One of the submissions I'd sent out came back today with a rejection. There was a very sweet note attached. The editor liked the work, she'd like to see my future work, but the romance wasn't quite hot enough.
I already knew that about EVFiL. I knew it was going to be a tough sell because it isn't *quite* traditional romance. I know not all imprints are looking for romance that has closed-bedroom scenes.
On the scale of rejections a rejection with a personal note and a request to see future work is very close to acceptance. This is a million times better than a suggestion that I quite writing and start flipping burgers. It's an improvement over a vague rejection letter that means "Meh, just not enough there. Sorry."
At the end of the day I don't want 10 acceptance letters, I just want one from the right editor. In between, it's nice to know that an editor liked the work even if she isn't offering a contract.
Totally a great rejection:) Keep at it, L!
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Success in failure in a sense.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations someone knows your out there. Now you just need to figure what really motivates them and give them that and more...Research, research, research it is so fun...It helps though....Good luck, maybe it will be like one of those tunes you can not get out of your head and they will change there mind...It happens. At least that is what I hear
ReplyDeleteThat's the great thing about submitting your book: You get feedback. Unless you send it to an agent. Then you might not hear back, lol. Anyway, I would keep at it but while you're doing that, I would look into self-publishing. Wouldn't hurt to consider your options. :)
ReplyDeleteLarissa - I'm putting up short stories as self-published already because the market has all but vanished for 'zines. Getting a short story published once for a handful of dollars isn't worth the aggravation of trying to find a 'zine that is open.
ReplyDeleteI have a variety of options for this, and of the 8 I've queried so far I'm still waiting to hear from 6. I have 3 more after that who won't accept sim-subs so my options haven't vanished. :o)