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Thoughts on #rejection #writing I’m thinking mainly about books - and literary fiction.
1. Rejection is part of the querying process. I found no replies harder - about a third of queries.
2. If there is specific comment then YAY. Celebrate that. Always.
3. It’s subjective*
1. Rejection is part of the querying process. I found no replies harder - about a third of queries.
2. If there is specific comment then YAY. Celebrate that. Always.
3. It’s subjective*
4. *Caveat. BUT did you send work too soon and/or was there a decent pitch in the accompanying email text? If not, then...reflect on that.
5. It’s good practice because rejection comes at all stages. So I had 2 whole books rejected last year, BUT I have 3 other things boiling.
5. It’s good practice because rejection comes at all stages. So I had 2 whole books rejected last year, BUT I have 3 other things boiling.
5. Continued - it’s tough is what it is. I hate to say it, but get used to it; push on. Rejection is hardwired into the process.
6. Always be working on something else. People can & do get fixated on one project & you could be waiting a good while. So get going anew.
7. It hurts
6. Always be working on something else. People can & do get fixated on one project & you could be waiting a good while. So get going anew.
7. It hurts
8. Sometimes writers get representation followed by wonderful success after 100 rejections. YAY. But it’s also okay to stop & write something new. Try again. Nothing is wasted.
9. Make a tribe of other writers you can talk to; there are so many welcoming & compassionate folk.
9. Make a tribe of other writers you can talk to; there are so many welcoming & compassionate folk.
10. A suggestion. Why not use frustrating & trying times to write in a different genre or form. You never know what might happen.
11. Make sure you are building a career. Social media, website, visibility. Sensible things you can make & do. Respect yourself and the process.
11. Make sure you are building a career. Social media, website, visibility. Sensible things you can make & do. Respect yourself and the process.
12. It’s hard, but if you haven’t prepared properly for submission - your email has typos, incorrect spelling of name or you’ve done no research at all on those you’re querying & your ms is in the wrong place - maybe you’ve shot yourself in the foot.
13. Look after yourself well
13. Look after yourself well
14. Compare & despair. You don’t know the details of anyone else’s story or route. You know what you see & there’s an element of curation, perhaps. Is an overnight success really that?
15. Control what you CAN control in order to feel you’re coping. This is tough & competitive.
15. Control what you CAN control in order to feel you’re coping. This is tough & competitive.
16. Kind of related to two previous points, but ignore the odds.
17. There are clearly issues with regards to all voices being heard, so as you get acceptances & move forward, pay it forward & be an ally for under-represented voices, asking first HOW you do that. Don’t assume
17. There are clearly issues with regards to all voices being heard, so as you get acceptances & move forward, pay it forward & be an ally for under-represented voices, asking first HOW you do that. Don’t assume
18. Really try not to get hung up on debuts & whether you are past your prime or whatever. The solution is to write a book that’s *fucking epic* & I’m sorry if anyone finds that optimism radically naive. I ain’t budging.
19. Reading widely is your best teacher. Be ambitious!
19. Reading widely is your best teacher. Be ambitious!
20. Finally: when you get an acceptance for a book, don’t jump unless you have researched incredibly well. Take some more time & ask about rather than repent at leisure because your book could have been in a better home.
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