Tuesday, September 25, 2012

75 Rejections in 7 Months




I started querying my middle-grade book, The Dream Keeper, back in late February –early March. A few weeks into it I received my first rejection and thought, “no problem there are plenty more agents to send to.”  As the weeks past I began to get more.  I then started querying agents a few weeks ago for my picture book, Bean’s Dragons.  I’ve gotten two rejections so far.  At first I wasn’t sure if I was up to doing this all over again.  It is so hard to put so much time and effort into a book and then have someone tell you that it’s just not for them.  I have come to realize some important things in dealing with rejections.

You cannot take rejections personal!  Seriously!  They are not rejecting you as a person; they are rejecting the opportunity to take on a project they’re not familiar with.  I try to think of my book as a flavor of ice cream that no one has ever tried.  Most people are hesitant to try a new flavor.  They are familiar with what they know.  It takes a lot for someone to try something different.  Perhaps your book is one of those flavors unknown to others.  Just because they don’t know what it tastes like and they don’t want to sample it, doesn’t mean you have failed as a writer.

Never give up!  Believe me I have been there too.  After I finished the last illustration for Bean’s Dragons I went back to my list of agents I’d queried.  Most of them took on picture books too and so I wanted to review them.  As I went down the page I began to count.  Once I past 50, I began to feel like a loser.  When I stopped counting at 73 I felt even worse.  All but three agents I queried have rejected me.  The remaining three I have yet to hear back from.  I wanted to give up.  I didn’t even want to try querying my new book, because I didn’t want to go through the roller coaster of dread anymore.  But I knew that if I wanted my dreams of becoming a fulltime author/illustrator to happen, I had to make the effort

I have a quote that is tapped to the bottom of my computer screen, “Never, ever, sacrifice what you want the most, for what you want the most at the moment.”-James Owen.  I wanted at the moment to throw in the rag and call my work nothing more than a worthless hobby and focus on liking my regular job rather than hating it.  But If I called it quits I’d be sacrificing my dream for the rewards of failure.  So I reasserted myself and queried a few agents.  I’ve received two rejections so far for my picture book, and I’m okay.  I hurt inside, but I’m okay—my flavor wasn’t right for them.

I guess what I wanted to say in this post was that it’s tough.  It’s downright hard as hell to succeed in your dreams, but it’s the climb that makes you strong.  With every rejection I am better able to handle the self-doubt; I am better able to try harder.  So please, never, ever give up.  Keep trying and I know that one day we’ll all look back on our succeeded dreams and be more grateful for the journey we had obtaining them.  Now I’m going to go and send more queries.  And that’s my key on dealing with 75 rejections in 7 months.

14 comments:

  1. Elana Johnson received an award at a conference a couple of years ago for having gotten something like 300 rejections and yet her first book came out that year. Never surrender!

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    1. Thanks Donna! Yes, never surrender! Anyone who deals well with a rejection is my hero. And congrats to you on your signing with Rhemalda, best wishes on your book.

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  2. Your keep-going attitude is inspirational, Mikey! I can't imagine anyone rejecting your stories, especially with these awesome illustrations. You've got talent!

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    1. Thanks Stacy! I just have to keep going because I have no other choice. My dream will not make themselves happen. Endurance is the key. I'm glad you like my art. I try my best and hope it shows. Thanks again!

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  3. Mikey, I haven't gotten any rejections yet, simply because I've been too timid to send anything out yet; Yet being the operative word. Thank you for the tips I have tucked them away for future reference. :O)

    Its hard for me to even fathom you getting any rejections for such great talent!
    ~Joyce S.

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    1. Joyce,
      We need to get you out of your timid stage. If you have a MS ready its time to get going. If you need help writing your query or finding the right agent or publisher let me know. I'd love to help you continue on your journey.
      Rejection is just part of the game. It keeps me humble. I'd imagine I'd get a pretty big head if I sent out one query and it was cake from then on. I've learned so much on this journey that its worth the hard times. As long as endurance is the goal, there is no worries.
      Best wishes to you, and let me know if you'd like some tips or help.

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  4. I would say 75 submissions is something to applaud right at the start. I love your dragon illustrations!

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    1. Thanks for cheering. :) and thank you for the complement.

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  5. You've got a great attitude. I got another rejection yesterday, out of the blue. I wasn't expecting to hear from the other agents after this long. They said if I didn't get an answer after a couple of weeks, consider it a no. But seeing it written was a wakeup call, and overshadowed my day. I'm still not brave enough to illustrate a children's book.

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    1. Having my art rejected as well as my writing is a whole new aspect on the rejection process. Its difficult, but achievable. As to your bravery, a little measure of courage goes a long way. I encourage you to try, try , try. The worst that could happen is someone says no thanks. The best that could happen...well, that's up to you. :)

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  6. One day at a time. Just take it day by day and it will happen. I've really struggled with having this last child. She was a surprise and I feel like she's thrown a monkey wrench into my equation. For two years now my writing has been somewhat stagnant. I'm trying to get back into it all but I get frustrated with how much time this little one takes from me. I love her dearly but, I still have goals...

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    1. I understand your frustrations. I have to work 48 hours a week at the bakery and come home to a wife that desperately needs a break from two over active girls. Finding time to spend with them, help my wife, work, write, and illustrate, its all overwhelming. I want to be the best at everything. Sometimes you just have to be the best at being you.
      It will all get better soon. Ive noticed as Roeinna has gotten older Ive learned ways to include her in my projects. I'm also blessed to have an understanding wife who takes the girls to their grandma's house, a lot. And sometimes it takes getting up, even on my day off at 3am to write.
      Good luck! Like you said, just take it one day at a time.

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  7. Yes, the writing journey is a struggle and a blessing and I believe what life in general is all about: learning, growing, preparing for something better. It's always wonderful if you can take along good friends and family and learn to see others and yourself differently.

    After receiving several rejections of my 1st book, I overhauled it a few times and I learned the craft of writing better. My 4th version of my 1st book is the best version--and it's finally published.

    Our journey as writer's parallels with our journeys of being people--as long as we keep trying to do the right things, we only get better.

    One thing I am learning from the most successful writers is there is a time and season. If you keep going, once you see success, it often comes on many fronts.

    When you connect with the right agent, you will be even busier as both a writer and an illustrator, as well as just being a good guy who shares his time, heart, talent with others.

    I try to remember that the joy is in the journey, not just the destination. :)Because once you arrive at one destination, it's time to move on to the next.:)

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    1. Beautifully written and well recieved. Thank you so much. Encouragement is the key to continuing on the journey.

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