Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for this brainchild, and many writers for their support in this group. This month Alex's co-hosts are:
Krista McLaughlin http://www.kjmclaughlin.com/
Kim Van Sickler - http://swaggerwriters.
Heather Gardner - http://hmgardner.blogspot.com/
Hart Johnson - http://waterytart23.blogspot.com/
Still waiting for that dang laptop charger to come in the mail, and even paid extra to have it expedited. I'm thankful my friend is letting me use his computer for this post. Now off to my insecurities and maybe my fellow writers can give me feedback.
I have 2 complete manuscripts and believe they are somewhat decent. I've been editing each one which seems like for the millionth time. Needless to say, even after requests, the rejections are hitting the avalanche stage. Should I scrap the ms altogether which really is depressing, or, Should I pack it away for a while? Should I persevere with the querying process? I've been thinking of hitting the smaller press markets like Black Opal Books which published my first 2 books. What would you do?
Planted in my laptop are roughly 3 started novels. (And 2 shelved) Since rejections are piling up, I tend to doubt my writing capabilities and feel why continue day after day. We all know writing is hard work and in my case, an extremely slow writer, it takes time, lots of time to make a novel pristine.
I'm done with my whimpering rant for this month, what are your writer's insecurities?
We are also trying to get the IWSG on the Writers Digest
Best 101 Websites list!Please email them
and suggest the IWSG
Thanks!!
I was actually in your same situation. I had two manuscripts that I loved and were getting some great feedback from agents and readers, but no offers of representation. Ultimately, I decided to put one aside for the moment and focus on self-publishing the other. I am so excited to put my debut novel out into the world! I got a professional editorial review from CreateSpace, considered the input and revised the novel another time and then found a line editor to make it grammatically perfect and an artist to create my cover art. It is time to publish. I don't want to put it off any longer. Maybe you are arriving at the same point? If you want to talk further about your options right now, e-mail me at kimvansickler (at) gmail (dot) com. Good luck moving forward!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim, I'll be in touch.
DeleteMe personally? I would try smaller press and keep writing on. I think as publishing houses feel the squeeze, there will be fewer and fewer books bought by them. And every big press was once a small press. No shame in starting small, especially if you are writing for love of the process.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I think that's route I'll take, thank you!
DeleteI'm with Elizabeth. Being you, I'd try the small press as well. Keep writing in between, and if you feel you need a break, then finish up another ms before coming back to these. Don't give up! Rejections are more the norm unfortunately. Most of the time it's more about the "fit" with them or maybe they already have similar stories, SO many factors. Keep that chin up and keep going!
ReplyDeleteThanks SK. I'm starting to feel better.
DeleteI would try the smaller companies, Cathrina, especially since they liked your work before. Don't be discouraged. Even Dr. Suess and the Chicken Soup for the Soul authors were rejected zillions of times.
ReplyDeleteReally?! Thanks Deanie.
DeleteGo with the smaller presses. I've met some small publishers at conferences and they are wonderful. One thing I've learned about the small presses it that, while they are super selective, they are also very enthusiastic about the books they publish.
ReplyDeleteFind a few that are in your genre and give it a go! Don't give up. Your voice is unique; keep it that way!
Thanks, Gina.
DeleteHope that charger comes soon!
ReplyDeleteYou've had success with a small press - I'd say try them again.
Still waiting for that charger...
DeleteI'd go with the small presses as well. Your writing is so good I know one of them will snatch up your manuscripts. :)
ReplyDeleteAww...you're too sweet Julie, thank you!
DeleteI wouldn't scrap it, especially if you like it. I'm going to echo the others and say go with the smaller press.
ReplyDeleteWow, I think you're all in the same frame of mind, and I like it!!!
DeleteTrying to, Karen.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that I'm qualified to give advice but if everyone loves it then maybe shelving it doesn't really do anything because the problem is not with the novel, just with the market and target publisher. I say go for small press too or maybe even consider self-publishing? Whatever you decide, good luck!
ReplyDeleteDO NOT SCRAP THEM! Yes I used caps. Should I repeat it too. There is a place for your books. Look at Thomas Edison with all of his rejections. Refer back to my first four words, now bold it in your head.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the caps, Nana!
DeleteI've been where you are. First, don't stop querying. I queried almost 150 agents and half rejected before I got a yes. I'm a very slow writer too and revise things into the ground. It takes me a year to get a novel into pristine condition - and I'm retired so all I do is write, every day. Don't give up hope. But you also have to realize the big pubbers want "high concept" novels with very big stakes, so when choosing a new project, try to choose the one you think is most commercial. Good luck!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lexa.
DeleteI'm with the others - try the small presses. I'm with one and I know a lot of excellent writers that are published by small presses.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roland
DeleteYou're entering publishing at a great time for writers. You have a lot of choices. Of course, that adds to your work. You have a lot of research to do so you'll choose wisely for yourself. I'm sure you'll do just that and I'm sure you'll be shouting out about your debut novel.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, CL
DeleteSince I don't believe in the traditional publishing model, I wouldn't query at all.
ReplyDeleteIt would make life easier...
DeleteHang in there!
ReplyDeleteTrying Lara, thanks.
DeleteDoubt can be really hard to deal with. I have an entire folder of shelved books. I tried, but they weren't picked up and I'm okay with that. Sometimes you do have to shelve a book and write another and another. Each one gets better. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Krista.
DeleteDon't scrap anything. You can take ideas and bits and pieces from them later on. I've done it! Good luck and have a great rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteGood Idea, Christine.
DeleteI'm a slow writer too, so I feel your pain. I recommend you don't ditch your work. Not altogether. You might just need a little break from it.
ReplyDeleteLynda, good advice, thank you.
DeleteI'd give them to a couple people you trust, maybe people who write in the genre, for feedback as to why it might not be working. AND I'd go visit Sarah Ahier--she got an agent and a book deal recently, but if you read her post on just HOW MUCH submitting and feedback she needed to GET THERE it will give you heart.
ReplyDeleteHart, thank you.
ReplyDeleteWell if Dr Seuss was rejected then definitely hang in there! I loved reading him to the kids :) Keep at the submissions but maybe pick up something different for a few weeks to help you re-focus :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne @ Suzannes-Tribe
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