The Coffee House of Pain

dawinsor · May 14, 2008

You're entitled to feel down sometimes, Colby. It would be unrealistic not to.

The thing is, you've had some encouraging reactions from agents too. And I assume you believe you're getting better as a writer. After all, you're practicing your craft and that usually means getting better. No one can promise you anything, but the chances are if you keep on writing and getting better, you'll eventually reach your goal.

Take heart. At least you now know a lot more about the business end of writing!

triceretops · May 14, 2008

Oh, my, yes. I certainly felt that my first book had a chance of being picked up by an agent, then the second one. It was the third that reached the holy place. Yet the two previous books sold much later through my own efforts, which told me it's a very subjective business, and individual tastes account for everything.

Lot's of timing and luck involved, besides a great book. That was the real eye-opener for me.

It seems I'm happiest just before the agent submission stage, when we both realize (or think) we have a hot property. Right now, I'm fighting with that stage and hope that an editor thinks so too.

Tri

Dragonfly45 · May 14, 2008

LOL, Tri...yes, that's the best time, when you have the highest of the highs of finishing and you still feel like it ROCKS! Thanks, everyone. I'm feeling much better this morning. I was just having a "moment!"

xiaotien · May 14, 2008

colby, i definitely was there.
knew exactly how you felt--
i had 9 partial requests and had R's
to all of them, i think.
(i'm leaving the final scary tally for after
i sell my book. ;*)

so i said to myself, great, i've got
a great query and premise and i can't
write a novel worth poo.

then i got a few agents who rejected
me who said, hey, you write GREAT but
sorry, this just will never sell in the current
YA market. hey! could you write [insert
other genre] instead? or if you have something
else, send it!

i wish i had the magic novel hat to
retrieve instant novels from!

it's a crazy rollery coaster process that
makes the best of us bipolar and neurotic.
hang in there and don't give up, colby!!

:Hug2:

Deb Kinnard · May 14, 2008

The Waiting Game

xiaotien said:
I'm leaving the final scary tally for after
i sell my book

By then, Xiao, you won't care. It's the publisher who says YES that counts.

My take, anyway, after 5 (actually 4.5 if you count the novella as half) sales and more "no-thanks" letters than I want to think about. Actually, I don't think about those very much.

But...if you want a "good rejection" story...I once got an e-mail rejection from an agent I'd never heard of, whom I'd never queried. It was worded something like "Sorry, your books are not a fit for us and we cannot offer you representation at this time."

I'm like, "Wha---?"

At that point the Bad Deb took over and I wrote the following e-mail in response: "Thank you for your e-mail. I regret to say that due to writing circumstances beyond my control, market factors, and the like, I am unable to accept unsolicited rejections at this time. Accordingly, I now consider yours my agency of record. I will expect your contract via snail mail and we can discuss the particulars of how I want to be represented."

I hit "send."

In reply I got the same e-mail back. I imagine this was a scam agency and they never read my clever reply.

My crit partner said, after this, "You're the only author I know who can get rejection slips when you don't send them your book."

Hang in there. Yeah, you've heard it before, but someday you will have contracts & funny stories.

Soccer Mom · May 14, 2008

Hugs and wine for Colby. We all have those down periods. This too shall pass.

Karen Duvall · May 14, 2008

Colby!!!! I hate that you're feeling blue! But I so get it. I've been writing seriously for about 15 years and have 2 published books with small presses, and one novella, but the brass ring has remained out of reach for some time now. Say, like, 15 freaking years! :tongue

Sometimes rewards come in small bits and pieces, and sometimes in big shiny packages with glitter and satin bows. If all you get are the pieces for now, it's enough. It's one step closer to your goal. It will happen.

So you have permission to wallow for one day, but that's all you get. Then it's back to the WIP! You know, that project that gives you butterflies every time you think about it? (I've got one of those, too) Return to your healthy day dreams of future publishing contracts! Keeping a positive attitude will make you feel better. Honest. :LilLove:

xiaotien · May 14, 2008

Deb Kinnard said:
By then, Xiao, you won't care. It's the publisher who says YES that counts.

probably not so much, deb.

but i wanted to share my query widely
tale to encourage writers to query widely.

and i can't share a good tale unless i actually
make the sale on the novel. haha!

Red-Green · May 14, 2008

*sigh* I join Colby in feeling generally glum, despite getting a nice rejection, a request for a rewrite, and a note from an editor saying "we're sending your story on to the next editorial level." All good things right? Except the novel query rejects continue to come. The cats are so disgusted by it that they puked on the last rejection letter I got. That's how I felt.

So I go on writing my trash, instead of working on real stuff. It's like a guilty writing vacation.

Sorry for everyone's rejections.

Tasmin21 · May 14, 2008

Well my one full request turned into a pass today. I'm rather torn on whether or not I should feel bummed. The agent had some REALLY great things to say about my writing (and my future as an author. From his lips to all the gods' ears, please). In the end, he loved my plot, but didn't dig on the MC. I find this interesting, since all along I have loved my character, but I questioned whether my plot was weak.

He says if I find myself revising in the future, to keep him in mind. All in all, I think this could almost count as a win.

dawinsor · May 14, 2008

That sounds good to me, Tas. Really good.

Karen Duvall · May 14, 2008

Wow, Tas, you're taking this really well. I'm super impressed. I'd be a blubbering fool, I'm afraid. Big bonus getting complimentary feedback like that. And as for the MC, it's probably personal taste. I love my MC, too, and I had an agent say she thought my MC was odd, which is kind of the point. Her peculiarities are what makes her who she is, and the plot itself hinges on that. So, you know, it's all subjective. Anyway, sorry about the R.

xiaotien · May 14, 2008

i'm sorry about the pass, tas, but you are so close!!!

did he offer specifics on why he didn't dig your
hero? it is very personal. it's crazy how subjective
it is. good luck!!

Tasmin21 · May 14, 2008

He said he didn't think the character was a developed and three-dimensional as he needed to be. Maybe when I find a stopping place with my current WIP, I'll swing back through Third Strike and see if I can pinpoint what he's talking about.

jgold · May 14, 2008

Tas, I'm sorry about the R. It's almost worse when it's personalized and complimentary, because you end up wondering why the agent couldn't have just taken a chance or liked it a little more or just said yes anyhow.

It's not much consolation, but at least you KNOW you've got what it takes. An agent wouldn't bother to say such nice things if they weren't true. It's only a matter of time.

But while you're waiting...send out a buttload of new queries.

Tasmin21 · May 14, 2008

send out a buttload of new queries.

I was thinking that very thing, jgold.

mikeland · May 14, 2008

Sorry about the Rs, Tas and Red. Requests for rewrites and personal feedback are definite indicators that your writing is darn good. It's just a matter of time.

But the close ones do have a special sting, don't they? I've had a few of those. My favorite was the rejection for a short story from a litmag -- they said that my story was the fourth best one they read for that issue ... but they had decided to only publish three stories. Ouch.

Dragonfly45 · May 14, 2008

Sorry to red and tas... we've just got to keep on keeping on. We're going to hit it right on one of these days guys, and we'll all be galloping over to the sunshine cafe for some midafternoon coffee and chocolate cake! Thanks to everyone who had kind words for me. I'm feeling much better and ready to churn out some WIP! I think sometimes it just takes me a good cry to get myself psyched up again. Got to chase the negatives out via the tear ducts and then shut off the tear ducts before postive escapes!

cate townsend · May 14, 2008

Sorry Tas, on the full R. But at least the agent took the time to personalize it. I've gotten two fulls rejected thus far and both were form rejections. If an agent takes the time to write a personal note, it's likely they believe you've got something close. Watch: the next agent will love your MC, hate the plot. Then the next one will love both, and I'll hear you partying over in the Sunshine Cafe.

Gray Rose · May 14, 2008

Sorry to hear that, Colby, Tas and Red.

Tas - that was actually very encouraging. Another agent out there might have no problems with your character. You're very close! Good luck with the next queries!

Red, your writing's great, please don't lose faith in yourself!

Colby, we all had those crappy days. Happy to hear you're feeling better though! A little bit of writing should make you feel better...

Shweta · May 15, 2008

I think it might be chocolate time, you guys. You're getting down.

If it continues beyond the chocolate it might be espresso time. Or maybe time for a softer keyboard:

Tburger · May 15, 2008

Gray Rose said:
The introducing/slush slot is intimidating, so I did not go that route. I submitted regularly through their very simple web form, received an acknowledgement within minutes, could track my status on a special web page, and got a personal rejection with comments within 3 days. This was a very simple and pleasant process. I will surely try them again.

I did the same thing - submitted via the web form. But reading the slush was educating in that it showed me just how much crud an editor has to wade through. And much of it wasn't crud; it was really good. It made me think about just how hard it is to get published. I prefer processes that move quickly, and their feature allowing you to track your story's progress - or lack thereof - is nice.

xiaotien · May 15, 2008

group hug!

everyone hang in there!
we'll be in the sunshine cafe soon!

(this journey is crazy hard--i try to
explain it to the hub and he just doesn't
GET IT, which i find annoying. thank the
writing gods for YOU GUYS!)

shweta, i <3 you for your random fotos.
they always make me laugh!

Tasmin21 · May 15, 2008

No rejection news yet today,but a bit dejected because hubby put in his two-weeks notice at his job (to move to a new job) and his boss went ahead and let him go. So that's two weeks of his income we won't have, and I'm not really sure how we're gonna swing that. *sigh* Maybe the new boss can get him on earlier or something. Hoping.

I have, however, discovered that it's impossible to feel gloomy while listening to "Magic Dance" from the Laybrinth soundtrack.

*blasts it from her boombox for the entertainment of all*

Calla Lily · May 15, 2008

for Tasmin. Hang in there.

The Coffee House of Pain

Dorothy A. Winsor

Purveyor of the Sparkly

bedazzled /bootay shaker!!

Crypto-fascist

Chalice the Hatchet Knight

bedazzled /bootay shaker!!

KoalaKoalaKoala!

They will come from below...

Dorothy A. Winsor

Chalice the Hatchet Knight

bedazzled /bootay shaker!!

They will come from below...

Grinning

They will come from below...

Call me Pookie

Purveyor of the Sparkly

Beware of the Thorns!

gone

Wahoowa

bedazzled /bootay shaker!!

They will come from below...

On hiatus