Surviving Rejection and Tips to Avoid It!
Updated Version 8/2002
By, Jewel Stone
Writing is personal. It reflects a myriad of feelings, ideas and passions within an author and released with words intended to provoke an emotional response from the reader: love, humor, adventure, suspense, fright, sadness, triumph . . . When a story is released, it is done so by bleeding over the keyboard pouring out the depths of the author's heart, visions and dreams.
A relationship between the author and the character is born and flourishes over the next months, or perhaps even years. Triumphantly typing The End, the author may feel a loss, for like a child grown into an adult, the characters are ready to be on their own after caring for their every need.
The beloved manuscript is ready to submit to an agent or editor. Sending it off in the mail evokes a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. Surely the agent/editor will soon be calling with a phenomenal offer to publish the book and the author will be on the way to a successful writing career. Dreams achieved. Only, with the exception of a rare few, it’s not always so easy.
Several weeks, months, possibly a year or beyond later the author opens the mailbox and finds a letter from the agent/editor. Since the agent/editor would have called with an offer, the author knows the letter contains a rejection. The chance, the prospect, the possibility the letter will still somehow answer months of prayer, sends the author rushing into the house to a private spot. Swallowing down a lump and with a shaking hand the author opens the envelope . . . It’s confirmed in black and white, the work has been rejected.
How does an author survive this rejection? To understand, learn from it and then move forward.
The Form Rejection
Quite often an author will receive what is termed a Form Rejection; a standard letter of rejection mailed to hundreds, thousands of authors. This type of rejection leaves the author wondering if the agent/editor even took the time to read the work. It gives no insight as to why the manuscript was rejected. The author is left standing in the dark with no light to guide.
Surviving a Form Rejection is quite possibly the easiest to recover from. There are no direct wounds inflicted by agent/editor remarks. However, the author needs to analyze where and what went wrong.
There are some factors that can lead to an agent/editor rejecting the manuscript immediately. The author needs to ask the following questions:
● Were the guidelines for submitting followed? Was the submission package professional?
Tip~ Do not send the entire manuscript if the guidelines say to query first or to only send a synopsis and partial.
● Did author submit to the agency/publishing house most likely interested in the type of novel written and to a specific agent/editor working on a targeted line or imprint?
Tip~ Take the time to research literary agencies, publishing houses and their individual agents/editors. It does no good to query the romance editor if the novel is a psychological thriller.
● Does the query letter include author accomplishments: contests, awards, publishing credits?
Tip~ Do not over boast. Do not claim to be the next Stephen or Nora. Do not falsify achievements.
● Does the synopsis tell the story without bogging down the editor/agent with too much detail and description?
Tip~ Keep focus on main characters and plot. Try to keep synopsis to five pages, anything longer and the agent/editor’s eyes begin to gloss.
● Does the synopsis make sense without having read the manuscript?
Tip~ Author may want to have at least one person unfamiliar with the story read the synopsis.
● Does the manuscript have a marketable hook?
Tip~ A marketable edge makes it an easier sale for agent/editors.
● Did author take the time to learn the mechanics of writing; grammar, POV, conflict/motivation, etc. before submitting? Was the manuscript edited carefully?
Tip~ No matter how good a story, if it is not written well it will be rejected. No matter how well written, if it is not a good story, it will be rejected.
For a Self Manuscript Assessment worksheet,
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The Why Rejection
Rejection letters sometime include comments from the agent/editor as to why the book is being rejected. The author has received a direct hit to the heart.
The first instinct from the author may be denial: My book is perfect! What do you mean my characters lack depth? My writing does not need polishing!
The author needs to take the time to recover from the initial emotional response, and then consider the agent/editor's comments.
Reading the manuscript again will give the author a fresh perspective after not working on it for several months and may discover the agent/editor is correct in their analysis. The author then needs to ask: What can I do to change the trouble areas? Then work on those and revise, polish, and resubmit.
Tip~ Author needs to implement a submissions record keeping system. Track to who, when and which manuscript was submitted where.
For a sample submission form,
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The “Like It, However . . .” Rejection
The agent/editor likes the story and writing style. However, the manuscript is being rejected, perhaps because the manuscript is not marketable, or there are areas that need to be worked on, such as characterization, plot holes, not strong enough goal/conflict/motivation, etc.
The response to this type of rejection is often elation at getting praise yet frustration, seemingly no closer to publication.
If the agent/editor has taken the time to suggest changes and said they would be interested in reading the manuscript again after revision, this is a positive sign and author should follow through, unless:
The author feels the book cannot be changed without compromising the integrity of the story, author’s voice and style. If this is true, it is time to look for another agency/publisher who might have a very different opinion.
Again, do the research. Submit to agencies/publishers that are selling the type of book you have, pinpoint specific agents/editors.
Jeff Herman’s
Writer's Guide to Book
Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 2003-2004:
Who They Are! What They Want! and How to Win Them Over is a great resource
for researching agents/editors.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761537457/qid=1032114455/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-7920031-7130547?v=glance&s=books
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The Dagger in the Heart Rejection
Some agent/editors lack the ability to write rejections with manners. Some authors have received rejections so harsh they almost gave up their dreams of writing.
A well-polished coat of armor will help a writer deal with this type of rejection. And yet, when dealing with something as personal as writing, this may be easier said than done. The author may even have the irresistible urge to write or call this agent/editor and tell them off. Do not give into this temptation.
Put the letter in a drawer or file and save it. After a few weeks or months, take the letter back and reread. Putting the overall nastiness aside, try and find what the agent/editor is saying.
Is there work to be done on the grammar? Is the pacing too slow? An author might discover that although the approach of the letter stank, it holds vital suggestions on improving the book. Work on those, polish that manuscript again and resubmit, preferably to another agent/editor if possible, life’s too short to deal with mean people!
Tip~ Save all rejection letters. Once published, author will be able to look back at these with sweet triumph!
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Some closing comments and points to remember:
● Don’t submit until the manuscript is ready. Otherwise author is setting self up for unnecessary rejection.
● Know the market.
● Develop tough skin and good humor.
● Don't look at rejection letters as negative, rather a positive step in achieving writing goals.
● Never stop learning and improving. Find your voice and rhythm.
● Do not stop writing while waiting for word from an agent/editor, plug away at the next book.
● Be realistic. It may take years of hard work and dedication before an author sells a manuscript.
● Believe in self, dreams & goals.
Copyright © Jewel Stone