I actually had an entirely different topic to write about today, but got derailed after receiving a rejection from my agent. Via my agent, I should say, as it wasn’t my agent rejecting me but an editor who’d sent an email to my agent. The editor said the project was “incredibly compelling and creepy and very well written” and also “gritty and horrific” — which hello, awesome, right?
Not so awesome when accompanied by “I’m going to pass” — because it was, apparently, TOO gritty and horrific.
Well, I was going for gritty, horrific, creepy and compelling. The well written I could only hope for. And to learn that someone actually thought it *was* all those things I tried for is very pleasing and satisfying and gratifying, because it means that at least I was judged, this work was judged, on what it IS and what it was MEANT TO BE…
Ultimately, it sucks hard and mightily that the editor passed on the book, because um, yes, I don’t write just for the praise. I do like to actually earn a living this way, which has to mean sales. So the rejection stung, as they nearly always do, just the way bad reviews do and which is why I try hard not to read them.
All in all, what are you gonna do? It’s not true that once you’re published you can just sell everything. People express surprise to me that I get rejected, and let me tell you, my lovelies, I not only get rejected, I get refused, declined and passed by also. It’s part of the job. The sucktastic part of the job (unlike the way cool parts like being able to stay home listening to Christian Bale singing the soundtrack from Newsies while I blog…I keep telling him to keep it down, but he’s saucy, that guy).
My work was called gritty and horrific, which is what I wanted it to be. It made someone shudder (presumably, or at least maybe gave her a small lip curl.) I’m really proud that something I did, words I wrote, caused a reaction. I always am. If you cry or laugh or get angry at reading one of my books, hey, that’s good. It means I’m doing something right.
Doesn’t mean I’m not upset by the rejection, but a Coke Zero and a Peanutty Bar (SO did not need that…gawd) and I’m back to work. Writing something that is ALSO going to be gritty, perhaps horrific, definitely disturbing if I can do it right. And it may also never get purchased, either. But I’m going to write it anyway.
Sometimes you just gotta do what needs doing.
M
August 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pm · Link
How can she say all those wonderful things and I’m guessing it fit the genres she represents, and then she rejects it? Maybe she was too scared to keep reading.
And yes, I’m shocked anybody rejects any of the pearls spewing from your keyboard.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:52 pm · Link
Sue: Meh, you know how it goes!
August 18th, 2010 at 6:27 am · Link
I’m sorry for that. But I’m asking me, if its the genre that’s making her shudder? Then maybe she should switch genres and read romance.
But anyway, how long did it take for you to get puiblished your first book? I tried so much times and it sucks to get rejected… Well, no biggie, I keep writing but just for fun.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:51 pm · Link
It took me quite a while, but I was writing for a long time, started very young. Keep at it! Good luck!