<p>I’ve published a book with a major publisher, and, obviously, I prefer fulfilling this lifelong dream to never having been published, but I still have to deal with the same emotional pangs of rejection. It gets no easier, and never stops. Before my book was published, I was rejected by scores of agents, and a couple of dozen publishers. Three years later, that book is in the rear view mirror, I’ve had two new proposals go down in flames, and my third proposal currently on submission has already had three rejections–including one from my own publisher. </p>
<p>My book had excellent reviews, and was a finalist for a regional book award. But sales were modest–typical for a debut by a non-celebrity author.</p>
<p>It helps to have a strong ego. It hurts to have a big ego. And nothing beats a strong support system. My wife is my biggest fan, and believes in my stuff even when I don’t.</p>
<p>Even the very successful worry about, What have you done lately?</p>
<p>There’s a saying in the biz to cope with rejection, and that keeps some of us going, “You only have to find the one who says yes.”</p>
<p>But the Chinese have a curse: “May your children be artists.”</p>
<p>And it’s good to hear I’m not alone.
Sewhappy – I know that “walking on air” feeling when someone asks to read your work – so awful when they drag their feet responding, or don’t give any useful feedback.
Garland – two stories published – woo hoo!!!
Latichever – wow – you got your book published – very impressive.</p>
<p>Support system helps. My brothers and sisters are wonderful that way. My husband, not so much. </p>
<p>NYMomof2 – you’re so smart – getting an agent would be a good first step.</p>
<p>All you writers out there – do you have your own website? Do you post essays or excerpts on there? Have you gotten any jobs or contracts from your site? I’m thinking that might be a good next step for me to work on.</p>
<p>Be careful about posting online. Some venues will consider that “already published” and won’t take it because they don’t have first rights.</p>
<p>I think a blog where you showcase your voice, without putting your formal pieces up, is a good idea (and one of these days i’m going to get up my nerve and start one! My H has a teaching-related blog that gets hundreds of hit a day.)</p>
<p>OP,
You need a “day” job. All artists including renown with very recognizable names need “day” job. Phelps needs “day job”. Any position that supports you financially is a “day job”.</p>
<p>"I’ll pass your comments on to Michael Phelps. "- Please, do, But he has a day job.</p>
<p>If you have a “day” job, then what is a complain? the rest is just an entertainement. Were not you immensely satisfied while doing what you love? That is enough for most of us. Everybody has something that we are immensely satisfied in after work hours, no matter if we sell it or not. If we do not sell it, here is our rejection, just like yours. potential price might be much lower, but it does not diminish it. Keep on trying selling it. But at the end, if you enjoyed the process, it should be very very satisfying. I sell my art, but primarily, I want to get rid of it to have space for new pieces. Happy that one of my kids choose to have some. I am gladly giving them away all the time, but I understand that my price is pennies in comparison. However, thinking that somebody admire it in their home, makes me happy.
In your case, it might be worthwhile to find a proffessional who will be more successful at selling your stuff. In my case, I am just having a ball creating them and very thankful if somebody takes them either for free or for tiny amounts, almost does not matter, just unload my space for the new ones.</p>
<p>Well, I’m confused by the Phelps day job discussion, but nvm. And yeah, writing is not just a hobby for some people. It’s not so much about money (though money would be nice) but achieving recognition and a readership. I made nothing from the two stories that were published, except an immense sense of satisfaction that someone liked what I wrote enough to include it in their publications. that’s no small thing.</p>
<p>^As I said, I am very happy when somebody admire my peices in thier home. It is immense sense of satisfaction, even if I just given them away. When I saw them at my friend’s house, they even looked better. I could not believe how nice they looked. I have no attachment to them, they have to go, they do not look nice in my house at all, maybe because I do not want them in my house. But it is just a hobby, there is no question about it. I am just filling after work hours doing what I love. Isn’t writing the same - filling your time doing what you love and if somebody appreciates it, then it is a cherry on top.</p>
<p>sewhappy – you read my mind (writing about something work-related).</p>
<p>garland – not sure what she means either, and I’m going to ignore the presence of the lunatic fringe on this thread. I think it’s huge that someone included your work in their publication.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine why anyone would be satisfied writing and not having the work see the light of day. I am in a different field (science), but there is an analogy. If I do something, I want to publish it so that others respond and are influenced by it. If I keep it to myself, I have no effect on the field. Isn’t writing the same? I am fortunate in that I can earn my living doing what I love, without the need for a “day job.” Isn’t that another goal for an writer or artist, like Classof2015 and others on this thread? Why would anyone be satisfied working at an unsatisfying “day job” and not strive to earn money doing the work that he/she loves?</p>
<p>sax – sorry if I offended you – I guess it’s my frustration at the sheer number of comments by this lady on this and other threads that lack any point to point reasoning. They spoil the momentum and goodwill of threads like this which are the joy of CC – thoughtful intelligent people sharing ideas and opinions. Her posts are random, confusing, and do not add to the conversation in any way. I was really appreciating everyone’s posts here and I value the time people put into them.</p>
<p>Classof2015, you’re obviously a busy guy, but you might really enjoy reading “What Happens Next” by Marc Norman. It’s a history of American screenwriting and screenwriters. Lots of tales of rejection and fascinating insights.</p>
<p>I’m wary about stories that are just too amusing to be true, but I hope this one is. [Casablanca</a> Rejected](<a href=“http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/casablanca_rejected/]Casablanca”>http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/casablanca_rejected/) Basically, a guy retyped the screenplay of Casablanca in 1982, retitled it Everybody Comes to Rick’s (the actual title of the play the film was based on), and sent it 217 agencies to see how many of them would recognize the script or at least recognize its quality. Most returned it unread because that’s what they do with unsolicited material. But fewer rejected it because they recognized it (33) than rejected it because they didn’t think it would make a good film (38). Three agencies actually expressed interest in representing it, and one asked the guy to turn it into a novel. </p>
<p>So much for agents knowing a good film script when they see one. Maybe that was 30 years ago, but you aren’t necessarily dealing with people who make the best artistic decisions today, either - as so many of our films and TV shows demonstrate.</p>
[quote]
maybe write something based in your day job setting. If you have to do it, exploit it.[\quote]</p>
<p>That’s exactly what I wrote my book about. I do have an interesting, unique job, but I’d like to think I have the chops to write about turning screws on an assembly line and make it page turner. </p>
<p>There are many great rejection stories. One of my favorites is Doris Lessing, Nobel Prize winner, who wanted to demonstrate the difficulties facing unknown authors. She wrote and submitted a couple of novels under an assumed name. They were rejected by many publishers before eventually being published by small publishers yielding mediocre sales and little recognition–proving her point.</p>
<p>Regarding prepublication online, I’m sure everyone knows by now that the Fifty Shades phenomenon started as postings on a fanfic website. I still can’t get over that. Not that I’m recommending such a course of action.</p>
<p>I don’t think I have a book in me but I admire people who do and hope they get it done. So many great works were first novels, or only novels.</p>