Wednesday, May 18, 2011

A Round of Rejection...yay!

Caspian Terns dive into water to fish, just like I'm diving into publishing.
I received the nicest rejection letter yesterday.  I actually re-read it because it made me happy.

It made me happy because the editor liked my story.  He kept it longer than normal but, in the end, he decided not to publish it.

But he still liked it.

He is actually the first book publisher who told me he liked my manuscript.  And that made me happy.

It also motivated me to polish up some more manuscripts and send them off.  Somewhere, there is an editor who will not only like one of my stories, but will think that it is in his best interest to offer me a contract.

In the meantime, I always appreciate stories like these:

**  Judy Blume said, "For two years I received nothing but rejections. One magazine, Highlights for Children, sent a form letter with a list of possible reasons for rejection. "Does not win in competition with others," was always checked off on mine. I still can't look at a copy of Highlights without wincing."  She's now written over two dozen books.

**  J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter book was rejected by twelve publishers.  Bloomsbury finally accepted it, but only because the CEO's eight-year old daughter wanted her daddy to publish it.

**  A San Francisco newspaper once told Rudyard Kipling, "I'm sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you don't know how to use the English language." 

Why does hearing about successful author's rejections make me feel even better?  I keep hoping that one day my story will read like theirs: "Carla had many rejections before her first book sold.  She's since written dozens of award-winning books for children and adults.  She saw each rejection as a chance to improve her writing and hone her craft.  She encourages new writers to keep their spirits high and their pencils flying."  Yeah, I do actually think stuff like that.  Call me crazy!

11 comments:

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

You're not crazy. Keeping working and it could happen.

nutschell said...

Carla,
I totally agree. And I'm glad he wrote you a nice rejection letter. Some editors/agents don't even have time to respond with one! Don't worry, all these rejections will seem like a dream once you actually get published. :)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Debbie Maxwell Allen said...

How funny that we were on the same wavelength today! I'm so excited about your "good" rejection.

~Debbie

Laura S. said...

That's really awesome, Carla! Your writing must be just about nearly there. Before you know it you'll be getting THE CALL!!!

Carla said...

Thanks Susan! I can definitely keep working!

It's so true, Nutschell...that's why I was so happy about his nice letter!

Thanks, Debbie! I totally enjoyed your post about the good that can come from rejections!

Thanks Laura! The call would be seriously awesome.

Carla

Anonymous said...

Great post! And I agree, the personal rejection letter is something to smile about.

D. U. Okonkwo said...

Great post, and congrats on such great feedback. You've got the right attitude. Are you also looking for agents? I had an agent earlier this year who wanted to take me on, but because her colleague got sick and had to leave, the agent suddenly had a heavier workload. Was touch to take but hey, ho.

Just keep at it, which is what the best writers do :o)

Corey Schwartz said...

There's nothing like a "great rejection" letter. Way to go! :)

Mandy C said...

Hearing about the failure of successful authors is very inspiring. My wishes go out to you, Carla, and I hope you make it to the big leagues.

MTeacress said...

I agree - you're not crazy. At the last conference I attended, they made an entire presentation on the struggles famous authors initially had to endure. Good luck!

Carla said...

Thanks, Mgudlewski! There's a lot of reasons to smile in life, but certainly was a good one.

Thanks, DU! That would be frustrating, but you're right...you just carry on!

Thanks, Corey!

It's so true, Mandy!

Michelle, that sounds luck a presentation I would enjoy!

Carla

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