Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Yesterday we discussed an agent’s response to receiving rejection letters that essentially say, “I loved this book, but I’m going to have to pass.”
Thank you to those of you who shared what your responses would be. It’s true that these types of rejections are more encouraging than rejections that point out that something is wrong with the project, but at the same time they leave you without any direction on how you can improve your project and pitch. As Robert shared, you can run out of places to send a project, so you definitely want to be sending the best possible draft.
So my question for you today is, how do you, as a writer, take a rejection like that and make it into something that helps you toward publication?
I have some ideas, but please add to my thoughts.
1) When you receive a positive rejection, take your book once again to your target audience to collect feedback. Ask them to answer specific questions after reading; don’t just ask for an overall feeling. Come up with a list of key issues you want to be sure to get feedback on and include the list with the manuscript when you show it to your readers.
Sample questions: How did the book affect you on an emotional level? What did you gain from reading the manuscript? Why would you or wouldn’t you read this book again? For fiction: How did you connect with the main character? How could this connection be stronger?
(Remember to phrase your questions so the reader can’t answer with just a yes or a no.)
2) Write another book. If you’ve received positive rejections but no contracts for a particular project, the timing is most likely not right for that book. The editors like your writing style, but the book isn’t quite right. Try your hand at another idea. Your writing should be stronger the next time around, and perhaps the new idea with strike the right chord with the editors.
3) Consider attending a writers’ conference. It helps to meet editors and agents face-to-face. Sometimes that personal touch can be all your project needs to be set apart from the rest.
4) Consider seeking endorsers, especially for nonfiction. Having the right name associated with your project could make the difference. This can be a tricky business because you don’t want to overwhelm published authors with endorsement requests, but sometimes these connections can be made in an organic way through writers’ conferences, writing groups, mentoring clinics, etc. Never force these connections, let them come about naturally, if at all. And don’t you dare use the line, “Rachel Z. told me to ask you for an endorsement.” 🙂
5) Enter your manuscript in a writing contest! Some contests even offer publishing contracts if you win. If you’ve received that much positive feedback, your chances will be pretty high.
Do you have anything to add? How can you be proactive in response to rejections that don’t offer any suggestions for improving your project?
These are great suggestions. I especially like the Write another book! That’s exactly what I’ve done.
That’s the best response to any form of rejection in my opinion. I really agree with the contest suggestion too.
Those have helped me so much. First and foremost, they’ve helped me develop THICK skin! But secondly, the feedback is invaluable! I grew so much as a writer.
Crit groups, too, are equally invaluable. I would be lost without mine. 🙂
I don’t know that I can say much about how to respond to a positive rejection. Here’s the best rejection I received, after nine months of waiting and me sending a “what’s the status” e-mail:
“I’ve reread your proposal…and can say with clear mind and conscience that it isn’t something that fits our plan. However, I must say that your writing is very, very good. I do hope you will continue submitting to the ocean of publishing houses out there. In the meantime, and I have NO idea what they’re looking for, but I would like to submit the Worm poems to the acquisitions editor in the children’s division. They are particularly sweet and fun, and have a good message. Honestly, it is a long shot, but you never know.
Keep writing, sir! You are very good.”
I responded thank you, and of course she could send the poems to the children’s acq-ed. I never heard anything.
Nor have I submitted the book to another editor or agent. It doesn’t seem to fit anyone.
I’ve definitely learned about the importance of asking questions you can’t answer with a simple yes or no. My critique partners are great about giving specific advice, but I have to milk in-depth responses from my target audience readers. Which makes sense–the latter aren’t trained to critique. 🙂 Great post!
Bang your head against the wall and see if any bright ideas for improvement pop in.
Actually, picking up a how-to book on writing can be a great help. I try to read at least one of these between every novel I write. It’s too easy to get in a rut and write the same problems every time. A good instructional book can help you figure out what you are doing wrong and then you can train yourself to correct that in the future.
Writing something else is key. Also, I think, it’s important to realize that your first novel might never sell. That’s okay. It’s not like it’s going to be the last book you ever write. And if it is, well, what are you doing trying to become an author?
I want a bumper sticker that says: REJECTION HAPPENS.
Because it does.
Finally, remember that Stephen King was rejected, Dean Koontz was rejected, J.K. Rowling was rejected, and now you’ve been rejected. See? You’re more like these best-selling writers than you thought.
Keep writing more novels. It’s more difficult with non-fiction since there’s a specific communique with those, usually a very specific audience, platform, etc. But with fiction keep the writing ongoing. Although it’s hard to focus on the promotion of one book after it’s well in the past, keep the inspiration and writing in the present. Don’t quit after one completion. Give yourself just enough time to do what’s necessary but don’t stop creating. JMO
I agree with James.
I just finished reading The Art of War for Writers. It’s an excellent book and as I seem to find with every book on the writing craft, I am challenged to look at my own projects with fresh eyes.
And to begin the next one hopefully all the better for having read that book, despite rejections.
I think one of the things that makes us better writers is to have the humility to be teachable. As a writer I should look to those who have been published, been published multiple times, who teach at Colleges and Conferences, who’ve won awards…etc.
There’s a wealth of things we can learn that will inevitably shape who we grow to be as writers.
Great comments! Thanks.
David, your rejection letter is quite unique. At least you know it wasn’t a form letter. 🙂
Personally, I’d go with options 2 & 3. As soon as I’m querying one book, I’m already on to the next book. It really is the best way to handle rejections. You’re not focused so much on that one project. As the old saying goes, you haven’t put all your eggs in one basket.
I think personal interactions are also important. I’d probably try to attend more conferences in the hopes that this would improve my chances with my next book.
Amy
P.S. I love how I’ve been a lurking reader for so long, but the minute you ladies break out the multiple choice quizzes, I’m leaving comments like crazy. What’s up with that?! 🙂
I would never write, “Rachel Z told me to ask for an endorsement.” I would always spell out your full last name.
Amy, I guess you’ve noticed that quizzes are irresistible? Thanks for chiming in.
And, Bill G., uh, I mean Giovannetti, I’m sure Rachel appreciates your using every syllable of her name.
See, Rachel offers a quiz, and I have to pop in…
I experienced this recently, albeit in a slightly different way.
The friendly letter said: “This is a terrific project, but I’m sorry to say I already have an author under contract that writes in a similar vein, too similar to allow me to take this one on.”
I explained the letter to my wife as bittersweet—awesome that the agent liked the project, yet a downer that the world of publishing is small and crowded.
So … back to the keyboard and back to the keyboard! (Which I love anyway).
Thank you very much for sharing, Rachel. I enjoyed sitting at your table at the Writing for the Soul Conference, and I’m encouraged by your posts here!
Blessings,
Caleb
Actually James, bang your head on the keyboard instead of the wall, it produces more words (now if only the letters that showed up on my screen were real words… lol).
I like what everyone said: look over your stuff and see if there is anyway to improve, read more, go to conferences for that personal interaction and keep writing.
And maybe take a day off. Sometimes it helps to back away for a day, a week, maybe even a month. Spend some time with your family, read just for the fun of it, or go for a walk. I always feel better and motivated again to dive into writing after a short break.
Morgan,
I tried that, but I just broke my keyboard and had to buy a new one. Thanks for the suggestion though!
🙂
1, 2, & 3 worked for me. During my rejection letter years, I kept working on new projects, kept going to conferences, and kept getting feedback from conference critiques, my writers group, and readers. I made notes, and about once a year, would do a rewrite of the first book in my series based on what I learned. And then I’d submit again. Meanwhile, by attending conferences, I learned valuable info on agents, editors, and the industry – enough to know to send an e-mail to Books & Such the same day I got a contract offer 🙂