So much has been written about getting rejections from agents and publishers. All I can add it that it is all true. Last time I spoke to my writing-buddy Lizzie Gates (http://authorgym.wordpress.com) I told her that I was despondent. She still maintains that you can’t call yourself a writer and that you mustn’t allow yourself to be down-hearted until you’ve had at least thirty (yes, 30) rejections. My niece Katie Ward, whose lovely book Girl Reading was published by Virago this year, says thirty – and all the rest! To date, I have had four rejections and have not been short-listed for the two debut novel competitions I entered.
So now it’s back to the drawing board. I am looking at my journal and reminding myself of some of the basics:
· Research the agencies to be sure to approach the right ones
· Follow their guidelines – to the letter
· Know which authors/books you liken yourself/your book to (grammar!!)
· Welcome feedback and don’t be over-sensitive
· Persevere
· Use contacts shamelessly (I’ve never been able to do that for anything)
· Be professional (does that contradict the point above?)
I’m going back to Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook now to continue my quest.
Hello Annabel! I'm sorry to hear you're despondent. It is a difficult, lonely business, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteOne of your bullet points strikes a particular chord with me - 'don't be over-sensitive'. I think that as a writer, the more sensitive you are, the better your writing will be. But that is definitely at odds with the business of taking rejection after rejection, and having to use those contacts 'shamelessly' to get yourself out there. I have exactly the same problem.
One of the great things about the socal media is the fact that they help us realise we are not alone, whatever it is we're struggling to achieve. I'm glad I've found your blog, and I will enjoy following your story! Keep going!
Best wishes,
Sophie.
Don't give up! You will get there in the end. I hope they give you positive feedback which you can work with too.
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