The Daily Rejection

mairi · Sep 15, 2010

two days ago I got an R on my full. agent still loved concept, really liked MC, loved so many elements but didnt like how the story seemed more romance than horror.

i really liked this agent and wanted to cry (ok i did cry a bit) that she didnt even ask for an r&r. but since i was already revising my ms (another agent had the same opinion), i thought wth and asked if she wanted to see the revised version. i also explained why i wanted to work with her.

agent replied quickly enough, said she was happy i was revising with the horror aspect in mind and would love to see the revised version.

moral: personalized feedback on full....could turn into an r&r?

i just thought i should share this coz we've been getting Rs on fulls and i know how much that hurts.

herenow · Sep 15, 2010

Yes. One thing that bothers me is agents say we are looking for writer to build a future with. You get the impression they are all for edits and rewrites. Yet... I wonder when you see so many rejections on fulls. Seems like they don't have the time. I can see why with so many queries to read. What a messed up business model though!

Still no nibbles for me. Also no advice. Just not for me. Not the right agent for this. Keep submitting, I am sure someone will like this.

Working on my synopsis - they want no more than one page. I am going crazy!

Carleree · Sep 15, 2010

I haven't heard anything for a few days. 5 Qs timed out today, so I guess that counts as a rejection without the nice not for me letter.

On the upside, I reached 70k on my WIP, and I plan to finish the first draft within 5 days. So, I'm not complaining, just working like mad.

mairi · Sep 15, 2010

herenow said:
Yes. One thing that bothers me is agents say we are looking for writer to build a future with. You get the impression they are all for edits and rewrites. Yet... I wonder when you see so many rejections on fulls. Seems like they don't have the time. I can see why with so many queries to read. What a messed up business model though!

Still no nibbles for me. Also no advice. Just not for me. Not the right agent for this. Keep submitting, I am sure someone will like this.

Working on my synopsis - they want no more than one page. I am going crazy!

I hear you, herenow.

When the agent gave me the go-ahead to send her the revised version, it got me to thinking...would I have had the same luck if I had emailed the same question to those who gave me form Rs on fulls?

But then again, the only reason why I had the confidence to send an email like that was because I knew what the agent liked / disliked. If only Rs on fulls weren't form...I understand why they give them out but...that kind of R is simply crushing!

lenore_x · Sep 15, 2010

Just got my first R of the day. *DEEP BREATHS* ONWARD.

Good for you for speaking up to that one agent, mairi!

Sydneyd · Sep 15, 2010

I havent had any news..for days. I wonder if I should appreciate the agents who take longer, somehow it is more satisying in the long run.

Muna · Sep 15, 2010

I thought I made it through today without any rejections, yet one snuck in at 5:33pm (eastern time). Some times no new is good news. I swear if I have to hear (read) subjective one more time. It totally kicked me out of my writing zone.

Hopefully, I can shake it off and write some more before I'm forced to sleep.

Nova Odyssey · Sep 15, 2010

Nothing to report... but CRICKETS. :Huh:

Serious CRICKETS.
Started my second book though. That's a good thing.

Sorry for the rejections you have all been getting. Cheering for Erin.

herenow · Sep 15, 2010

Kicks you out of the writing zone. Right! that's the problem with sending out so many queries. I have about 1-2 reject emails a day, not a fun thing for writing zone.

If anyone hasn't seen the animation Mary and Max you must see it. Amazing dialogue and beautifully animated. A real masterpiece. I got it from Netflicks.

Erin · Sep 15, 2010

mairi said:
two days ago I got an R on my full. agent still loved concept, really liked MC, loved so many elements but didnt like how the story seemed more romance than horror.

i really liked this agent and wanted to cry (ok i did cry a bit) that she didnt even ask for an r&r. but since i was already revising my ms (another agent had the same opinion), i thought wth and asked if she wanted to see the revised version. i also explained why i wanted to work with her.

agent replied quickly enough, said she was happy i was revising with the horror aspect in mind and would love to see the revised version.

moral: personalized feedback on full....could turn into an r&r?

i just thought i should share this coz we've been getting Rs on fulls and i know how much that hurts.

Awesome! Hope it works out for you.

I've been in the same situation and it never hurts to ask the rejecting agent if they'd like to see a revision based on other agent feedback. In my case, one didn't, but he didn't mind me asking, the other did (although, she ultimately rejected me). You just never know.

I heard from the first agent who requested a full on Monday today. She said she read my first chapter and saw lots of promise, and will need more time to review the full. I was stunned that she got back to me and it's only been 2 days. That's great personal service!

Other than that, no R's for me today.

Erin · Sep 15, 2010

I wanted to add that rejections totally kick me out of the writing zone sometimes. Then other days I just shrug them off, send out another query and get back to writing. This whole query process is so time consuming and it's time I could be spending writing. But it's a necessary evil of the publishing process. That's what I keep telling myself....

RRK · Sep 15, 2010

I just got rejected by my dream agent, who had one of my two outstanding fulls. Form rejection. I'm going to go cry now.

Carleree · Sep 15, 2010

RRK: I am so sorry. I can only imagine how that feels. But try to remember that having a full requested was a big positive. You've got something there, just believe in yourself. There are plenty of agents and I'm sure the one that accepts your MS will end up being your true dream agent. Remember, it's their loss. :Hug2:

Hathor · Sep 16, 2010

Just a few words from the wilds of Montana (finally a place with internet access :hooray:

):

I'm sure glad I'm toting around my (seemingly) heavy laptop, just so I can here from one of my outstanding partials. Yes, the premise of the book is wonderful, just change the book entirely. Um, you don't get the premise then. And how can you get the premise if you didn't ask for the proposal? Gave me an good reason to use the hot spring-fed pools at this place last night. Relax, relax.

Well, that's 100 rejects. The next one isn't supposed to hurt, right

RRK and everyone else who has gotten R's since I was out of contact, hang in there.

Well, time for breakfast and then we're driving to Yellowstone. I don't know if there is internet there. I'll drop back in when I can. You all keep me sane.

Peggy Blair · Sep 16, 2010

I remember an old writer who said to me, "not everyone is going to like your writing, Peggy." My dream agent just sent me his criticisms of my second one: "lacks the heart of the first," "melodramatic." I'm pretty sure if he'd seen that one first, I wouldn't have an agent. But I'm listening, and trying not to be hurt.

Hang in there, Hathor. If your writing on these posts is any indication of the quality of your novel, you'll find your agent.

Erin · Sep 16, 2010

RRK, sorry about the R. Keep sending out those queries. Getting a full read is definitely a good thing.

Hi Hathor! Sorry about your R...log off and enjoy Yellowstone!

Carleree · Sep 16, 2010

Hathor, good to know you are finding ways to enjoy your holiday despite the rejection.

I am finishing my novel today, come hell or high water. Only 5k to go, so it's in my reach. But first I must take my son to his second day of kindergarten. I'm hoping it goes as well as the first.

Other than that, nothing to report. I haven't heard a peep from any agents in a few days. I can't wait to start querying my WIP. This book is way better than my first so I actually think I've got a shot.

Hang in there, rejects. We'll get there together.

Sassy3421 · Sep 16, 2010

I received a rejection, but.....I also received a request for 20pgs from a query letter alone....hope for me people....

Carleree · Sep 16, 2010

Sassy3421 said:
I received a rejection, but.....I also received a request for 20pgs from a query letter alone....hope for me people....

OMG!!! Sassy that is awesome! I am so happy for you. Fingers crossed. The bananas must dance. :banana:

Go get 'em girlfriend!!

Nova Odyssey · Sep 16, 2010

RRK said:
I just got rejected by my dream agent, who had one of my two outstanding fulls. Form rejection. I'm going to go cry now.

Sorry RRK... I know it hurts. Do what you have to do, but then write, write, write.

herenow · Sep 16, 2010

DREAM AGENTS SUCK - ha... I gave up the idea of dream agents. It hurts to have a dream agent.

Peggy are you saying your new agent doesn't like your second book? so is he representing your first? a bit confused.

News: I finished my synopsis - sent it to three good ones

Told my mother the bad news that I have no nibbles yet. Course she can't understand it, she loves my book. Up to 18 rejections.

Erin · Sep 16, 2010

Sassy3421 said:
I received a rejection, but.....I also received a request for 20pgs from a query letter alone....hope for me people....

YAY on the request!!!

herenow · Sep 16, 2010

Go Sassy!

Peggy, I enjoyed your writers block post.

Sassy3421 · Sep 16, 2010

thanks guys!

and you know the agent started the email with thank you for....I was thinking it was another rejection at first.

Sydneyd · Sep 16, 2010

I have been check, check, check, checking my email today. Finally heard from an agent, reject.

The Daily Rejection

E-pubbed author

Queen of Catastrophes

E-pubbed author

Aye, ye scurvy dog!

Marvelous

Listening to my other selves

Listening to my other selves

I named the dog Indiana

Queen of Catastrophes

Goddess of Rationalization

I like my snow hot.

Listening to my other selves

Queen of Catastrophes

Plotting murder..most of the time

Queen of Catastrophes

Marvelous

Listening to my other selves

Plotting murder..most of the time

Aye, ye scurvy dog!