If you were by here last Friday, you will have read my post, I'm A Real Writer Now. It was all about getting my first rejection letter from a publisher. Some of you (most? all?) probably already joined the club a long time ago, but for me, it was my first experience with a publisher submission.
I took part in an editor-judged query contest. The good news is that I was a runner-up! I was seriously thrilled. She requested my first three chapters.
The bad news is after reading my first three chapters, she declined to request the full manuscript. The rejection was very kind, with the editor saying my work was really close but not quite there yet and she'd like to see other work from me.
Well, you know how it is. I started over-thinking it, and wondering things like, "what exactly is wrong with it?" and "what do you mean it's close?" Because seriously, just tell me and I'll try to fix it. And then you wonder if she "got it." Because my work is slated as a YA Paranormal Mystery Series, but the way I look at it, it's more of a YA Paranormal "Cozy" Mystery Series with a lot of mishaps, sort of like Scooby Doo Meets Nancy Drew.
And then I think, "well if she didn't 'get it', it's my fault for not getting 'it' across in my writing."
You all know how the evil mastermind Lord Mind-Chatter works!
Alas, I got it off my chest.
And I'm moving forward.
Thanks for listening!
How did your month go? Are you making progress?
I feel a little nervous about saying things are going well for me....At the moment, next month could turn into thing rotten, but hey hoo that's life as a writer.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your writing projects.
Paula, we definitely don't want to jinx ourselves by saying the "G" word!
DeleteThat is a great yet frustrating rejection. Great that the editor would be happy to see more of your stuff. Frustration because if you don't know what's broken, how can you fix it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your projects and querying. :)
Stina, thanks - yeah, it was a great rejection. Isn't that called an oxymoron?
DeleteI get that too. What I'm told is that it's good when editors want to see more or are interested in any way. I think this means we at least get their attention.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Journaling Woman, that's a great way of looking at it - I like that!
DeleteIt's tough not getting the specifics of what didn't work. But on the bright side, they are interested in seeing more of your work and that's great! Keeping my fingers crossed for ya! (:
ReplyDeleteElise, yes I must look on the bright side and quit trying to dissect it:)
DeleteWell done for surviving the first rejectiong! (Which doesn't sound too bad if she first requested three chapters and only then, very kindly, rejected the rest ;-) )
ReplyDeleteI could say I'm not a real writer, as I've never queried a publisher before, but I'm not gonna go there! I'm happy just calling myself a writer ;-)
And, um, that should obviously have said "rejection" and not "rejectiong"!
ReplyDelete"Tell me so I can fix it." That sounds familiar! The editor wants to see more though - that's a good thing. Mean she liked your style.
ReplyDeleteAlex, she does want to see more so that's really cool:)
DeleteYes, always look on the bright side! She did ask for 3 chapters and did request other work. If you have anything, send it to her now. If you don't, write something:) These opportunities are golden:) ~gOOd luCK!!
ReplyDeleteJamie, I follow her blog - I can always stalk her!
DeleteHi Gwen,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was great to at least be chosen as a runner up. Bittersweet, right? But your stuff is really good and it is fantastic she wants to see more! That's got to be sweet to hear:) I send you the best wishes for future submissions. Hopefully, the next one will be a winner:)
Talynn
Talynn, I was thrilled to be a runner-up! And you're right, it's really good she wants to see more. But you know how doubts creep in. But I'm just going to keep on plugging away:)
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ReplyDeleteyes, the rejection. its not you its me. so what can i do to make you like me? and thats just it, we cant, we must keep improving our writing and move on until we find that perfect soulmate fit!
ReplyDeleteTara, you're right. There's always room for improvement - it's called experience and I need more, lol:)
DeleteOh well, at least she wanted to read more! I have left you a little something on my post for you to pick up! Hope it cheers you up a little.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, yes. That's a good thing:)
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