Writing is not for the faint of heart. Nearly every step of the way involves writer rejection letters, especially if you put your work out there. Rejections come from agents, publishers, and sometimes even readers.
Here are two examples of writer rejection letters from my files of what they call in the biz a “good” rejection. How the words ‘good’ and ‘rejection’ can be used together in one sentence is questionable. But while all rejections are hard, these are also heartening. See if you agree with me.
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for sending me [xyz] but sadly I must turn down the opportunity of representing your novel. I found much to admire in these pages, and it’s clear you are a talented writer but I’m afraid I simply did not connect fully enough with this material to feel I could champion your work effectively.
I wish I wasn’t sending such a disappointing response and I hope you find a terrific agent soon. This is an impressive manuscript so I have no doubt you will find the perfect advocate –good luck and very best wishes. With regrets….[super agent to the stars]
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Here’s one for a different manuscript:
Dear Susan,
Apologies for taking so long to get to [qrs] I read the manuscript when you first sent it, then put it away to read again later, as I wanted to think about it before looking at it again. I read it again this weekend and although there are so many things I love about it, I’ve come to the difficult decision to pass on it. What I love about the book is the smart, funny voice of the narrator. It would not be overstating it to say that she is reminiscent of Harper Lee’s Scout. And the two lead characters are beautifully crafted. I feel like I know them quite well.
(But:……. I’ll spare you the details since you don’t know the story and it won’t make any sense to you, but it wasn’t anything big or horrible. Then she kept going. Very sweet of her, actually.)
It’s because I like your writing so much that I’m trying to explain this. I hope it makes sense. I’d love to read more of your work.
Thanks for letting me take a look at this. I’m sorry that in the end it wasn’t right for me. I think you’re hugely talented.
…..Executive Editor, [Random House imprint]
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I have to admit I like the part about being “hugely talented,” and any time you get compared to Harper Lee it’s time to throw a party! So that’s the heartening part. However, the longer I do this (15+ years and counting) the more I realize that writing takes courage and perseverance, as well as a belief in yourself and your work. Rejections are hard, no matter how good those rejection letters get.
Are you good at taking rejection? Thoughts? Questions? As always, I’d love to hear from you.
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Update: The Secret Sense of Wildflower AUDIO book is now available on Audible, Amazon and iTunes!
I love to read all your articles and blogs about writing and I would most certainly vote in your poll, but I have yet to get any rejections (or acceptances for that matter). I think I will throw a celebration party when I get my first rejection letter because that will mean that I’ve finally written and submitted something! I love the fact that you shared a couple rejection letters, I really was curious what they look like. Thanks for your always inspiring writing!
This is one reason why more and more it makes so much sense to self-publish. Your success isn’t predicated on someone’s whim–someone who by definition is wrong more than they’re right–and when you consider that today cover art fees, proof-reading, etc., is all taken out of what they pay you, it just makes sense to do it yourself. You’re literally not losing anything that I can see.
Thanks for your feedback on my blog, Sherman. It’s nice to hear from you. I wonder sometimes how my posts are received.
I love your idea of celebrating your first rejection letter! It truly is reason to celebrate when you have written and had the courage to submit something. You have a wonderful attitude. Keep writing! And come back and let us know when you get your first rejection.
Hi John,
Well there is some sleep lost, for sure, at least there was for me. And you still have to pay for some things, like editing, setup fees, cover…Of course you do your wonderful covers yourself, so that’s great! Covers are usually the biggest expense. You also spend A LOT of time trying to get your work in front of readers and rising above the fray, which means giving away some books, which aren’t free either. As well as a thousand additional things you would be doing whether you self or traditionally published.
Sometimes a traditional publisher can help you get some credibility and that’s worth something. But, as you know, more and more the line is blurring. Now traditionally published authors are wanting to break into self-publishing for their books that have gone out of print, or for things they (or their agents) haven’t been able sell to a traditional publisher. Everything is changing.
For me, I’m not going for either/or but both/and.
Always great to hear from you John.
Ah. What a chord this post struck. In the days of paper, I amassed a whole folder of similar notes. However, no one has ever compared me to Harper Lee. That would have kept me going for twenty years, at least! I’m reading Wildflower right now. It’s exquisite, and I’m studying carefully your use of fresh similes.
Hi Barbara,
Yes, the “good old days” killed a lot of trees. Just my stack of rejections alone! The Harper Lee thing will probably keep me going for twenty years, too. Just prop me up in the elder-care unit and I’ll keep writing!
Thanks for stopping by and a special, super-dooper thanks for reading Wildflower’s story and for using the word “exquisite” in the same sentence. You have a friend for life. Maybe we can visit each other in elder care? 🙂
Hi Susan,
I am so very happy that you are a successful writer. Indeed a successful writer is anything but “thin skinned”, and, unfortunately, most have to be content with the sheer need and pleasure of writing itself. Carry on sister, we are with you all the way….!!!
Cheers,
Trélys
Well, that’s exactly my point, that one has to pay for proofing and cover art anyway, so rather than be subjected to a publisher’s whims, just do it all yourself. As for greater credibility, I think that’s changing. Plus conventional houses don’t necessarily do a lot for you, unless you’re JK or EL. Most people find out about novels through word of mouth, Goodreads, displays in bookstores, which are mostly indie at this point, Amazon recommendations, etc. Except for indie distribution a publisher can’t really help me, and sometimes not even there. I don’t see billboards or Goodyear blimps advertising the latest Ann Patchett novels. (On that subject, look for my upcoming blog post about self-marketing your work.) One prominent writer who talked about how he got published said there was a huge marketing budget deducted from his advance, and he never for the life of him saw anything for it. He appeared on some TV news shows because he himself made the calls and booked the interviews. When he brought up his dissatisfaction to his publisher, said publisher cited the TV interviews as proof he got something for his money! Maybe that experience isn’t typical, but it’s probably not “rare” either.
As for my “wonderful” covers (thank you!), there are really only a few basic things you have to remember to make decent covers: simple, clean image, at most TWO or ideally even ONE font/typeface, and give it variety by altering the stroke (thickness) or tracking (space between letters). How you can tell amateur cover design is lots of fonts and colors and different sizes, all in the interest of “variety.” But the most eye-catching covers are really very simple, like this beauty:
https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/web/babb/career/images/LRG_WhoseNames.jpg