Just sharing the best rejection story ever, in the hope that it will help someone--I got my first rejection in 1991, and I brought the letter with me to my friend Jill's house. We went to her brother's house--author Tom Bates, who noticed I was "off" and asked what was wrong. I showed him the rejection and fought tears as he read it. He went inside and I waited, confused, until he came out with a tray of champagne flutes. He said "Kristin became a real writer today; let's celebrate!" It transformed my experience and I remember it every time I get another rejection.
Kristin, what a gem of a story! It takes authors holding their hands out to other authors to help shift our perspectives. This is a fabulous one--the moment itself, where you were cheered, and the fact that it's left this lasting impression that you can now share with others. Thanks for chiming in with such a sweet reframe of a tough topic.
Thank you so much, Laura, for sharing the inner working of submissions to Forest Avenue Press. My biggest rejection came when my agent, someone I'd worked hard to get, rejected my novel after what she claimed were two rounds in New York. She then suggested small presses. I did that. Then COVID descended. No word from the small presses. I decided to take my novel in hand and approach a reputable hybrid press. I have not regretted that decision. She Writes Press has done an admirable job with up upcoming debut novel, About the Carleton Sisters. The novel is where it belongs. Thank you. I celebrate you prioritizing your health.
I appreciate your clear-headedness on this and how you've made a choice to move forward with your goals--not just your wildest dreams. You can have both, but if you can't adjust the dreams to other people's timelines and whatnot, real heartbreak can occur. Thanks for sharing your story, Dian!
Such good information and perspective for all of us submitters, Laura. Thank you and do take good care. I'm hearing wonderful things about your new publicity service.
Thank you, Judy! It's tiptoe-style into this other arena--and definitely a learning curve in figuring out how to listen to my body and not lose hope when there's too much pain to function.
So glad you are getting some answers and finding a balance that works for you. Wishing you good health and stability in all you are endeavoring to do this year.
Thank you so much for your support. Health is one of those things that doesn't fit into neat categories, at least for me. Starting to see the scope and shape of what's going on, and how I can adjust my life to make space for disability, feels like a great step.
I have a funny question about the submittal process. I have worked hard consistently on my manuscript, but the truth is it has taken me approximately 10 years to finish it. Like a lot of other people, I have family obligations – two kids (I’d take summers and other periods off because my girls were LOUD and holy living terrors) a nonagenarian mother (90s), a busy husband, etc. My question: is this bad to admit it has taken me this long to finish the manuscript? Will it look bad, like I won’t be able to whip out another book if it comes to that? While I have been writing all my life, this is my first novel and I stumbled through it, learning a TON with only two short (zoom) writing classes. Thanks much for any input you have.
Hi Patty: Ten years is par for the course for a first novel. My motto is "keep going" and never give up. The novel will be judged on itself and not how long it took you to write it. You've learned how to write a novel. That's a big deal. The next one will come to you. Celebrate what you've done! It's taken me 25 years to get my sister novel published. I can't worry about it. I have two more waiting to go into the world.
Patty, Dian has given you great advice! I agree; my debut novel took 15 years, but I also raised two kids and started a small press in those 15 years. Books take however long they take, and especially first ones need to be wrestled, cajoled, etc.
Keep going! And if you start submitting and get rejections, start with revisiting your query letter unless you are offered specific manuscript advice that makes sense to you. Rejections are part of the process--and not a part that we can control by working harder or writing more. So prepare for that piece and pat yourself on the back for submitting, which is the piece you CAN control. (I have FEELINGS about all this!)
Just sharing the best rejection story ever, in the hope that it will help someone--I got my first rejection in 1991, and I brought the letter with me to my friend Jill's house. We went to her brother's house--author Tom Bates, who noticed I was "off" and asked what was wrong. I showed him the rejection and fought tears as he read it. He went inside and I waited, confused, until he came out with a tray of champagne flutes. He said "Kristin became a real writer today; let's celebrate!" It transformed my experience and I remember it every time I get another rejection.
Kristin, what a gem of a story! It takes authors holding their hands out to other authors to help shift our perspectives. This is a fabulous one--the moment itself, where you were cheered, and the fact that it's left this lasting impression that you can now share with others. Thanks for chiming in with such a sweet reframe of a tough topic.
It's especially poignant now that Tom is gone; he died of pancreatic cancer about 8 years ago. It's a memory of him that I'll always hold dear.
Oh--that makes it even more special. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Laura, for sharing the inner working of submissions to Forest Avenue Press. My biggest rejection came when my agent, someone I'd worked hard to get, rejected my novel after what she claimed were two rounds in New York. She then suggested small presses. I did that. Then COVID descended. No word from the small presses. I decided to take my novel in hand and approach a reputable hybrid press. I have not regretted that decision. She Writes Press has done an admirable job with up upcoming debut novel, About the Carleton Sisters. The novel is where it belongs. Thank you. I celebrate you prioritizing your health.
I appreciate your clear-headedness on this and how you've made a choice to move forward with your goals--not just your wildest dreams. You can have both, but if you can't adjust the dreams to other people's timelines and whatnot, real heartbreak can occur. Thanks for sharing your story, Dian!
Thanks, Laura, for supplying the opportunity to do and to hear other stories as sell. Love this interactive newsletter!
Such good information and perspective for all of us submitters, Laura. Thank you and do take good care. I'm hearing wonderful things about your new publicity service.
Thank you, Judy! It's tiptoe-style into this other arena--and definitely a learning curve in figuring out how to listen to my body and not lose hope when there's too much pain to function.
So glad you are getting some answers and finding a balance that works for you. Wishing you good health and stability in all you are endeavoring to do this year.
Thank you so much for your support. Health is one of those things that doesn't fit into neat categories, at least for me. Starting to see the scope and shape of what's going on, and how I can adjust my life to make space for disability, feels like a great step.
I have a funny question about the submittal process. I have worked hard consistently on my manuscript, but the truth is it has taken me approximately 10 years to finish it. Like a lot of other people, I have family obligations – two kids (I’d take summers and other periods off because my girls were LOUD and holy living terrors) a nonagenarian mother (90s), a busy husband, etc. My question: is this bad to admit it has taken me this long to finish the manuscript? Will it look bad, like I won’t be able to whip out another book if it comes to that? While I have been writing all my life, this is my first novel and I stumbled through it, learning a TON with only two short (zoom) writing classes. Thanks much for any input you have.
Hi Patty: Ten years is par for the course for a first novel. My motto is "keep going" and never give up. The novel will be judged on itself and not how long it took you to write it. You've learned how to write a novel. That's a big deal. The next one will come to you. Celebrate what you've done! It's taken me 25 years to get my sister novel published. I can't worry about it. I have two more waiting to go into the world.
Patty, Dian has given you great advice! I agree; my debut novel took 15 years, but I also raised two kids and started a small press in those 15 years. Books take however long they take, and especially first ones need to be wrestled, cajoled, etc.
Keep going! And if you start submitting and get rejections, start with revisiting your query letter unless you are offered specific manuscript advice that makes sense to you. Rejections are part of the process--and not a part that we can control by working harder or writing more. So prepare for that piece and pat yourself on the back for submitting, which is the piece you CAN control. (I have FEELINGS about all this!)
Lovely Laura.
DOH! I thought I responded to your answers!
Thank you, Dian and Laura, you've encouraged me. :)