| "I'm not in a good mood today," I told my | | | | Rejection," which is on the Writers Research |
| husband. "After all the hours and hours I spent on | | | | Groups website, contains more tips. Rejection is |
| this book I don't know what I will do if it is | | | | the hardest part of writing, according to Wiley, |
| rejected." | | | | but it does not mean your career has ended. If |
| "You're experiencing anticipatory grief," he relied. | | | | you receive a printed letter with handwritten |
| Thank goodness I married a brilliant man! Though I | | | | comments, she thinks you have received a "good |
| have written dozens of articles about anticipatory | | | | rejection." The editor has read your manuscript |
| grief and co-authored a book about it, I did not | | | | and taken the time to give you tips on improving |
| connect the feeling to writing. Maybe you have | | | | it. |
| just submitted a manuscript to a publisher. How | | | | Vickie Britton shares her "Tips for Writers on |
| can you prepare for rejection? | | | | Coping with Rejection Slips from Publishers," on |
| The Writers Conference Guidelines website has | | | | the Writing Novels blog. Many famous authors, |
| posted an article about reasons behind rejection, | | | | including J. K. Rowling, have been rejected over |
| "Dealing with Rejection and Moving On." The first | | | | and over again. So you have to hang in there. "If |
| reason -- your manuscript is not a good fit for | | | | the editor recommends a rewrite," Britton says, |
| the publisher. Before you submit a manuscript you | | | | "this is a calling card to try again." |
| should learn more about the company and its | | | | Ellen Jackson, an award-winning children's author, |
| speciality, if one exists. | | | | tells how to survive rejection in "Dealing with |
| Your timing may be off. The publisher may have | | | | Rejection," posted on her personal website. "You |
| already published a similar book and yours would | | | | have to find a way to believe in yourself," she |
| be a duplicate. Then too, your topic may be too | | | | advises, "even if others don't." During my 30+ |
| narrow or too broad. There may be spelling, | | | | years in the writing business I have been rejected |
| grammar, and punctuation errors in your | | | | many times and learned to prepare for them. |
| manuscript. All are red flags for an acquisitions | | | | What do I do? First, I let myself grieve, but only |
| editor. | | | | for a short time. I put the manuscript away for |
| "The takeaway value may be weak," the article | | | | several months and revisit it later. Research is the |
| points out. In other words, a potential customer | | | | backbone of a non-fiction writer's life and, in order |
| may not be willing to spend money on your book. | | | | not to waste this research, I use it in articles. Of |
| "Do not use a rejection letter as a reason to | | | | course, I am always brainstorming on my next |
| whine, complain, or not to write," the article | | | | book. I just started a new self-help book and am |
| advises. Instead, use it as motivation to improve | | | | excited about it. Rejections are less painful when |
| your work. | | | | you are prepared for them. |
| Freelancer Moira K. Wiley's article, "Dealing with | | | | |