I only have one rejection under my belt, and the disappointment was crushing, but I believe that I handled it pretty well. The dejection settled in me for a day, maybe two, numbing my normally hot temper and silencing my ever active tongue. I couldn't write, didn't want to go back to that particular piece, and reading - my favorite outlet - was off the agenda.
You're thinking, where's this bit about "taking it well"? LOL I'm getting there, be patient!
The thing is, I looked at my rejection objectively. My first (and so far, only) submission was for an anthology through an e-pub I particularly love. I saw it on their site twenty days before the open call deadline. I frantically worked for sixteen of those twenty days (my baby became ill and my mom hat was securely on my head). You wouldn't believe the hours, the rewrite, the editing, and the polishing, all without the eyes of any reader or CP, though any of them would have gladly helped me out.
Mine was probably one of a hundred (maybe more) entries, and I missed the deadline by one minute - read above where baby was sick and I lost days. There were quite a few grammatical errors both in the MS and the synopsis, and my "world building" was incomplete.
Maybe my writing was just that bad.
Any of these factors could have contributed to my rejection.
I didn't take it personally.
Neither should you at the iHeart site. The competition was fierce, as always, the editors looked for those pieces that fit their line, as always; your rejection wasn't personal, and the winners deserve their justified applause for all of their hard work. Please don't minimize their achievement because you feel cheated.
As many other hopefuls and published authors have stated: your catty behavior will only jeopardize your possible future relationship with that house. Be gracious. Thank the editor's for their time, this wonderful chance to have your work read, and hope that you get some constructive feedback.
Okay, done venting
Hi Hetal, I came across your blog few days ago and thought I'll drop a line. You're very right in what you said, I was shocked at the sheer bile and cattiness of some of the people. I wonder how these people write romance? surely a positive frame of mind helps you achieve the best - maybe then its not a surprise why they acted out like they did!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in historicals, however, like you I also like the paranormals. I've been toying with some ideas, will see if anything comes to fruition.
all the best,
Ferdous
Welcome Ferdous! Can I possibly return the favor? Let me know the link to your blog :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the lack of decorum over there, like you, I wonder at these people's frame of mind. Honestly, that's probably the first of many rejections on the road to publication, but because the contest was advertised so well, participants felt the need to retaliate for no reason. It was indeed catty and childish and I only hope they form a thicker skin.
If you'd like to bounce anything off me, feel free. Otherwise, stop by often and good luck with your journey.
~Hetal
Hi Hetal, thanks for the welcome. I don't have a blog yet otherwise you would be very welcome to the link. I started writing quite a few years ago, took a break when I had my children. Last year, I took voluntary redundancy from work to 1) spend time with my youngest who was just a year old then and 2) to concentrate on my writing. I've spend this year with a mixture of result, could have been a whole lot better so very determined to do more in 2010, maybe start submitting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the offer of 'bouncing ideas', will def. take that up. Can I ask, have you submitted anything/or been published? how long have you been writing?
take care
Ferdous