Rejected, Again

Have you tried passing your query through Evil Editor?
He still needs some to review on his blog.
http://www.evileditor.blogspot.com

First of all, let me hand you some chocolate. I know this part of the process is so very, very hard.

Secondly, tell us how many queries you've sent out. I sent out 76 queries in two months before I realized I had a horrid title and a lame query letter. I revised the query letter, changed the title, and queried over 150 agents (requeried all the ones I'd queried the first time around as part of that number), garnering 23 reads and two offers of representation.

Thirdly, are you including the first chapter in your queries? That seemed to help me.

Lastly, have you passed your first chapter or two through SYW or a reliable beta reader? You might need to sharpen up that first chapter to make agents request more.

I wish you all the best and hope you find success soon. Don't give up! I know it's hard!

NiennaC said:

This is just so frustrating, and I need to vent, so here goes: I started this process three months ago, and I've sent out tons of queries, and I haven't gotten a request yet. I even had the people at SYW edit my query a week ago, and still more rejection...I just feel like giving up and going home - except, I don't want to, because then I'm not even giving my work a chance, because no one's read it yet.

I'm so frustrated.

I'm wondering if I should just self publish? I don't really want to...but, it's just...no one is ever going to read the book otherwise and having two people buy and read it from my local book store would be better than no one at all.

So frustrated...

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Settle down, settle down. Three months, that's all? I hate to tell you this but that's not long, not long at all. First be sure you're querying the right people - that what you've written is a genre they represent or publish. It's far too early to think about self publishing. This is the most frustrating part of writing. You want it published and you want it published now! You think it's great, your readers think it's great so why don't they want it!!! I understand. I've been there. Take a deep breath. Do your research and keep at it. Be determined. Be patient. And good luck to you!
Linnea

I have only one thing to add to the great advice already cited. Please remember that many first novels don't get published. I hope yours is the exception, but make sure you're not sticking all those eggs in one basket. Write your next novel while you query. The query process takes FOREVER, so don't just wait around. Write, write, write.

All the best!!

Caro girl is right, but I'll add this: about a hundred years ago a guy named George M. Cohan thought he had some great material to sell to Broadway. He was rejected or kicked out of hundred different producers offices with what they called garbage. Well, one day he lucked out and found a guy to produce his stuff who really didn't know a thing about show business. As you probably know that guy wrote Yankee Doodle Dandy, "It's a grand ol' flag", and the war theme "Over There" for which he eventually earned the C.M.H award. My point is that only you... or we... believe in our writing and it's up to us to push it and put it in front of people again and again. If you believe, then you will make someone else believe, don't let some jerk with a NO win, that's bullshit. Keep submitting... don...

*hands chocolate over* have some, you'll feel better. I promise.

okay. the good news is it's not your book. they aren't rejecting your book. which sucks, yes. but it's also good news. which means you can't give up yet.

no. we won't let you. more than 2 people deserve to read your book.

(you revised your query a week ago? any rejections off that version? Can you repost it, take it to crapometer, evileditor? try'em all. and Just Me has a good ques, are you including at least the first 3 pages when you can?)

I'm so sorry you're feeling bad right now. It does, it sort of beats you down. But don't give up.

Deep breath, have some more chocolate. You can and will do this.

This process is a roller coaster - very tough on the emotions - I put on just under ten pounds over the six months I was querying due to emotional angst (which led to eating junk food.)

Here's hoping you can resist the pantry more than I can...

Doubtful, when I got the rejection I went and ate four doughnuts. [/quote]

I know.... For me it's anything sweet in the house... brownies, donuts, ice cream... as if by eating I will not stress over the waiting, waiting, waiting - that TORTUROUS waiting!

I'm hoping I'll handle submission to editors better than I did to agents. I feel much calmer right now. Kind of like selling my book is my agent's job, writing book two is my job. We'll see if this serenity lasts or if once we're on submission I'm back to crazy obsession with my email again.

Sorry to hear of your frustrations. Vent your feelings and let them out. Take a day or two and just totally chill. Clear you head and then come get back on the horse. Be it submitting you query or writing your next work.

We are with you.

Kevvers

NiennaC said:

Doubtful, when I got the rejection I went and ate four doughnuts.

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You know how guys who neck the ale a lot get 'beer bellies'? Well, I reckon we writers are very much in danger of getting 'rejection tummy' - a layer of fat, varying in size, which is a result of all the sweet stuff and gin consumed with each rejection. Mine is coming along nicely.

zahra said:

You know how guys who neck the ale a lot get 'beer bellies'? Well, I reckon we writers are very much in danger of getting 'rejection tummy' - a layer of fat, varying in size, which is a result of all the sweet stuff and gin consumed with each rejection. Mine is coming along nicely.

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Rejection tummy?