As is evident from the title, this panel was about handling rejections.
Panelists: Cassie Alexander, S.N. Arly, Anne Leckie, Caroline Stevermer
The writers on the panel remind us that a rejection is not a condemnation of a work. For a story to be accepted, there are generally three factors:
The right editor at the right time looking at the right story.
The old chestnut of only worrying about what you could control, writing, and sending out the story, surfaced. Anne mentioned that she has a rule about not allowing a story to spend a night at her house.
Regardless of how prepared you are that rejection is part of the writing process, rejection by its very nature hurts. Many authors give up too soon. Don’t do that. An anecdote was related that one story had to go out 38 times before it hit the right editor at the right time.
In regard to longer manuscripts, it was suggested that yes came right away. If six months have passed in silent, it’s safe to assume no.
Harper “Fuckin” Lee got rejected all the time.
Cassie relates a rejection concerning her just published book. “Vampires are over.” Sometimes your moment of glory will come.
Sometimes you will be accepted at places where you have been previously rejected. Caroline relates that her agent rejected her ten years before she took her on.
One acceptance does not mean that the rejections will not continue.
Initially, writers can sometimes sell a story because they sound like someone else. However, they might have trouble selling in that same market because practice helps us individualize our styles, so you might have to try to sell somewhere else.
A very important piece of advice is keep your eyes on your own page. Don’t compare your career to that of others. There are a variety of variables in a writing career.
Some discussion about whether or not you should rewrite your story. Be clear with yourself about how much you are willing or not to change a particular piece.
Personal rejections: good or bad? A variety of rejections to rejectomancy, and what editors mean versus the politeness factor.
An audience member talked about how some editors and agents seem to be unprofessional in social. The authors on the panel recommended always presenting a professional face on social media. We do get to reject agents and editors too, and we can decide if we like the way they represent themselves. You need someone that you trust professionally.
Sending out a work is a lot like going on a blind date.
When you write a query letter, make sure you put your address on it. Spenser did not get paid for The Faerie Queen initially, because he forgot to send his address to the publisher.
A small digression into agent etiquette: It is courteous to let agents know that you have other professionals looking at the work.
If you should receive an offer of representation, talk to the agent. Talk about your career goals, their goals for your career, what their breadth of experience is, and how they can harness that for you, and what subsidiary rights they represent. Also ask questions of people you know that agent represents and see if they like their working relationship.
Like with editors, know what revisions you are willing to make, and what the deal breakers are for you.
Remember: rejections are part of the process. This doesn’t have to be horrible.
Be fearless. Believe in you. You can be humble, but you’ve got to have that craziness inside of you to continue submitting.
