Rejection and the Writer-- The Superman Complex
By S.W. Vaughn
Rejection happens. People get rejected for job interviews and credit cards, by
ex-lovers and disgruntled family members, or whenever the grocery store is out
of their favorite flavor of Mountain Dew. Rejection stings. Depending on the
degree to which it occurs, it can be difficult to get over. Writers deal with
rejection constantly-- their work is rejected by agents, editors, webmasters,
and even readers.
To a writer, rejection is kryptonite. No matter how often we're exposed to it,
we never become immune to its effects. It weakens us; it makes us feel helpless
and small. In our minds we know it is truly "nothing personal"-- but imagine Lex
Luthor telling that to Superman as he holds out that fluorescent green chunk of
the hero's homeland with mocking laughter. Now, imagine you're Superman, lying
on the floor feeling like you've just been sucker-punched… but it's nothing
personal. Yeah, right.
Here's a sample of the typical form letter rejection that active writers receive
on a regular basis:
Dear [Author / Writer / Idiot-who-thought-we-would-enjoy-your-dreck]:
Thank you for your query regarding [Novel That Is Well Written and Better Than
Some of the Stuff Out There in Bookstores Now]. I apologize for this [impersonal
form letter / robotic response / kick in your shin]. We here at [Really Big
Agency / Terribly Important Publishing House] receive hundreds of queries a day,
and it is impossible to respond to each one personally. We have carefully
considered your work but we are afraid (check all that apply):
___ It's not right for us.
___ We have decided to publish only nonfiction books about the native flora and
fauna of the Isle of Man.
___ This is the worst drivel we've ever read.
___ The query dart didn't hit your letter.
___ Today is Tuesday.
___ Error 404: Author Not Famous
Your work undoubtedly has merit. Keep in mind that fiction is a very subjective
field, and there may be other [agents / editors / Nigerian bankers] who might
feel differently. We encourage you to keep querying anyone that is not us. Thank
you for considering [Agency Who Reps Your Favorite Author / Publishing House of
Your Crushed Dreams], and best of luck elsewhere.
Sincerely,
[Agent / Editor /
Person-who-is-far-more-important-in-publishing-than-you-will-ever-be]
I've gotten so many of these letters that I've lost count. To combat the
kryptonite effect, I have developed a reply that automatically rejects
rejections. I call it the "I'm still Superman, and after I crawl away from your
glowing green poison I will fly again-- and drop a skyscraper on your office"
response:
Dear Agent,
I apologize for this impersonal form letter. I receive dozens of rejections a
day, and it is impossible for me to respond to each one personally. Please be
assured that I have read and given careful consideration to your rejection, but
I am afraid it's just not right for me.
I am sure that your agency has merit. As you are aware, fiction is a very
subjective field, and there may be other authors out there who are not ready for
publication. I encourage you to keep sending rejections, and eventually you will
reach an author who will take your message to heart and give up writing forever.
Thank you for considering the rejection of my work, and best of luck elsewhere.
Sincerely,
S. W. Vaughn
This is not foolproof kryptonite protection, particularly since I don't actually
send the response (Why? Because I'm paranoid and think things like: what if they
accidentally sent me a form rejection? What if they change their minds? What if
Stephen King decides to recommend my novel-- and I've pissed off every single
agent in New York?). However, it does lessen the effects a bit. Instead of lying
on the floor, I simply slump in my chair and grumble for a while, then get back
to the business of soliciting more rejections.
S. W. Vaughn has been rejected by just about every agent in New York-- but
some of them were nice about it, and one publisher said "yes." Vaughn writes for
a living, and at the moment would rather get hit by a truck than read one more
lousy form rejection. Visit the official website at
www.swvaughn.com for information and
excerpts from the novel Fallen Angel, or to sign up for the LIT newsletter.
Vaughn enjoys receiving e-mail at
author@swvaughn.com … unless the message begins with "Dear Author." In that
case, expect a skyscraper to fall on your house.
