To Reject or Not to Reject, That is the Question

In July I wrote a post making a big (for me) announcement that I was sending my manuscript out into the world. I know authors do this every day but it felt scary to tell the world. There was bound to be rejection at the end of that, and then everyone would know. And make their judgement.

I could just not post anything more about this process but I guess since I started it I feel a little obliged to continue, so this is an update.

The first person I sent my manuscript to was my agent who I call my agent tho he's not really my agent but who is the CEO of the agency that represented me for my first book What More Could You Wish For. Did you follow all that?

Anyway, this CEO and literary agent read my manuscript and sent me a very thoughtful email beginning with, "There is a lot to recommend it but it's such a tricky subject that a writer has very little room to maneuver if it doesn't exactly nail it. And my problem is I think this is a great effort, and the writing is good, but it's overplotted and its tone is somehow "off" to be honest."

Is it my ego that made that sound positive to me? I understood, tho, that he doesn't think he can sell it. He kindly spent a lot of time writing several paragraphs with suggestions on how to improve it. Which I so appreciate. The thing is I've worked on this book for so long that I don't think I have the energy for a(nother) rewrite. And (here's my ego again), it's only one opinion. One I trust, but still...

As I continue to send it out and search for representation a dear friend who is a prolific and successful author with more than twenty NY Times best sellers, was generous enough to give me an introduction to his agent. How great is that? He spoke to this agent on my behalf and I’m sure he said glowing things about me, not because I’m so wonderful but because that’s the kind of man my friend is.

I had a very pleasant phone conversation with said agent. We have a mutual admiration and respect for the author so it was nice to have that in common. The agent said my concept is interesting but that he doesn’t represent fiction. Still, he asked me to send him the manuscript and said he would pass it along to his colleagues who handle fiction. 

Such a nice thing.

I sent the manuscript. Here is his reply: "I forwarded The Laundry Room to a couple of agents who handle fiction for [this literary agency]. One of my colleagues will contact you only if they are interested in your work.”

Only if they are interested. Well.

That means I will not even get a rejection. Not even a form letter. Is that a good thing or bad? Rejection letters of any kind can certainly be disheartening, but at least you know where you stand, right? 

Is this is a new trend in an already challenging industry? I know it’s not something they are all practicing yet because I’ve received other rejection letters. Some form letters, a few personal notes (which is a big bonus). For the record, the personal comments I've received have told me basically the same thing that my-agent-who-is-not-really-my-agent told me, that "it's such a tricky subject." Which is curious to me. Doesn't it seem that would make it more attractive? Apparently, tho, in today's world people don't want to make waves or risk alienating a segment of the reading population.

I will continue on this journey and if this doesn't work out I have a Plan B.  I'll reveal that another time.

All that said I would like to ask agents/small presses to please reject me. At least send a form letter. Let me know you read some part of what I sent you. Let me know I exist in your world.

I Have News

I have news. I’ve told a few people this news already but only a few - I’ve been revealing it kind of the way I venture into swimming; walking gingerly into the water, up to my knees maybe, standing there like an old lady for a bit then dipping my butt in, then screaming like a toddler and running out. Because it’s scary; the water’s cold, it’s a shock to my body, I might step in a hole or get stung by a jellyfish or run over by a boat or get my hair wet. 

Do you hate this metaphor?

Now though, with my news, I'm through wading, I'm plunging in. 

Here goes: A couple months ago I sent the manuscript of my new book, The Laundry Room, to my agent and I’m waiting for his response. 

Hmmm…I thought that would generate more angst than it does.

You know this writing business: it’s full of rejection. What if no one likes it? What if they hate the characters? What if they think my writing is pedestrian? What if they think no publisher will want it?

The few people who already know this news have occasionally asked me what’s happening and I’m happy that so far I can report that my agent hasn’t had time to read it yet. So far, then, I haven’t had to admit failure. 

Oh, let's not use that f-word. Let's call it un-success.

But now I’m telling the social media universe because I feel like I’ve lived too long to be ashamed of rejection, if that’s what happens. And maybe it won't. Or maybe it will for a while and then it won't.

Overall, I’m pleased that I finally finished the damn thing; I think it’s well-written and it’s a good story with tension and authentic, relatable characters who grow and change. 

Of course I think that, I wrote it.

Now the manuscript is out there in the world for others to judge. 

I can take it…I’m a big girl now. 

Read the first chapter of The Laundry Room here

Comments welcome.