Happy Thursday to you all, and welcome back!
It just occurred to me that this is like a simulcast, being offered on “Artistry With Words” as well as my website. How cool is that? Well, not very cool, but I thought I would mention it.
Let’s start with a quote and then get moving to the subject of the day.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
John Paul DeJoria
Yes, the dreaded “R” word…rejection.
A SHARE OF THE DAY
Let me share a “good rejection” with you. I just received this lovely message this morning from agent Janet Reid in Seattle:
Thanks for writing to me about your work.
I’m sorry, this is a pass for me.
Right now my list is very full, and I’m fortunate that business
is very good so I have to pass on projects that are not only
good and publishable but ones I really like. That’s a good
problem for me, but it just stinks from the writer’s
viewpoint, yes indeed it does.
I strongly encourage you to query widely. Other agents have more wiggle room
on their lists and are able to take on more than I can.
Please think of this as redirection to another agent, not rejection.
Very best wishes to you!
Janet Reid
FinePrint Literary Management
Why am I so happy with this rejection?
Well, first of all, this is not a form letter. Janet took the time to write a personal note, and believe me when I tell you that this is very rare.
Secondly, she implies that my book, Resurrecting Tobias, is not only good but publishable. That is music to my ears.
Third, she gave me directions to keep sending queries out. In other words, she thinks the book has a chance of being published if I’m diligent and persistent.
TIP OF THE DAY
This will be a short one: don’t give up!
Believe in what you are doing and do not let rejection stop you.
SITE OF THE DAY
Hey, the website problems have been solved, so if you would like to follow the website, go to www.williamdhollandauthor.com and sign up. I’d love to have you there.
And if you are already here (remember, this is a simulcast) then note a new page on the website….I am not in the “writing coach” business. If you are interested in getting an honest appraisal of your writing skills, and some tips and suggestions to get you on track, then drop me a line and we’ll get started.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
I hope this picture will shake loose some cobwebs in your creative brain and set you on the track to productivity.
THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY
But you can bet I’ll be back early next week with more of that thing I do.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Yay for the good rejection and I just signed up. So, happy to see that the sign up issues are corrected and have indeed signed up again 🙂
Thanks Janine. I can even find the positive in a rejection. LOL What an optimist I am. Thanks my friend.
You are right–it is a good rejection. Your book should arrive in my mailbox today or tomorrow–just in time for summer reading! Can’t wait!
Thank you so much Audrey. I hope you enjoy the second writing of it.
Good to read a letter/response from these agents.
Keep rowing your boat, Bill. You will find your shore 🙂
Hearing your inspiration story will make me also keep rowing to find mine!
Ruchira, the paddles are in the water and I’m rowing like crazy. Thank you.
That’s an awesome note from Janet, Bill. I follow her blog and get daily tips from her in my inbox. It’s nice to know she’s as real as she comes off in her blog. I can imagine how her note put a smile on your face and a song in your heart!
It did indeed, Sha, and there must be more Janets out there, and I’m going to find one who will fall in love with my book…or so it says here in the fine print. LOL Thank you my dear.
I know you won’t give up because of one rejection. Way to go!
Oh, this is SO GREAT! You didn’t get a nibble, you received a BITE! It is just a matter of time, and I can’t wait! You have so much support from your followers and we are all cheering you on! Praying for you daily. God bless, Sparklea 🙂
Lea, it was a good bite; I just couldn’t set the hook. Time to try a different lure. 🙂 Thanks my friend. You are a most loyal supporter.
I’m so thankful that Janet took the time to write this letter. I wish I could hug her. I hope you print this out and put it in your line of sight for each day you sit down at your desk.
Thanks, Lizzy. I don’t know what to say when you are serious. 🙂
From where I sit, Bill, that’s a great rejection letter! The agent practically said, “You’re good. Go for it!” Her letter provided wonderful encouragement and should motivate you to keep trying. (I know you will anyway, but isn’t it marvelous to receive validation from a pro?)
I recently entered a ‘whodunnit’ mystery story contest with a 700-word limit. I dashed off the story hurriedly at the last minute to meet the deadline, so it wasn’t my best effort. I didn’t expect to win or even receive mention, but the entry fee was only $5, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ I didn’t win or place, but something good came of it anyway. One of the judges wrote a detailed critique telling me that the story concept is good, but I need to give more clues. She reminded me to not let the detective question a possible suspect without reading Miranda rights. Oops!
Since this word limit and the format of the contest story mirror the ‘whodunnit’ stories published in Woman’s World (that give readers a chance to solve the mystery, with a solution provided by the writer–included in the 700 words), the judge’s helpful critique let me know how to fix the story so I can submit it to that magazine. Payment for one of those little stories is $500. I’ll be submitting the revised story to WW next week–all because a contest judge was nice enough to provide a helpful critique.
I think both of these examples–your ‘great’ rejection letter and my specific written critique from a contest judge–show that professionals in the publishing world may take time from their busy schedules to help writers. That’s encouraging to me and should be to other writers.
Jaye
Hooray for you, Jaye, and that was wonderful that the judge reached out and gave you helpful aid. Now all that’s left to do is get that baby published. What are you going to do with the $500? 🙂
Thank you for your continuing support. I will, indeed, keep trucking down this road. The joy is in the journey, but it would be nice to get rewarded when the journey is over. 🙂
Yes, we can all find something to do with money, can’t we? It’s another good reward for our writing (after self-satisfaction, good feedback, seeing our work in print, etc.), and I don’t think I know a single writer who would turn it down. As for me, I live in an old house where something is always breaking down. Need I say more? Haha.
No, Jaye, that says it all. Believe me, I’m there too.