The Daily Rejection, Vol. 2
- Thread starter Calla Lily
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Awww.... Thanks for the nanners, guys! 
Let's keep those fingers crossed again: two fulls and now three partials out.
Funaek - I love how your nephew already has part of your promotion plan done for you (extra copies, talks/readings at his school, etc)! So neat to have that level of enthusiasm from a member of your target audience!
Let's keep those fingers crossed again: two fulls and now three partials out. Funaek - I love how your nephew already has part of your promotion plan done for you (extra copies, talks/readings at his school, etc)! So neat to have that level of enthusiasm from a member of your target audience!
Congrats on the partial, MC 
My excitement for the day was my computer suddenly not taking my sign-on password. Tried repeatedly, so that wasn't the problem. This happened once before. I had to go to another computer and change my password, which they don't make easy.
So that's taken care of... until the next time.
Or maybe the day's excitement was using the wrong lid (I discovered) for a blender container and spraying the room and myself with bean sauce.
Revising my first three chapters turned out to be a pain. Echoes of my original chapter order keep showing up. Now I think I have it all fixed.
And I just got a form R on a long-outstanding query.
A fun day so far.
My excitement for the day was my computer suddenly not taking my sign-on password. Tried repeatedly, so that wasn't the problem. This happened once before. I had to go to another computer and change my password, which they don't make easy.
So that's taken care of... until the next time.
Or maybe the day's excitement was using the wrong lid (I discovered) for a blender container and spraying the room and myself with bean sauce.
Revising my first three chapters turned out to be a pain. Echoes of my original chapter order keep showing up. Now I think I have it all fixed.
And I just got a form R on a long-outstanding query.
A fun day so far.
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Cool! Best of luck.
And I just got a form R on a long-outstanding query.
A fun day so far.
Sorry to hear this. A couple of those have dribbled back for me recently too. Sigh. Those are hard ones. So anticlimactic. It's stupid, but the little irrational voice told me that if they skipped, then sat on mine for so long, it must mean they were considering it seriously and would at least provide a more personalized rejection.
But no.
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This is a very well-regarded agency I've had on my "to be queried" list for a long time. The agent I wanted to query there was closed to subs, but they've recently picked up a new agent who seems especially interested in SF and F (she doesn't have a ton of other genres on her wish list, unlike the other agent, where SF and F is one of many). So I queried her.
But the book proposal thingy is a recent addition to their site. I googled "fiction book proposal," and found this explanation of what one is, which seems to be the nature of what they're talking about. It looks like sort of an enhanced query but with more attention to your social media presence and where you think your novel fits into the market. I can certainly make one, but it will be pretty nascent (I ha blog with tens of followers, tweet sporadically, belong to AW and some other writer's forums, and am active on facebook). I agree that if they show serious interest in my MS (as if) and then R me because my book proposal is pretty perfunctory at this point, then they probably aren't a very good fit for a first-time author.
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Very quick form R on a query. I'm beginning to suspect the UK market is a better fit for my MG manuscript. I now have just that 1 full outstanding and am busy with other things while I wait for the 8-10 week deadline. I think I'll have a break now and start querying British agents widely if the response is a no. Plus it's winter here..already feel like hibernating...
So I know you're not supposed to query agents and pubs at the same time, but during PitMad a small pub replied to one of my pitches in a way that showed me that they got the concept of my MS, which gave me a really good feeling. So after hemming and hawing for a couple days, I sent them the query and first 5000 words. Today they asked for the full.
This is my first full request from actual pages, and not from a pitch. So this is a pretty huge deal for me. The pub seems to have a good bill of health here on AW, and I feel like I've knocked out the red flags that you'd usually look for. So... there's that. I'm pretty excited.
This is my first full request from actual pages, and not from a pitch. So this is a pretty huge deal for me. The pub seems to have a good bill of health here on AW, and I feel like I've knocked out the red flags that you'd usually look for. So... there's that. I'm pretty excited.
Well, that's pretty exciting, Jeneral! Good luck!
I do get that technically we're not supposed to query agents and pubs at the same time, but sometimes, opportunities arise and we'd be silly not to pounce on them. Here's hoping whatever's best for you and your book happens... and SOON!
Australian River and Hathor - Sorry about the latest Rs!
Hathor - Have some nice Revision Rum from me!
Good luck! I do get that technically we're not supposed to query agents and pubs at the same time, but sometimes, opportunities arise and we'd be silly not to pounce on them. Here's hoping whatever's best for you and your book happens... and SOON! Australian River and Hathor - Sorry about the latest Rs!
Hathor - Have some nice Revision Rum from me!
Thanks, y'all! The more I think about this particular book, the more I feel like it's smaller press kind of book. It's a shorter contemp romance with what I think is a unique concept, so I would frankly love to get it into a smaller house. The WIP I'm working on now feels a little bigger, and I think I would aim it more toward agents. I'm trying not to jump the gun but it was really exciting to get that email. 
Hi everyone!
for any and all requests. for the R's.
Am I the only one thrown by AW's new look? This is my first time on in a while. Not sure how I feel about it...
for any and all requests. for the R's. Am I the only one thrown by AW's new look? This is my first time on in a while. Not sure how I feel about it...
Am I the only one thrown by AW's new look? This is my first time on in a while. Not sure how I feel about it...
Yeah. It took a bit of getting used to, but to be honest, I no longer remember what the old look used to be like, exactly. (Yes, my attention span is that tiny).
Small update on the bouncing email: it bounced again when sent from an entirely different email addy/server.
Dunno what to make of that. Aaand... in completely unrelated news, turns out Sister-in-law most likely does NOT have ALS, but its lesser known (and less horribly deadly) cousin, PLS (primary lateral sclerosis). Not what you'd say awesome news, because it still sucks that she has any motor neuron disease whatsoever, but at least PLS seems to be the lesser of two evils. Nothing 100 per cent confirmed yet, but that's the diagnosis they're leaning towards right now. Man, I wish these things weren't so friggin' hard to diagnose! We've been sitting on pins and needles for months and I can't even begin to imagine what Sister-in-law herself is going through!
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Yeah. It took a bit of getting used to, but to be honest, I no longer remember what the old look used to be like, exactly. (Yes, my attention span is that tiny).
Small update on the bouncing email: it bounced again when sent from an entirely different email addy/server.
Sounds like the problem is on their end. Not a good sign, honestly, as any business that is in good fettle should notice that they've got an e-mail problem.
That's a disease that progresses much more slowly and isn't fatal, though it still sucks. No neurological disease is good news, of course, but I can't think of many with a worse prognosis than ALS.
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Good luck, Jeneral!
Moonchild, thanks for the revision rum. Maybe that will make the words come more easily. Either that or I'll say, "To hell with my betas; I like the way it is!"
Sorry about the probable PLS, but I'm glad it's not ALS and she is closing in on an official diagnosis now. My brother-in-law went through this long torturous process to get a diagnosis: Stroke? Brain tumor? Lime disease (actually had long, invasive treatment for that)? Finally, they said MS. The diagnosis came as a relief. It's hard to cope with uncertainty. What do you expect? What do you research? What specialists do you look for?
Moonchild, thanks for the revision rum. Maybe that will make the words come more easily. Either that or I'll say, "To hell with my betas; I like the way it is!"
Sorry about the probable PLS, but I'm glad it's not ALS and she is closing in on an official diagnosis now. My brother-in-law went through this long torturous process to get a diagnosis: Stroke? Brain tumor? Lime disease (actually had long, invasive treatment for that)? Finally, they said MS. The diagnosis came as a relief. It's hard to cope with uncertainty. What do you expect? What do you research? What specialists do you look for?
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Moonchild, thanks for the revision rum. Maybe that will make the words come more easily. Either that or I'll say, "To hell with my betas; I like the way it is!"
Eh, that's fair.
Sorry about your brother-in-law! Waiting for a diagnosis can be exhausting! Like you say: once you know what it is, at least you can move forward with treatment or management options, instead of being in a perpetual state of Limbo.
I think, whenever Sister-in-Law's diagnosis gets finalized, everyone's going to sigh with relief. Heck, for the past three years, we were all convinced she had MS. Then her latest MRI (or other scan thingy--sorry, I don't know all their names and what differentiates a PET scan from a CAT scan from an MRI) came through and her doctor tossed out the scary ALS thought. Now her neurologist seems to think it's PLS, but for all anyone knows, it could still be neither and be MS after all. Talk about a roller coaster!
At this point, we're all pretty much going, 'anything, but ALS!'
Yay! I made it through 80 pages of WIP, including fixing (or trying to fix) the Crowd Scene From Hell. Again. I think I'm going to reward myself with some of that virtual rum.
Tomorrow I'm going for a mainly beta day with only a few, easy revisions of my own work every so often to give me a sense of progress. I've discovered I have difficulty concentrating on two books on the same day.
Tomorrow I'm going for a mainly beta day with only a few, easy revisions of my own work every so often to give me a sense of progress. I've discovered I have difficulty concentrating on two books on the same day.
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Well, I got a fast turnaround on the pitmad request I sent in on the 6th. A form reject, but with my first genuine line of specific feedback about the story, though it's frustrating, because it's not something I can really "fix," and of course, what if it's personal taste anyway?
Basically, she wasn't a big fan of character A's (the MMC) narrative, though she did like character B (the FMC).
So does this mean I suck at writing dudes after all? But no, several male readers said I did good there. A couple were even surprised to find out I was female IRL. Maybe I did the male pov too well, since this agent was female, maybe she doesn't like dude voice and just prefers stories with female narratives overall? Or maybe she doesn't like that my dude's narrative voice has a bit of profanity in it and he's a bit cynical early on in the story, and the stuff happening to him is grittier and darker (he does soften as the story progresses as part of his arc). I am using the technique where I let the character's voices imbue the close limited third narrative. Could this be the issue? Should I change it so it's 100% her pov (some readers commented that they like my MMC, who is a very flawed person who doesn't like himself much, especially early on) when they see him through her eyes. But this would be a huge change in the story.
Bleh. Sometimes a little information is worse than none at all. She did say to "keep going with it" at the end, though they probably say that to everyone. I mean, has an agent ever told a queryer to give up on a MS?
Basically, she wasn't a big fan of character A's (the MMC) narrative, though she did like character B (the FMC).
So does this mean I suck at writing dudes after all? But no, several male readers said I did good there. A couple were even surprised to find out I was female IRL. Maybe I did the male pov too well, since this agent was female, maybe she doesn't like dude voice and just prefers stories with female narratives overall? Or maybe she doesn't like that my dude's narrative voice has a bit of profanity in it and he's a bit cynical early on in the story, and the stuff happening to him is grittier and darker (he does soften as the story progresses as part of his arc). I am using the technique where I let the character's voices imbue the close limited third narrative. Could this be the issue? Should I change it so it's 100% her pov (some readers commented that they like my MMC, who is a very flawed person who doesn't like himself much, especially early on) when they see him through her eyes. But this would be a huge change in the story.
Bleh. Sometimes a little information is worse than none at all. She did say to "keep going with it" at the end, though they probably say that to everyone. I mean, has an agent ever told a queryer to give up on a MS?
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Just checking in. I don't often have much to report anymore but I always swing by here a few times a day to see how you're all getting on. I hope to see many more bananas in the imminent future.
I'm editing the New Shiny this week, and plotting a Newer Shiny. And still not reading. Like, not at all. I've just stopped cold. I've gone from reading 8-10 books a month to zero. Maybe it's fatigue, or something? Who knows. Got my phone call with Lovely Agent a week today to discuss the re-write.
Also, my Kinesis keyboard is working like a charm! I think I'm over the learning curve, and my RSI pains are gone!! Brilliant buy, I highly recommend. I think I'll do a proper review of it on the blog when I've had it a month.
Happy Tuesday!!
I'm editing the New Shiny this week, and plotting a Newer Shiny. And still not reading. Like, not at all. I've just stopped cold. I've gone from reading 8-10 books a month to zero. Maybe it's fatigue, or something? Who knows. Got my phone call with Lovely Agent a week today to discuss the re-write.
Also, my Kinesis keyboard is working like a charm! I think I'm over the learning curve, and my RSI pains are gone!! Brilliant buy, I highly recommend. I think I'll do a proper review of it on the blog when I've had it a month.
Happy Tuesday!!
Roxx -- I wouldn't change your MS just because of what one agent said. This is your story! If it resonates with you the way it is--if you have a reason to do it the way you have, and certainly if betas have liked it that way--persevere. Agents disagree about manuscripts all the time.
LGG -- good luck with your shinies and LA. I'm glad to hear the keyboard works and has eliminated your pain.
The latest book I picked up to read for pleasure has put me in a quandary. I'm interested in the story. I like the author. Only she's started out with all this exposition and data-dumping about her characters and world. WAA. Unfair. I'm not allowed to do that. Also, I discovered the story is a rewrite of something I was thinking I might do at some point. (This is part of a series so I didn't research what the book was about. I bought Volume I for book 1 and decided to go ahead and read book 2. I usually have some clue what I'm going to read)
LGG -- good luck with your shinies and LA. I'm glad to hear the keyboard works and has eliminated your pain.
The latest book I picked up to read for pleasure has put me in a quandary. I'm interested in the story. I like the author. Only she's started out with all this exposition and data-dumping about her characters and world. WAA. Unfair. I'm not allowed to do that. Also, I discovered the story is a rewrite of something I was thinking I might do at some point. (This is part of a series so I didn't research what the book was about. I bought Volume I for book 1 and decided to go ahead and read book 2. I usually have some clue what I'm going to read
)
Hathor -- hope you enjoyed the virtual rum, sounds like you made a lot of progress!
Roxx -- I agree with Hathor, don't change your MS based on one agent. I think conventional wisdom is that if you get consistently the same feedback - like if 10 agents say the same element is problematic, then it's worth thinking about. But it's more likely that 10 people will say 10 different things, and you're pretty much free to take it with a grain of salt. One of my Rs I got back after PitchMas last year said she loved the concept, but couldn't connect with the MC. Whoops. But the epub that requested the full said she connected with the MC right away. So who knows.
LGG -- Yay for New Shinys! And for not being in pain! Both are equally excellent.
Took one more spin through my MS last night, found a couple typos and tightened up a couple things, then sent it off to epub last night. Now back to waiting... And waiting... and waiting...
Roxx -- I agree with Hathor, don't change your MS based on one agent. I think conventional wisdom is that if you get consistently the same feedback - like if 10 agents say the same element is problematic, then it's worth thinking about. But it's more likely that 10 people will say 10 different things, and you're pretty much free to take it with a grain of salt. One of my Rs I got back after PitchMas last year said she loved the concept, but couldn't connect with the MC. Whoops. But the epub that requested the full said she connected with the MC right away. So who knows.
LGG -- Yay for New Shinys! And for not being in pain! Both are equally excellent.
Took one more spin through my MS last night, found a couple typos and tightened up a couple things, then sent it off to epub last night. Now back to waiting... And waiting... and waiting...
Happy Tuesday, everyone.
Another small batch of queries sent out this morning. *fingers crossed* Otherwise, inbox full of crickets. Not even any short story responses.
Consolation cookies to Moonchild & Funaek & Hathor & Australian River & Roxxsmom
Moonchild - And you get one of these guys as well!
Also, glad to hear your sister-in-law's diagnosis wasn't ALS! Must be a huge relief!
Hathor - Sorry to hear your computer is gaining sentience and conspiring against you. Hate it when that happens.
Also, YAY for a beta day! (*feels special*)
Jeneral -
Roxxsmom - Honestly, I wouldn't read too much into that response unless you get other agents telling you that POV doesn't work for them either.
LGG - I go through reading droughts sometimes. This past month was bad for me. I think I "DNF"ed (did not finish) about half a dozen books. I just couldn't get into them. Fortunately, the one I'm really now has great British humor and time travel, so it's a win for me
Anyway, hope everyone has a fabulous day and good news in their inboxes! More bananas!!
Another small batch of queries sent out this morning. *fingers crossed* Otherwise, inbox full of crickets. Not even any short story responses.
Consolation cookies to Moonchild & Funaek & Hathor & Australian River & Roxxsmom
Moonchild - And you get one of these guys as well!
Also, glad to hear your sister-in-law's diagnosis wasn't ALS! Must be a huge relief!
Hathor - Sorry to hear your computer is gaining sentience and conspiring against you. Hate it when that happens.
Also, YAY for a beta day! (*feels special*)
Jeneral -
Roxxsmom - Honestly, I wouldn't read too much into that response unless you get other agents telling you that POV doesn't work for them either.
LGG - I go through reading droughts sometimes. This past month was bad for me. I think I "DNF"ed (did not finish) about half a dozen books. I just couldn't get into them. Fortunately, the one I'm really now has great British humor and time travel, so it's a win for me
Anyway, hope everyone has a fabulous day and good news in their inboxes! More bananas!!
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Moonchild, soo glad your SIL didn't get the dread diagnosis. My mom goes in for some pretty serious surgery later this month, so I know the feelings of stress.
Sorry for all the R's lately. As tough as they are, they're part of the process. Just ask . . . everyone!
Today I'm getting scheduled maintenance on my car and plan to wait (two hours) for it to be done. I'm taking my WIP, and a novel I started reading last night. We'll see which one gets my attention.
Hathor, your Crowd Scene From Hell sounds like fun.
Sorry for all the R's lately. As tough as they are, they're part of the process. Just ask . . . everyone!
Today I'm getting scheduled maintenance on my car and plan to wait (two hours) for it to be done. I'm taking my WIP, and a novel I started reading last night. We'll see which one gets my attention.
Hathor, your Crowd Scene From Hell sounds like fun.
I hope your mom does fine. Stuff like this sure puts rejections in perspective.
They are a part of the process. And those rare folks who get success with little to no rejection? Don't we all secretly hate them? And who wants to be hated?
I dislike waiting around when I haven't planned ahead. It looks like you have, though.
I meant hell in the sense that it has been hell to write. I have lots of primary characters, even more bit players, screaming, confusion, and then the need to have an important, multi-sided conversation without becoming tell-y or the bit players getting in the way. I had problems writing it initially and now have rewritten it twice in response to beta comments. I do hope this version finally works. I'm sick of the scene.
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