Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Before and After - Receiving Rejection Letters

Me before in 2008- Kisses manila envelope before sending it off to postman. "Good luck my friend."

Me after in 2012- Emails query letters to agents while old box of manila envelopes are filling with cobwebs. “Yeah, the cleaning lady is on her break.”




Me before in 2008- Sees a manila envelope with familiar handwriting in mailbox and gets super excited. "Yes, they are interested!!"



Me after in 2012- Sees agent has sent response email only two days later but still manages to have a smidgen of hope. "Should I open it and just get it done with already?!?"




Me before in 2008 - Has just read first rejection letter. Self esteem crumbles to floor. "What do I have to do to make it perfect- Grrr?"


Me after in 2012 - Has just received 40th rejection letter. "What do I have to do to make it perfect- Grrr?" Between all the agents and publishing houses I’ve heard back from, I’m happy to say my self esteem is still intact. I'm not quite sure how it is, but what's left to do but get back on that horse again, right!?  
(btw - The rejection letters are getting better - they now come with complements)




When you get a rejection letter back do you revise your ms right away, put it aside for awhile, keep sending it or do you trash it? What's your process?

Also, I entered into a picture contest over at Susanna Hill’s blog today, please come check it out.  I need all the advice I can get for it. Thanks so much!!

18 comments:

  1. Easier said than done, but, if you believe in your manuscript, don't let one rejection letter frustrate you. Keep sending it out. Every writer goes through this. Some keep their rejection letters. I'm not sure why; I've always tossed mine unless they contained positive comments.

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    1. You are absolutely right Jude. Thanks for your helpful advice and for stopping by today!

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  2. Ha! This is so true. Rejection letters are tough, but they make you stronger. I'm so glad you've taken them as a challenge to improve your writing. That's what I do too!

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    1. That's good to hear you are doing the same Emily. Thanks for your visit

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  3. I like your then and now comparison. So true!

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  4. Oh so funny and so not funny at the same time. I think my only comfort is that every magazine and publishing house is barraged with entries. When I think there might be something wrong with the manuscript, I revise as quickly as possible and send it back out. When I think it might just be a volume issue/good fit, I send it back out to someone else.

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    1. That's wonderful you keep at it too! Thanks for dropping by kirsten :)

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  5. I think this post should be required reading for new writers. It's difficult to understand the process until you've lived it or see that it's a long process. Last year at a conference, I overheard a woman saying her husband told her she'd better get an agent. That always worried me. :( Thanks for sharing your experience and I'm glad you are still writing and submitting.

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    1. Yes, I wish I knew the process ahead of time. For a while I was so confused on whether to get an agent. Thanks for stopping by Stacy.

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  6. This post made me giggle. I thought you and I were twinsies or something.

    Look. We all get the rejection letters. That comes with the territory. But it will be worth it in the end. *wink*

    I submitted a short story and heard this week it will be published in an anthology. My first publication! So thrilled. But I still have picture books and my MG novel to submit. But this publication will help me some. I'll be able to stick it in my query.

    Great post. Loved reading it. *waving*

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    1. That's wonderful Robyn! Big CONGRATS!! Keep us updated when the anthology comes out and best of luck with the MG novel and pb submissions.

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  7. At least you have a sense of humor. I agree with Stacy about new writers needing to read this post. And what about the husband who told his wife who was attending a conference , "you had better get an agent."? How horrific. One of most difficult things about being a writer ( pre-published) is that non writers often have a distorted and unrealistic understanding of the process.

    I am hopping around trying to read all of the blog post for my "Get Fired Up " blogfest. I hope to announce the winners of the "help or mentor a new, struggling or undiscovered blogger" category along with the randomly selected winners on Monday. I hope you are having a good weekend.

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  8. Thanks for dropping by Melissa. I totally forgot about posting on March 1st for Get Fired Up. :/ That stinks. Well, best of luck to the winners. I'll stop in Monday and check them out.

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  9. I don't bother revising right away.. I make a "Feedback Folder" for the WIP and then when I get around to it, all the hoopla is in one spot!

    Genius... but I'm still unpublished :)

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    1. I like that idea. I might start doing that. Thanks for sharing Mark!

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  10. Jennifer keep sending those envelopes and keep checking the mail. One day you will go to the mailbox and there it will be, a "we want letter" ! :) I do not revise write away either. I find it better to put it away for a while then revisit the manuscript with fresh eyes and clarity of thought. Don't forget to celebrate the little things.:) Your day will come!!!! You are so creative.

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    1. Thank you Cheryl! You're so sweet to say that. Great advice on how to deal with those pesky letter. Also think it's important to celebrate the little things. Thanks for the reminder.

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