Second-Guessing Game

In the writer's world, a rejection is probably the toughest thing to process and internalize. One of my book submissions was recently rejected. As in most cases, I really don't have any concrete idea why. The vast majority of rejections are done via a polite uninformative form letter for one simple reason--time.

When a publisher/editor rejects a book, regardless of the reason, they have determined that book will not be part of their future. Why spend any more time on something that will show no monetary return? It isn't their responsibility to help the author further their career.

That creates a quandary for the writer. Initially, there's the urge to write back, offering to fix whatever needs to be changed. We have so little true confidence we immediately assume there must be something wrong with our writing. Perhaps it was a lousy book...Maybe our writing sucks.

But wait! There are other reasons for a book to be rejected, my inner voice cautions.

Oh, yeah? the sucky writer part of me jeers. Name one.

Well. I flounder to a halt, madly searching my brain for one legitimate reason. I know! The book might be too long.

So? If that was the case, wouldn't they say 'revise and resubmit'? taunts the sucky writer.

Maybe. Maybe not. Or maybe the book didn't fit exactly in one of the genres they sell.

Sucky writer snorts. Riiiiight.

Well, they might have too many Celtic Time Travel Survival Suspense Romances on their roster.

Sucky writer makes a rude noise.

All right. Maybe there was too much sex.

At that sucky writer rolls on the floor laughing.

Not enough sex?

Maybe that scene where they get it on in the rain? sucky writer challenges slyly.

That wasn't that hot, I object.

Get a beta reader, sucky writer dares.

Yeah. Get a beta reader, I agree.

In the meantime, I'll get back on my writing horse and start another book.

anny