off for years and never come close to that jackpot level of success. A lot will never get past querying and may stick their manuscripts in a drawer. In this industry, hard work, skill, and a good book aren't the only things you need. You also need luck and good timing. No debut writer can control those. It doesn't matter what a famous author did. No pub journey is exactly alike.
That's fair. Whatever works for you!
K M ~ I hear you, but remember that once upon a time those major superstar writers were nobodies in the pub world. J. K. Rowling in particular was married to a man who consistently put her down and even destroyed her early writings to destroy her dreams. Superstars in the publishing world didn't start as superstars. Or even know if they would ever get published.