tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post2570075047221598995..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: Rejection Letters, The Good and the BadMissy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-2996146511821120622020-06-29T06:24:04.128-04:002020-06-29T06:24:04.128-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05427173717615728463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-17742342759411056242020-06-23T23:58:06.091-04:002020-06-23T23:58:06.091-04:00Whoa! That's some dedication, Dave! "Pass...Whoa! That's some dedication, Dave! "Pass" is a bit harsh! Way to persevere! <br /><br />I'm glad you indie-pubbed your trilogy, and I hope your next effort finds favor somewhere! Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-80268824382629983112020-06-23T21:29:07.422-04:002020-06-23T21:29:07.422-04:00Having received 50+ rejection letters on my first ...Having received 50+ rejection letters on my first novel, I've seen all these and more. Several sent back my original letter (in the snail mail days) with a brief comment. The best of all time is one in which my original letter was sent back to me with just the word "Pass" written across the front. I self/indie published that trilogy and am hoping my latest does not wrack up another 50+ rejections, as it really wouldn't make the best wallpaper...Dave Milbrandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375519393030817456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-24390926982696365582020-06-23T21:07:29.706-04:002020-06-23T21:07:29.706-04:00Oh Mary...I'm laughing my head off. That is hi...Oh Mary...I'm laughing my head off. That is hilarious! It must not have been at the time, but as you know, I can relate. Once upon a time in the distant past, my agent (Not my current one) didn't recognize me at a conference and asked me if I was Mary Connealy...I answered "I wish!" :) <br /><br />Life's a funny old thing, isn't it?Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-34927004467683426562020-06-23T19:48:31.401-04:002020-06-23T19:48:31.401-04:00Rejection letters, oh wow, I'd usually climb u...Rejection letters, oh wow, I'd usually climb under the computer desk and suck my thumb for a day or so, then go back to writing.<br />I once got a rejection letter from my own agent, telling me she wouldn't rep me. Not my current agent.<br />She didn't recognize my name, even though I was her client, when the book got there in the mail. Treated it as a request for representation, and rejected it.<br />:(<br />Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-55203633016568424122020-06-23T18:20:00.426-04:002020-06-23T18:20:00.426-04:00Glynis, I hear you. 2020 has been rather disastrou...Glynis, I hear you. 2020 has been rather disastrous thus far to my ability to focus on creating new content. I turned in one novella, but beyond that, I've struggled. I can edit, I can judge writing contests, I can write blog posts, but creating story has me stymied!<br /><br />Hopefully, as time goes on, we'll both get our writing groove back! Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-29903752394032105932020-06-23T08:12:52.314-04:002020-06-23T08:12:52.314-04:00I've gotten one rejection letter, from Love In...I've gotten one rejection letter, from Love Inspired as well, way back in 2015. I haven't finished another manuscript I like well enough to try again, but that was my original goal for this year. Not sure I'll make it--2020 is now a wash in my book :)--but I'm still writing, so it must not have stung too bad.<br /><br />Thanks for the perspective, Erica!Glynishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01764754822702091594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-68127544358987281912020-06-22T16:09:41.228-04:002020-06-22T16:09:41.228-04:00Yep, Amy! And congratulations on your publishing s...Yep, Amy! And congratulations on your publishing success, BTW! Getting an acceptance puts rejections into perspective, and later we can even laugh and appreciate those early rejections, because they pointed us in the direction that led to success!Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-80975932268852450142020-06-22T16:08:24.955-04:002020-06-22T16:08:24.955-04:00Connie, you've got the right attitude! You'...Connie, you've got the right attitude! You're right, rejection comes in nearly every walk of life, and your success or failure depends not on the rejection or acceptance, but your attitude and actions that follow! :) <br /><br />And YOU are the one who brightens OUR lives! :)Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-65019098357245973032020-06-22T16:07:17.121-04:002020-06-22T16:07:17.121-04:00Congrats on your perseverance! I only wish that so...Congrats on your perseverance! I only wish that some folks would stick with it, after that first round of rejections, because you'll get better, you'll get those R&Rs and eventually that YES that you seek! You just have to be stubborn and willing to work!Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-50003478283950130242020-06-22T16:06:47.593-04:002020-06-22T16:06:47.593-04:00Great post, Erica. I will say my rejection letters...Great post, Erica. I will say my rejection letters have all come from Love Inspired, I think. :-) And after receiving several, I've moved on to other publishers I fit better. And I'm okay with it finally. And maybe even embracing the fact that my writing doesn't fit their niche. But it took a while. Having two books published with two more on the way definitely takes the sting out, though, doesn't it?Amy Anguishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227138959392552195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-1212866304454783432020-06-22T16:05:25.950-04:002020-06-22T16:05:25.950-04:00Yes! You were/are right to be encouraged by those ...Yes! You were/are right to be encouraged by those personal notes. Editors and agents are busy people, and if they take the time to personalize something, they liked your work a lot!Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-49063783889428654322020-06-22T16:05:04.907-04:002020-06-22T16:05:04.907-04:00Ruthy, you make me feel so blessed to have multipl...Ruthy, you make me feel so blessed to have multiple rough manuscripts on my computer just waiting to be sent out and find a home. :-)Amy Anguishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227138959392552195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-47410864559721754472020-06-22T16:03:04.447-04:002020-06-22T16:03:04.447-04:00YES!! And take a sufficient amount of time revisin...YES!! And take a sufficient amount of time revising and really listen to the editor's requests! <br /><br />Don't squander those rare opportunities!Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-33255710140958187932020-06-22T16:02:26.784-04:002020-06-22T16:02:26.784-04:00OH man, I'm glad you finally moved on. It'...OH man, I'm glad you finally moved on. It's hard, when you're new. Any bit of encouragement and hope keeps you searching and waiting. <br /><br />This writing life isn't for the faint of heart, and sometimes it takes awhile for us to know/ realize exactly what's going on. Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-19938980370108489772020-06-22T15:54:42.035-04:002020-06-22T15:54:42.035-04:00It was encouraging to know she thought it had prom...It was encouraging to know she thought it had promise, but at the time it was mainly just frustrating.Cate Nolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10424872139114718902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-8031597775841207022020-06-22T15:41:46.238-04:002020-06-22T15:41:46.238-04:00Hi Erica and all of you other great authors, I lov...Hi Erica and all of you other great authors, I love your spirit and determination. Most people will never receive a book rejection letter but most of us have been turned down, overlooked, passed over, or just told no. I've learned that this often leads to better things or at least helps us improve, if we choose to do so.<br />God bless and please keep writing! You brighten my life each and every day!Connie Porter Saundershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234596850866029756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-18935812432921037762020-06-22T15:35:10.939-04:002020-06-22T15:35:10.939-04:00It is definitely a pain! I once thought that when ...It is definitely a pain! I once thought that when you finally landed a publishing contract, the publisher would ask you pretty much for the rest of your life "What would you like to write next?"<br /><br />LOL! Such a rube! :)Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-17946578525031025092020-06-22T15:25:55.566-04:002020-06-22T15:25:55.566-04:00Sandy, good for you for keeping on and sending mor...Sandy, good for you for keeping on and sending more!Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-50069725503621475582020-06-22T15:23:20.185-04:002020-06-22T15:23:20.185-04:00Erica, what a great post! I went through all these...Erica, what a great post! I went through all these levels! The hardest was the silence. Next hardest was the Dear Author one with no name. I hated that because then you wonder if it was really and truly meant for you (LOL! Of course it was, but we can all have a little wishful paranoia, can't we? haha)<br /><br />Then I got better letters with some feedback (cardboard characters, no sparkle). And then...the revise and resubmit one! I did two revisions, and then made my first sale to Love Inspired. :)Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-26647713396051541292020-06-22T14:45:11.532-04:002020-06-22T14:45:11.532-04:00My experience with rejection letters is from sendi...My experience with rejection letters is from sending out short stories and articles. I was always encouraged when I received a rejection letter with comments that indicated they liked it but couldn't use it for whatever reason. Sandy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920692341258066387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-19924231486827052432020-06-22T14:20:53.875-04:002020-06-22T14:20:53.875-04:00Your so right, Erica! Too many writers receive a r...Your so right, Erica! Too many writers receive a revise and resubmit letter and never act on it! Fear of success maybe? Don't let that happen to you, dear Seekerville friends. An R&R letter means you're close to publication! Always revise and resubmit!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-32753560770873557422020-06-22T14:18:36.827-04:002020-06-22T14:18:36.827-04:00I love this post, Erica! We've written so many...I love this post, Erica! We've written so many, many posts over the years, it's hard to come up with a topic that's fresh, which this is!<br /><br />Your mention of the agent who asked to see something else reminded me of an agent I kept pitching to at conferences. She always requested my work and always sent a nice rejection with the comment, "This doesn't work for me, but it you have something else, please send it." I went back and forth with this women forever, or so it seemed. Inevitably, her reply was always the same--"Send something new." Eventually, I realized too much of my time and energy was spent running after her. She was a one-woman agency, and I think she wanted to keep dangling that carrot so she could look at all my work in case one of my stories turned out to be a surefire bestseller. I rarely heard of her taking on new authors, by the way.Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-87897283668661141142020-06-22T13:53:48.489-04:002020-06-22T13:53:48.489-04:00Wonderful post, Erica. You know, I think what some...Wonderful post, Erica. You know, I think what some people don't realize is that rejection can happen at any time in a writer's career, not only when you're looking for that first contract. Your editor may tell you they just don't care for your next story/series idea. Or it isn't working for them. I like the old adage about not looking at it as rejection, but redirection. Yeah, it's a pain to have to rework or go back to the drawing board, but that's what grows and stretches us. No matter how much we hate exercise. ;) Mindy Obenhaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15049730175697756032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-69909777286503754432020-06-22T12:45:58.883-04:002020-06-22T12:45:58.883-04:00Was that encouraging to you? To know that if she h...Was that encouraging to you? To know that if she had the time, she would take you on as a client? Or did it make you think...If you'll take me on, I'll be a big-name client for you!!?<br />Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.com