Well today I went to the mailbox and found another rejection for my single-title length manuscript (you guys know which one I’m talking about, the one that does well in contests, has been solicited, and garners personalized responses, but I can’t get agented for). Once again it was a lovely personalized letter telling me “how much (she) enjoyed reading it” but the agent “just didn’t feel strongly enough about it” to represent it. Lord, today it really floored me. (I cried. 
I never do that!)
Usually I’m pretty adept at handling it (I mean I’ve gone the rounds with this story, but hell it’s got to be salable or it wouldn’t do so well in contests, get solicited, and get such warm rejections *oxymoron*) I need a critique group or something. I just am not willing to kill this ms yet.
Now I should point out that I sent the partial to this agent back in March and it has been extensively rewritten since then, but still… Ouch!
I’ve been struck a crushingly miserable blow today.
“You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement while you are learning. Like any other artist, you are learning your craft — then you can add all the genius you like.” - Phyllis Whitney
I think part of my problem is that four of my other stories are under consideration at three different publishers and the waiting is killing me. On days like today I begin to wonder–am I waiting impatiently only to receive more heartbreak? Nevermind that my work was solicited.
what if?
what if?
what if?
Self-doubt brought on by a mere wisp of a letter meant to be discouragingly encouraging. Will I survive the experience if my other works are similarly rejected?
Maudlin. That’s what I am right now. I’m going back to work. :plain:
Thank you for the support! You guys are awesome!
on July 24th, 2004 at 9:23 am
BEGONE DOUBT DEMONS! :crazy:
(((Sylvia)))
There’s nothing I can say to make you feel better that no one else has already said. I will say this, it used to irritate the living daylights out of me when folks said "you’ll find that agent that loves it" but you know, it’s true.
on July 24th, 2004 at 7:10 am
Ouch! I’m so sorry Sylvia.
on July 23rd, 2004 at 1:38 pm
That’s real bad luck .. hope you’re not too discouraged though - if you have faith in your work then you’ll surely find someone else that will recognise it’s true worth - it’s just finding that person!
Have you considered forming a cooperative and publishing yourself ? Perhaps find yourself a good print-on-demand shop and have some short runs done ?
Whatever happens, hang on in there !
on July 23rd, 2004 at 8:39 am
Oh, Syliva–that sucks! I know you said the pity party is over, but it still sucks. I’ve got a ms. like that–has finaled in every contest I’ve entered it in, and people love it, yet editors don’t seem to see the brilliance!
Good luck with the other mss.!
on July 23rd, 2004 at 6:10 am