Agents and Editors
Writing a novel is hard work, no matter the genre. It takes weeks, months, maybe even years to polish and perfect the story. Long hours sitting at the keyboard, chugging the caffeine to stay awake, obsessing about word choice; in the end, it's worth it. You have a finished product you're proud of and ready to shop to agents and editors, hoping someone will like your work and publish it. But as with writing the story, finding the right home takes time, too.
Agents and editors are like the rest of us; they're human. They work long hours at their offices, helping existing clients and those who are new. I'm willing to wager some take their work home with them. It's their job to read through the solicitations, filter out what they deem is good and not good or what might be good with a little more work. And then letters are sent to writers, either asking to read more of your work or rejecting it. Rejections aren't meant to anger you. They're sent because the story isn't right for them at that time or because they feel it needs more polishing before it's ready for publication. To assume an agent or editor doesn't like you is unfair.
When a manuscript lands on an agent or editor's desk, he/she knows absolutely nothing about you, other than the little they've garnered from your cover letter. They read your work and make the best decision they can, for you and for them. And if they take the time to write comments in the margins, count yourself lucky and learn from what they are saying. Don't take their rejection personal. Don't bad-mouth them. Pick yourself up. Dust off the blues and get back to work, because rejections are a part of your job. They signify your dedication to your work, your belief in yourself and your continued effort for success. Even the most famous authors received rejections before they were published.
I can't tell you how many rejections I received before getting published. Sure, I felt sad, discouraged, but in this business you have to develop tough skin. You have to be willing to listen and learn from your mistakes. I did. My problem was POV. Once I learned it, I moved ahead and kept sending out inquiries. I developed patience; something we all have to have when waiting to hear back from an agent or editor. And I remained courteous and professional. Plus, I was stubborn and would not give up. I wanted my book published.
So take comfort in the fact a rejection means you're doing your job. You're getting your name out there and you're learning, and that's something we as writers do daily--learn.
Agents and editors are like the rest of us; they're human. They work long hours at their offices, helping existing clients and those who are new. I'm willing to wager some take their work home with them. It's their job to read through the solicitations, filter out what they deem is good and not good or what might be good with a little more work. And then letters are sent to writers, either asking to read more of your work or rejecting it. Rejections aren't meant to anger you. They're sent because the story isn't right for them at that time or because they feel it needs more polishing before it's ready for publication. To assume an agent or editor doesn't like you is unfair.
When a manuscript lands on an agent or editor's desk, he/she knows absolutely nothing about you, other than the little they've garnered from your cover letter. They read your work and make the best decision they can, for you and for them. And if they take the time to write comments in the margins, count yourself lucky and learn from what they are saying. Don't take their rejection personal. Don't bad-mouth them. Pick yourself up. Dust off the blues and get back to work, because rejections are a part of your job. They signify your dedication to your work, your belief in yourself and your continued effort for success. Even the most famous authors received rejections before they were published.
I can't tell you how many rejections I received before getting published. Sure, I felt sad, discouraged, but in this business you have to develop tough skin. You have to be willing to listen and learn from your mistakes. I did. My problem was POV. Once I learned it, I moved ahead and kept sending out inquiries. I developed patience; something we all have to have when waiting to hear back from an agent or editor. And I remained courteous and professional. Plus, I was stubborn and would not give up. I wanted my book published.
So take comfort in the fact a rejection means you're doing your job. You're getting your name out there and you're learning, and that's something we as writers do daily--learn.
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