Rejection Isn't The End

by Patricia Bradley

I met a writer once who kept every rejection letter she ever received. Over 10,000 letters. I was thinking about her the other day, and not just her, but all the writers out there who keep writing through rejections.

If you are breathing…or writing (they’re the same thing, right?), you’ve experienced rejection at some point in your life. And have not only been rejected, but if you’re a published author, you’ve received a bad review. Or two. So, what do you do when that happens? How do you keep on writing?

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”  ~President Theodore Roosevelt

I love the quote from Theodore Roosevelt. The person in the arena. You.

Rejection can paralyze a writer, whether it’s from an editor or a reader. How long depends on the writer. So, again, how do you pick yourself up and stare at that blank page after rejection? Like in writing, there’s no right or wrong answer—what works for one writer, doesn’t work for another, but I’d like to make a suggestion or two.

First, allow yourself to feel bad (actually wallow in your pity) for a day…maybe two days if you need to. It’s important to allow yourself to feel disappointment about a rejection. If you try to deny you’re disappointed, it will take longer to get past it.

Once the day (or two) passes, look for the silver lining in the rejection. And there usually is one. If you’ve entered a contest but didn't win, look at what the judges said and evaluate their comments. You probably won’t agree with them…at first, but at least look at the comments objectively. See if there is any validity in them. The same thing with a rejection from an editor or agent. If you receive suggestions that will make your manuscript a fit for them, are you willing to do the rewrites?

Always remember that not everyone will like what you write or how you write. If you understand that from the get-go, it will make rejection much easier. The important thing is to get back in front of the computer and start writing again. Be that person in the arena. Channel that pain into your heroine. Open that vein and bleed all over your paper.

Oh, and that writer who collected all those rejections? Her name was Christie Craig, and she kept writing, and eventually landed an agent who sent her manuscripts out — six by now. One day the agent called and asked if she was sitting down. Christie asked the agent if she’d sold a book, and the agent replied no, and her heart sank.

She hadn’t sold a book, she’d sold four! Read more about Christie Craig here.

So, if when you get a rejection, accept it, try to learn from it, and then get back to what you were created to do—go write!

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Bio:

Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi with her rescue kitty Suzy and loves to write suspense with a twist of romance. Her books include the Logan Point series and two Harlequin Heartwarming romances. Justice Delayed, a Memphis Cold Case Novel, is the first book in her next series and it releases January 31, 2017. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

Justice Delayed by Patricia Bradley

It's been eighteen years since TV crime reporter Andi Hollister's sister was murdered. The confessed killer is behind bars, and the execution date is looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned killer didn't actually do it, Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, this case is personal: the person who confessed to the crime is Will's cousin. They have less than a week to find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But much can be accomplished in that week--including uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and falling in love.

With the perfect mixture of intrigue and nail-biting suspense, award-winning author Patricia Bradley invites her readers to crack the case--if they can--alongside the best Memphis has to offer.

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Any Contest Score Can be a Winner No Matter How Low It Is

By Pamela, S. Meyers

A native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, author Pamela S. Meyers lives in suburban Chicago with her two rescue cats. Her novels include Thyme for Love, and Love Will Find a Way, contemporary romantic mysteries, and her 1933 historical romance, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. When she isn’t at her laptop writing her latest novel, she can often be found nosing around Wisconsin and other midwestern spots for new story ideas.

Last week, as head coordinator for ACFW's 2015 Genesis Writing contest, I returned the first round judged entries that were not semi-finalists. Since then, I’ve heard some entrants express disappointment in their scores. Of course, we’ve all heard again and again how subjective these contests are  It’s the same with most everything from books, to movies, to food and fashion. Not everything appeals to everyone the same way. And it's that way with our writing. It's all subjective. But does that mean if we don't place in a contest all is lost? Of course not!

Some years ago, before I became involved in Genesis as the head coordinator, I decided to convert a third person POV manuscript into a first person POV. A daunting task, as anyone who has done this knows. I eagerly rubbed my hands together, anxious to let the process begin and was pleased with the results.

My crit partners had seen the story from its inception and I needed fresh eyes for feedback. What better place to find that than the ACFW Genesis Contest? I told myself it most likely wasn’t going to place, and that was okay. The judge feedback was what I was after. Meanwhile, I continued to work on the manuscript, and by the time the semi-finalists were announced, I’d changed the beginning at least three times.

Even though I’d said I wasn’t looking to move on to Round 2, when my name wasn’t on the semi-finalist list, I felt a strong tinge of disappointment, but I tucked it away. Late one evening, a couple weeks later, the judged entries arrived in my email. I knew better than to open them then since judges’ comments were likely the last thing I wanted in my head just before sleep. That notion lasted about five minutes. I opened them.

Bad mistake.

The scores were much lower than any I’d ever received in a contest. After I scraped myself up off the floor, I moved past the numerical scores and skimmed the judges’ comments, reading some and ignoring others, then licked my wounds and shut off the computer. I did fall right to sleep, but an hour later, my eyes popped open. My judged entries immediately materialized in my mind’s eye, and soon, the voices in my head began their taunts.

“You can’t write.”

“What were you thinking?”

“Time to give it up.”

On and on they went, until a Greater Voice broke through the clamour.  I sensed God was telling me it was time to get off the pity pot and focus on someone else. I began praying for a friend’s sister who was gravely ill. Within moments I fell back to sleep.

The next morning, I spent time in one of my favorite passages, Hebrews 10: 35-36:

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  

I’ve never doubted my call to write, and knew from Galatians 6:9 that God had promised me that at the proper time I would reap a harvest if I didn't give up. I camped on those verses for a length of time, meditating and praying, then called a crit partner.

She helped me realize that by switching genres I also needed to change how to begin my story. We brainstormed and soon, fresh ideas for new opening chapters flew between us faster than we could say them. She showed me that the judges’ comments were spot on because they pinpointed issues others had missed. That made entering the contest all the more worthwhile. I hung up with a renewed and energized spirit, grateful for all I had learned in a one-hour phone call and from some of the lowest contest scores I’d ever received.

Rarely have I regretted entering a writing contest, even if I didn’t place. And this experience was no different. No matter how low your scores on a contest entry are, remember there is always a nugget or two in the comments to help point you in the right direction. You just need to keep your eyes open so you don’t miss the prize.

What have you learned from your judged contest entries or from judging writing contests yourself?

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Triple Threat Marketing. Or How Not to C4 Your Marketing Attempts ~ Kelly Klepfer

Triple Threat or How Not To C4 Your Marketing Attempts

by Kelly Klepfer

Many authors have to do the majority of the marketing for

their books. Actually, let's just say all y'all do, some just have a little help from the pros.

One of those huge areas is securing reviews and influencers.

In case you need a refresher on dealing with reviewers, let me give you some behind the scenes help.

1) Searching for the Landmines

Most respected reviewers are sought after. I get at least thirty-five requests a week to review books. I can read, at best, two books a month. That leaves a lot of requests denied. My advice to those of you who need reviews and get a no from the reviewers you'd love to read your novel is to find newer reviewers who are honest, respectful and like your genre.

How you find these reviewers? Search out titles that are similar to your story and find reviews that meet your checklist.  Dig a little deeper and see how long the reviewer has been at it and how often she/he reviews. Authors who want to be published often go the review writing route first so they know a little about publishing and can write. Look for someone who has been reviewing on Amazon for about a year or two and has climbed pretty high on the top reviewer list. That's a good sign because it means people/customers read that reviewers opinions and consider them in their decision to buy or not buy. A really popular reviewer is going to get scads of offers though, so you want to find ones who are heading toward popular but not quite there yet for the quickest turn around.

2) Watch Your Step

Most reviewers have likes and dislikes. I don't really care for heavy political thrillers or sci-fi because I have a tendency to shut down when names, terminology and techy things are thrown at me. I also get a little gaggy when it comes to romance and Amish fiction. I know. I know. Un-American or something along those lines. But it is what it is. I'm very likely not going to love your book if you fall into those categories.

Find someone who loves books like yours. If you write clever dialogue or snarky characters or can make me cry with the depth of your prose, then I'm your gal. Feel free to use this when running your book past me. If you offer a reviewer a book he/she won't like, you won't get a good review and you might be burning a bridge. If you come upon an idea that would be his/her cup of tea in the future but you are under "tricked me with that stupid romance" in his/her memory banks you might regret the charcoaled remains of the bridge.

3) Put on Your Seatbelt and Big Kid Underoos

I don't need a thank you. If I loved a book that is thank you enough. But what I definitely don't need, what is completely inappropriate, and what is not burning bridges but C4'ing them into oblivion is suggesting that I didn't "get" a book, and that you'd like to explain it further to me. If it's written and published you've had your chance.  Another dynamite comment would be " if you would make a tweak of your review that would be awesome."    

Why is this an issue? Well, by seeking a review you are taking a chance that reviewers won't love or get you. Reviewers are representative of readers. Not everybody is going to get you, like your story, your sense of humor or your favorite outfit. It is what it is and you give up all control once your book is in the hand of the reviewer. Keep the lid on the gasoline can and respectfully and silently agree to disagree.

This might be a new thought for you as authors: my reviews are written for my audience, and yours. Readers. I believe that the majority of reviewers would agree with that statement. Otherwise reviews would be blurbs and wouldn't necessarily be considered in whether or not to part with money for a book. What I would like to know about a book before I buy it is what I like to share with readers. I do my best to do this kindly. I will not write a review on a book I don't like at all. I review books I'd buy or think others would find worth reading. But what I write -- with the exception of mechanical issues like the spelling of the author's name -- is my opinion of the book. If I am asked to reassess or change my review I am very, very unlikely to read any more from that author. Yes, I have been challenged, and yes, it is really annoying and no, I will not change a review and yes, I have put that handful of authors in my "don't go there" file.

Here is an additional marketing bonus tip. . . and you might be surprised at how often this is an issue. When you agree to do something to market your book, follow through. A blog post, an interview, a review of your work are all bridges to relationships with other folks in the industry and ultimately to your readers. Your choices, even the tiny ones, can honestly make a huge difference in your career. Be responsible, reliable, professional and humble. It will take you far.

Bio: Kelly Klepfer finally figured out that she loves to learn. And then share what she's learned with others. She reads and reviews and manages Novel Reviews because there is much to learn about life from fiction. Her own personal journey includes a zany mystery novel in process, co-authored with Michelle Griep, violin lessons, and cooking, baking and making some serious messes. Kelly shares about her life at Scrambled Dregs blog, in a collection of randomocity, recipes and her lessons learned.

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Rejection: Overcoming the Hurt, Recognizing the Blessings ~ Nava Atlas

Though Nava Atlas is best known as the author of many books on vegan vegetarian cooking, she also produces visual books on women’s issues, most recently The Literary Ladies’ Guide to the Writing Life (2011). This lavishly illustrated book explores the writing lives of twelve classic women authors in their own words, with commentary on the relevance of their experiences to all women who love to write.

Rejection and the Literary Ladies: Overcoming the Hurt, Recognizing the Blessings

Rejection, we’ve been told, is part of the path to publication. We’re told to grow a tough hide and accept that most rejections are nothing personal. Even so, rejection can sting—even the bland “not looking at this time,” or “not right for our list.” It’s difficult to separate the rejection of one’s work from the rejection of one’s self. Every “no,” however bland, plants a seed of self-doubt. Occasionally, even in longtime relationships with publishers and editors, I’ve had book proposals quashed as not having enough commercial promise. Though I understood these to be purely business decisions, and not about my ability, my immediate reaction was always a resounding “Ouch!”.

 

In my book, The Literary Ladies’ Guide to the Writing Life, I explore the writing life through the experiences of twelve classic women authors. How comforting it was to learn that, even among classic authors, the experiences of self-doubt, fear of failure, and rejection are universal. A few of the Literary Ladies were spared the blows of rejection, while others were positively hammered by it.

Madeleine L’Engle’s early literary life was famously marked with rejection. Her most iconic classic, A Wrinkle in Time, beloved by generations of children and adults alike, was rejected by some forty publishers as being too dark for children. Her faith in the book held fast. After nearly giving up, it found a home and sweet vindication in the form of millions of copies sold and numerous awards.

Charlotte Brontë was as peeved as any author would be when her first novel, The Professor, met with outright rejection or cold silence as it made its way around the London publishing circle. Galling as this was, she didn’t sit idly by. Instead, she busied herself on her next project — as every sensible writer should. When a publisher finally saw enough merit in The Professor to invite Brontë to submit a different work for consideration, she had Jane Eyre at the ready. The publisher printed and published it in mere weeks, whereupon it became an immediate sensation, and a best seller.

L. M. Montgomery, best known for the Anne of Green Gables series, wrote in her memoir, “At first I used to feel dreadfully hurt when a story or poem over which I had laboured and agonized came back, with one of  those icy little rejection slips. Tears of disappointment would come in spite of myself...But after a while I got hardened to it and did not mind. I only set my teeth and said, “I will succeed.” I believed in myself, and I struggled on, in secrecy and silence...”

Gaining courage from eventual acceptance of shorter works, Montgomery began submitting her first full-length work, Anne of Green Gables. Demoralized after a slew of rejections, she stashed the manuscript in a hatbox, and left it to languish. After a year or so, she steeled herself to try again. Though she struggled mightily with depression, Montgomery was clear in her mission to bring joy to others through her work, and that she did accomplish, not only with her most iconic Anne series, but her subsequent books as well.

Years later, musing on her path to publication, Montgomery recounted how a book she wrote early in her writing life, but clearly not from her heart, was soundly rejected. Though it hurt at the time, in hindsight, she recognized how lucky she was to have escaped getting locked into a niche that was wrong from her.

To be rejected for not being yourself, as Montgomery found out, can be a valuable gift to a writer, especially one just finding her voice. From Brontë’s experience it’s clear that it’s wise to continue working, rather than pining away for acceptance (in her case especially wise, as The Professor was published only after her death). And from Madeleine L’Engle’s experience we can take away a message that perseverance, coupled with faith in our work (accompanied by absolute honesty about its merits) is a path to eventual success.

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