Be Determined And Proud – Just Keep Querying!
They say you should aim to be rejected 100 times per year. This refers to submitting to literary journals, but there is something to be said about this theory.
If you are submitting, your chance of acceptance goes up. So if the more you submit, the more chance you have of being published, why are you worried about all your rejections rather than focusing on sending out your next query?
I believe everyone has to do what works for them, and I can only share my own experiences and suggest what worked for me. The rest is up to you. But if you’re feeling like all those no’s are a sign you should stop querying, think again. Some pretty famous authors got rejected more than you would think, but that didn’t stop them.
So you’ve written a novel-length manuscript, it’s taken years to draft, redraft, pull apart, rewrite in a different tense and have critique partners look it over. You’ve fixed all the boring parts, tightened your premise, decided on a title and found a beta reader who believes in this manuscript. Now you’re happy with the structure, you’ve edited it down to the line level and you’re ready to query.
You are also query package ready (and that took lots more time and effort), phew!
“I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.” – Harper Lee
Those are some wise words.
Next, you need to research who is open to subs in your genre, decide who you think is a good fit and—send your first query out in a batch. I think sending queries out in a batch of 5 is a good idea. It’s enough to give you an indication of where you’re at but not too much that you could blow your chances with everyone in one hit.
The idea behind this is that each rejection provides you with clues. Yes, even form rejections tell you something about where you’re at.
Each time you get a rejection, reread your manuscript and make some changes based on what you have learned.
Writing not strong enough – hire an editor
Didn’t connect with pages – look at your main character
Intriguing premise and assured writing – maybe it’s just not the right time
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how many rejections or rounds of edits – what matters is that you get your yes.
Never give up and your dreams just might come true!
Check out these 5 famous author rejection numbers, that make me feel better about my 28 rejections:
144 Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen - Chicken Soup For The Soul
100 Lisa Genova - Still Alice
60 Kathryn Stockett - The Help
41 T.J. Newsman - Falling
30 Stephen King – Carrie
“I love my rejections slips. They show me I try.” – Sylvia Plath
I have to agree, what I’m most proud of is my determination.
Just keep trying!
Kelly
