On Rejection
By Ray Rhamey | July 15, 2010 |
First, a little animated video I made on the subject.
Secondly, I’ve never been rejected
My submissions to agents and publishers have never been rejected. There have, however, been a few hundred times when they declined the opportunity to represent me or publish my stuff. You see, in my records, I never use the word “rejection.” Nope. My note says “declined.” Much better, don’t you think?
I think that when your writing and storytelling reaches a professional level it truly is not about rejection. It’s about fit–I think agents mean it when they say they just didn’t love it enough to take it on, and I think that’s valid.
After seeing more than 400 opening chapters submitted for critiques on my blog, Flogging the Quill, and having seen only a handful that I thought were immediately publishable (although many more did reach the level of a narrative that was compelling enough to turn the page), I have great empathy for agents who see hundreds upon hundreds of submissions.
When an agent sends a submission to a publisher, they’re putting their reputations on the line. Each submission can impact the willingness of an acquisition editor to look at the next submission from that agent. Enough submissions that totally miss the mark or lack the quality needed to be publishable and I’ll bet that agent’s submissions are pretty much ignored. An agent can’t afford to send out anything less that what she or he figures is not only the best-written material possible, but material that fits a publisher’s list. They have to love it.
On form rejections
I also see and agree with the need of agents and publishers who receive hundreds and hundreds of queries in their “slush” to use a form rejection. It’s hard enough work for me to do a brief critique of first pages on my blog three times a week; make it 300 and I’d have a breakdown. It’s just not possible or even rational to write a personal rejection note for everything, especially when the vast majority of submissions don’t reach the necessary minimum of being professionally written and told.
Are there “good” rejections?
I think so. With submissions that come close, some giving agents will include a note saying why, or even offering suggestions for improvement. I’ve never gotten the improvement variety of decline, but I’ve received two other kinds, one of which is helpful and the other of which is crazy-making.
Several generous agents who truly appreciated the quality of the pages I submitted but who also declined the opportunity have referred me to other agents for whom they thought the material was a better fit. So far, none of those referrals have paid off, but there’s one currently outstanding for which I have some optimism.
And then there are the ones that make you nuts. I’ve mostly received those on submissions for my novel about a vampire kitty-cat, The Vampire Kitty-cat Chronicles, now on sale at Amazon.com. Here are some of them; I think you’ll see why they make me crazy.
“I really like your writing style and was captured by that, but I can’t get past a book narrated by a cat.”
“I love vampire kitty cat, I just don’t know what to do with it.”
“I greatly enjoyed the premise, and it’s clear you’re a talented writer.”
“There’s a lot to admire here. Your writing is cool and arresting and the story is well paced, not to mention highly original.”
“This is unique, voicey and hilarious– and not quite right for me. Gah!!!”
“I like this idea a lot but I honestly see this as a graphic novel (which I think would be hilarious).”
“While it is amusing and probably highly commercial, ultimately I don’t think it is a good fit for me.”
Argh!
What to do with “declines”
Whatever the form of rejection, don’t take it personally. The agent or publisher is responding ONLY to what happens in their brains when they scan and decipher a number of black symbols on a white piece of paper or monitor screen. That’s it. You may have put a lot of “you” into your writing, but they don’t know that. It’s about the work, not you.
Dealing with the boilerplate letter or email that doesn’t say anything: despite understanding the need for such things, I still resent them for a minute or so. I mean, you’re saying that my writing isn’t good enough for a real reply!? Humph!
Dealing with the “nice, but” responses like some of the above: I take heart. The submission has the right stuff, I just haven’t knocked on the right door, and there may be one out there.
Dealing with referrals: Send an immediate note of gratitude to the referring agent followed by a query to the referred agent. And I make a note that here’s an agent who respects my work well enough that she/he may be open to something else.
So tell us, what’s one of your favorite rejections?
Ray Rhamey is the author of five novels and one writing craft book, Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling. He’s also an editor of book-length fiction and designs book covers and interiors for Indie authors and small presses. His website, crrreative.com, offers an a la carte menu of creative services for writers and publishers. Learn more about Ray’s books at rayrhamey.com.
I like how you are redefining “rejection.” “Decline” is far better – and more accurate – way of viewing it.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Todd Rutherford and Kathleen Bolton, Rebecca Hargreaves. Rebecca Hargreaves said: Redefining what it means to be rejected. Great essay by Ray Rhamey over at WU — On Rejection https://bit.ly/90rwuc […]
My favorite decline was from an agent who read the full of my work. He actually took the time, when I emailed him back, to answer a couple of questions. Based on his feedback (the story dragged), I rewrote the entire thing and have (thus far) netted 2 offers from e-publishers and several requests for the full from agents. So he was definitely my favorite.
“Decline” is a fantastic term to use. The word “rejection” seems so cold and closed off, like it’s a permanent belmish written on my soul, criticizing me for everything I am not. Decline on the other hand, seems to be an easier pill to swallow. I like they way you think!
Great post! I like your use of “decline.” My file folder says “Not right for us.”
Cheers!
Ah, the nuances of the rejection letter. I do think it’s important to distinguish between the different kinds of “declines,” as you have done here. I hope other writers will take heart too!
My personal M.O. is to accept nonchalantly the form rejections, get excited about the “no thanks, but…”s, and get SUPER excited about the referrals and requests. It’s not easy, but it’s so much better than getting depressed or frustrated by the rejections. Because they’re truly *not* personal. And there are many other “fish” (i.e., agents) in the sea.
I love the relabelling! I think we have to be very careful about not assigning qualities to negative feedback that’s bigger than it really is, in order not to be discouraged.
I always use the term ‘decline’, as well. I’m on both sides of the publishing game, too, and we do get plenty of submissions where the premise is great and the writing is good, but it just doesn’t fit us. The truth is – none of our editors would be good for those manuscripts.
We always try to encourage them to find another market if we think it’s publishable – just not a good fit.
[…] 8 or 9 rejections so far. Or as one writer likes to call them, agent ‘declines’. Check THIS out if any of you are writers and hate the word rejection. I haven’t lost faith in my novel at […]
Sometimes semantics matter. Looking at it as agents “declining” your work produces the same result in the end–you still don’t have an agent–but softens the blow. It serves to divorce rejection of the manuscript from rejection of you, helping you remember that it’s not personal.
And if you get a “decline”, but also some feedback or a referral, focus on the positive! Something stood out enough for that agent to take the time to write to you. (Then again, if you get a form letter, don’t take that too personally either. Agents are busy people.)
I can’t get over how much I love this little video. Kudos, Ray.
We’re truly living in the age of non-responsibility when we can’t even admit that our writing isn’t good enough for publication. Sorry, but hundreds of ‘declines’ are sending a message. Rather than split hairs over semantics, I’d work on improving my writing until it couldn’t be denied. Either that, or self-publish.
Well, John, that’s harsh. There are plenty of agents who write on the Internet about declining submissions that they feel are well-written, strong works just because they don’t fit well enough. Over and over I read of agents who passed on submissions that didn’t fit and which went on to be published successfully.
To be declined does NOT, apparently, mean that a manuscript is not good enough for publication. Acquisition editors at publishers have written about doing the same thing–saying no to books that have become bestsellers.
I might add that semantics are important to writers and are worth hair-splitting. After all, it does have to do with the meanings of words, and it’s meanings that give, well, meaning to what a writer does.
And if you’re suggesting that my writing isn’t good enough for publication without having read it, perhaps you don’t know what you’re talking about.
I’ll submit that, for example, Therese Walsh, co-founder of this blog, was declined a number of times, over and over, yet her manuscript is now published.
So how is it, John, that an agent passing on a work means, by your definition, that it isn’t good enough for publication? Publishable writing can be denied, over and over.
Kathleen, thanks for the kudos. Apparently I animate better than I write (and the animation is REALLY crude).
I have another one in the works, this one titled “The Bookstore.” In cave days, reading books could be hazardous to your health.
Ray, I contemplated coming to your aid after reading John’s comment then decided he wasn’t worth acknowledging. Definitely a cyber bully just trying to pick a fight. Next time he might consider reading the bio of the person he’s bashing. Obviously he didn’t read yours.
Those of us who are seriously invested in writing and the publishing industry understood where you were coming from and appreciated your post.
Cheers!
Coming in late here, but I really appreciate this post, Ray. I also firmly believe that perseverance is one of the keys to publication. One of these days I’ll have to count up my rejections; I’m sure the number is in the double digits.
I have several friends who sold after 100+ rejections each. They are fine writers, too. One was subsequently nominated for a prestigious literary award.
My favorite rejection is a constant source of encouragement. “Thank you for your query, and best of luck with your manuscript–it’s accomplished, but I don’t feel I would be the right agent for it. Don’t give up!”
I liked your post. I am even inspired to write one of mine on my personal blog. Thank you!
Semantics matter a great deal, as you noted. I was reminded of a high school teacher who referred to “tests” as “opportunities”, as in “You will have an opportunity on Monday.” We all groaned–his “opportunities” were killers.
But it does change your outlook when you a challenge or a test as an opportunity to prove your worth, to prove that you CAN do something difficult. So viewing a rejection letter as a decline can make you think of it in a different light.
Thanks for writing this!
I like ‘decline’ instead of rejection, but I’ve gone a step further and labelled my folder as ‘Learnings’. Each rejection, even if form, teaches us something about our writing.
Love the post. Love it! Just have to say that I didn’t see the end of the video coming. I fully expected to see the rejections stack up until your little writer could reach the branch and see a whole new landscape. Which is how I think (and your post says) rejections should be viewed. They’re just oen step of the journey.
Thanks so much for this!
Martina