First Rejection (Soccer Mom Style)

Woo hoo! Rejections!!! You're in the game!

See my sig.

Also if you look close, that cat is actually licking his lips. It's a subliminal message. You really do want those rejections!

Have some chocolate. Maybe some Godiva liquor. Hang in there!

Rhino-hide does indeed take time.
I third the chocolate and booze approach.

Hang tough, sweetie...I love the kitty picture!

Dang. I was hoping I could pick up some rhino-hide cheap on ebay.

For me they get easier, until I suddenly get one that manages to get under my skin (got two like that recently). Then I get a sale, even a small one, and all is good.

Good work, Az. Now you're hooked.

Now for part 2. You did send it right out again, right?

It's definitely easier as you get more. Well... okay, let me qualify that. It's easier for me because I started with short stories. I would get like 50 rejections and then... I'd sell one. Start over. It became like a game. With novels it's more like "Write novel, get fifty rejections, write another novel, get fifty rejections..." The process is much, much longer.

I think as long as, every once in a while, I get that note that says something like, "Your writing is excellent, this is just not for me," or whatever, I'm okay. Actually, as long as I get a request for a full now and then, I'm happy as a clam because I know I'm getting somewhere.

Mostly, I think it's being able to have the confidence in your writing to say, "Okay, so maybe they didn't want it, but somebody will."

Just like someday, not everyone who goes into the scifi/fantasy section in the bookstore (or wherever you are) is going to pick up your novel and decide to buy it. But SOME of them are, and that will be enough.

Cats have lips. I think. Well, one of mine does. Big, funny-looking ones. But anyway, I'm sorry. That still stinks. But Jo's right. It means you're in the game--a HUGE accomplishment. So drink up, have a disgusting amount of chocolate and send that baby back out.

Twizzle said:

Cats have lips. I think. Well, one of mine does. Big, funny-looking ones. But anyway, I'm sorry. That still stinks. But Jo's right. It means you're in the game--a HUGE accomplishment. So drink up, have a disgusting amount of chocolate and send that baby back out.

Click to expand...

That's right, I forgot to add: Chocolate fixes everything.

Azraelsbane said:

Yup, got my first rejection today. Form, of course. E-mail. *sigh* I'm off to a strong start!

Click to expand...

First blood is a start!

Karen Joy Fowler got many rejections before being published. As she filed each one, she'd say, "one more editor who tried to stop me -- and failed."

I'm actually going to tell you congratulations, but it is a big accomplishment to send something out. But, rejections do still stink. You'll eventually get where they don't really bother you as much.

Hang in there, buddy! I hit 21 rejections before getting a request for more, but now I've gotten a request for a partial and today a req. for a full from a different agent...so the main thing is that there's not magic number...just keep on submitting until you get it to the right person. Good luck!

Mor hugz 4 u

Oh, and might I also say that my first partial request came the Sunday after I had gotten eight rejections in one day...so you never can tell when that tide is going to turn...

Not that this is a cheery thought, but most agencies say that if you send a query they think better suits someone else at their agency, they will pass it on.

So there's still hope! Wait a few months and then query the one you actually intended. In the meantime, maybe send out a couple more queries.

Hang in there. I know you will. You have this burning urge to make it. I have full faith in you.

Best of luck!

It does depend on the agency, though. If it's a bigger one like Writer's House and Trident Media, many people have queried multiple agents there.