The first thing that caught my attention this morning was this email:
Dear D B,
Thank you for your submission and for your interest in ******. We have now had a chance to read your opening chapters and I am sorry to say that we don’t feel it is something that we can offer to represent. I’m really sorry to disappoint but I wish you every success in your search for a suitable agent.
With best wishes,
S
Needless to say, it shook me awake. I had that awful knot in my gut that threatened to make me cry.
But then, whilst scrolling through Pinterest, in an attempt to ‘get over it’ I saw this:
‘I can’t believe that!’ said Alice.
‘Can’t you?’ the Queen said in a pitying tone. ‘Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.’
Alice laughed. ‘There’s no use trying,’ she said: ‘one can’t believe impossible things.’
‘I daresay you haven’t had much practice,’ said the Queen. ‘When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
― Lewis Carroll
I’ve never been very good with rejection. In my mind, they’ve made a mistake. I’ll be accepted somewhere, somewhere good. This is my unshakeable belief.
I’m very good at believing in impossible things.
I think you didn’t get many rejections in your life so you get so overly sad now, right?
Actually, I’ve been rejected a lot, I just tend to turn it around in my head. Either I fight until I’m accepted, as in jobs or I convince myself it just wasn’t the right time. I’m not sad…not at all…I’m very hopeful, hence the Alice quote 🙂
Have you ever considered self-publication, particularly so with eBooks? That is the way forward, for sure.
Thanks for the suggestion. Actually, I have considered it, but I want to exhaust all other options first. Let’s see. And perhaps, if I’m being self critical, maybe it’s not ready for publication. Hmm…let’s see. 🙂
Exactly! They’re the ones that missed out and because of that, you’ll find someplace so much better. Keep the faith!
Thank you! You’re always so encouraging. I have no idea what the future holds, but one rejection mail is not going to stop me from doing what I have to do. Onwards, upwards, bigger, better 🙂
Been there. It’s a horrible feeling! I’m still struggling with my manuscript but I refuse to give up! 😀
I’m so glad to know that you’re not giving up. I am sure there is a publisher out there for everyone but it just may not be the right time. Keep going and Good Luck! 🙂