tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post7382014815701459641..comments2024-03-28T05:13:12.886-04:00Comments on QueryTracker Blog: Handling Rejection at Arm's LengthPatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17771807777617244491noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-74590669977470978992009-07-13T11:03:13.542-04:002009-07-13T11:03:13.542-04:00I've tried to follow the "Tao of Pooh&quo...I've tried to follow the "Tao of Pooh" mindset of accepting rejection the same way as I would were I already accepted. Just, calm and tranquil, without pain or despair. <br /><br />Additionally, I used to be a live musician - and handling that kind of real time acceptance or rejection is much more brutal; a polite - if rarely personalized - "you're not quite what I'm looking for" is what it is. I realize that they're not condemning me or my work, they're simply not choosing it.<br /><br />Why, then, should I be offended?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06877068666532953249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-26063721679973003812009-07-03T14:41:07.202-04:002009-07-03T14:41:07.202-04:00Stephanie, I completely agree! Dwelling on the neg...Stephanie, I completely agree! Dwelling on the negative just slows you down and sabotages your writing. Great that you had such a generous agent and you made the experience a positive one.Alyssa Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05619379952262450970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-80482670914434792742009-07-03T14:07:26.808-04:002009-07-03T14:07:26.808-04:00What a timely post. I recently received a 'no ...What a timely post. I recently received a 'no thank you', as I prefer to think of them (easier to swallow that way). I have to say that it was the nicest one I've ever gotten. The agent went the extra mile and told me exactly why he wasn't taking it. What a gift! Now I know what the ms needs.<br /><br />I think if I allowed anger or disappointment cloud my reason, I would never have the oportunity to make my ms the best that it can be.Stephanie, PQWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07829560196963801967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-21337642016981997192009-07-03T12:40:21.278-04:002009-07-03T12:40:21.278-04:00I've read this blog for a while and while I ha...I've read this blog for a while and while I have never been brave enough to comment, I think this post is extremely worthwhile. Here's how I deal with...well, first of all, in our house we call them 'No Thank You's' because that's what they are. Rejection sounds like the agent is saying "You suck! Your writing isn't good enough for the bathroom wall!" and that may be what we hear but not what they're saying. <br />Second, I never take it personally. I'm disappointed but these agents don't know me. This is a business and a subjective one. I don't like every book out there and my novel isn't going to be for everyone. I just have to be persistant enough to get to the right one. <br />Third, I accept critism and suggestions and look at making changes. <br />Fourth, I've got a great support system - my family. <br />And, FYI, when I get a personalized No Thank You (or it seems like one) I always send a 'Thanks for considering my work' back to them. Whether the agent cares or not I don't know but I figure they did consider it, I'm grateful for their time and it's the polite thing to do. <br />I understand the frustration of not getting published, but not the animosity toward agents for turning you down.<br />You inspired me to put a post about this on my own writing blog http://demonicattractions.blogspot.com/ where I mentioned you and your post. I think it's a great reminder for writers to take a step back from the process. Again, thanks, and good luck with Soul Purpose. Paranormal fiction is my favorite and it looks like something I'd love to read!<br />Okay, I got a bit wordy here. I don't think comments are supposed to be this long. I'm new, forgive me!Alyssa Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05619379952262450970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-59881008030990687102009-07-02T10:39:32.788-04:002009-07-02T10:39:32.788-04:00I find that whining helps.
Well, it helps me. It&...I find that whining helps.<br /><br />Well, it helps me. It's probably not helpful to those around me.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08274485227373284224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-87957419987079056142009-07-01T23:36:14.428-04:002009-07-01T23:36:14.428-04:00Great advice Mary!Great advice Mary!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-18771861819388743772009-07-01T23:21:28.604-04:002009-07-01T23:21:28.604-04:00I have rejection of my query letter down to a scie...I have rejection of my query letter down to a science. Lately I have discontinued adding the query to my snail-mail queries, I add my own form rejection letter and ask the agents to sign it and return the letter in 6-8 weeks. I randomly chose a few agents that I ask to ignore my form rejection letter altogether. Then there are the few chosen agents that I add my fantastic form partial manuscript form letter. I usually ask those chosen agents to wait 4-8 months before they return my rejection form, which i then frame and use it for target practice.<br /><br />I am working on a system that will allow me to send pre-signed form rejection letters through my email. <br /><br />Isn't modern technology wonderful?raballardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-23104502694692784292009-07-01T23:04:52.096-04:002009-07-01T23:04:52.096-04:00Thanks for the comments. You guys are the best.
...Thanks for the comments. You guys are the best. <br /><br />I agree, Bert--Hal Spacejock's blog is full of fantastic information.Mary Lindsey / Marissa Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03593619747956026747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-32800618068160554042009-07-01T21:09:43.773-04:002009-07-01T21:09:43.773-04:00Thanks for a thoughtful and helpful blog on a subj...Thanks for a thoughtful and helpful blog on a subject that most of us who write need help with.<br /> The link to Hal Spacejock's "Rejection of the Literary Kind" was a bonus. He has a host of other useful articles, also just a click away.Bert Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13587981848777182609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-72904047194160284282009-07-01T19:27:31.012-04:002009-07-01T19:27:31.012-04:00After 8 years of being a pharmaceutical sales rep,...After 8 years of being a pharmaceutical sales rep, I've been rejected in many ways to my face. That really toughens you up. ;) <br /><br />What really helps is that my two teen beta readers loved the book that is out with agents. Even though it might never be published, it nice to have that warm fuzzy feeling to get me through the rejections. ;)Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-12148808874814408452009-07-01T17:05:25.224-04:002009-07-01T17:05:25.224-04:00Like you said, it's purely business. I like it...Like you said, it's purely business. I like it when agents post their reasons for rejecting voriaus queries on their blog. (The jueries remain anonymous of course.) But you can go down the list and see: This one is a genre I don't represent, this one is close but I already have something similar, etc... It makes the agent seem much more relatable. <br />As for handling rejection myself, I find that my work needs to go to someone who loves it. If that agent isn't you, then I don't want you to have it. <br /><br />--Emily<br />http://emilycaseysmusings.blogspot.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08673008115756142503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-1988827896013558342009-07-01T16:01:46.339-04:002009-07-01T16:01:46.339-04:00How do I rejection? REVENGE QUERY!!! There are o...How do I rejection? REVENGE QUERY!!! There are over 200 agents on query tracker in my genre. I just pick one I think might be interested in my work and send them a note. It's like rebating the hook after the fish steal your worm.<br /><br />You're never going to catch the big one if you don't have a pole in the water!Justina!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16961822442399135939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-80876750212070537922009-07-01T14:09:20.744-04:002009-07-01T14:09:20.744-04:00Thanks for this, ML! The pyramid always cracks me...Thanks for this, ML! The pyramid always cracks me up because it's so true, but only obvious once you see it spelled out.<br /><br />I used to be one of those "oh, hey, this is personalized" people, until I read the comments in QueryTracker for agents and realized Yes, they are form letters.<br /><br />Great post! We do have to believe in ourselves, and then find others who believe in us enough to rip our work a new one when we need it.Rebecca Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15214077952378770753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-28686143153316537882009-07-01T09:51:24.453-04:002009-07-01T09:51:24.453-04:00Thanks for a great post Mary! Rejection is the to...Thanks for a great post Mary! Rejection is the toughest part of writing and putting distance between your emotions and the process is hard. It always helps to know that everyone is in the same boat and that a form rejections isn't a letter stating "you suck; you should just give up now". It's just business. But, it does get easier the longer you do it ;)Amanda Bonillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05983960181205765184noreply@blogger.com