Trunking a novel

I've had countless story ideas that have never made it to the page. I've got two completely outlined stories yet to be written. I've got several incomplete stories that have been all but forgotten. I even have a few completed novels that will never be edited. Of all the stories I've completed, edited, and submitted, I've never trunked a full novel.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, I received my rejection letter from Carina Press for Dark Heritage. It looked like yet another form letter rejection.

I've tried revamping my query letter. I've done some re-writes and edits on the novel itself. It just isn't finding a home. I love this story and its characters. However, I'm afraid that it just isn't unique enough to get published. 

Now I'm faced with the choice of submitting to another publisher or trunking the novel entirely. There is no shame in putting a novel into that magical writing trunk. I know I can take it out later if I find a suitable publisher. I know that the next thing I write will be better for the lessons I learned writing Dark Heritage. It's just hard to accept that it won't see print, e- or otherwise.