tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post4473670623822361263..comments2023-06-03T07:32:54.087-06:00Comments on Falling In Love With Romance: Agents, Contests, and RejectionSuzie Quinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111067679903509683noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-61052723812284676352011-07-17T03:27:08.266-06:002011-07-17T03:27:08.266-06:00Very insightful post, Suzie. I've never tried...Very insightful post, Suzie. I've never tried to find an agent, but have submitted direct to publishers who accept unagented submissions. I've had rejections (who hasn't?) but most of these have included the reason(s) why they are rejecting my story. In most cases, I agreed with the points they made. <br />You are right, though - they are rejecting the story, and not the person who wrote it.Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-73368196970283758642011-07-16T09:40:36.806-06:002011-07-16T09:40:36.806-06:00I'm so glad this topic connected with so many ...I'm so glad this topic connected with so many and that I'm not alone in feeling this way. Without knowing why they rejected the story, it's so hard to keep from taking it personally, but it's so important. I hope you all find agents or publishers who treat you with the respect you're due.<br /><br />And thanks everyone for cheering me on.Suzie Quinthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03111067679903509683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-18020063617317672482011-07-15T21:02:43.561-06:002011-07-15T21:02:43.561-06:00Great post. It always helps to know that it's ...Great post. It always helps to know that it's just not what they're looking for right now (for whatever reason) instead of the dramatic scenarios that play through your mind that ultimately end in someone falling on a spike in a blaze of bloody glory.<br /><br />Grats on the novel news! That's fantastic!Elizabeth Roguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17062113730144477776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-70355704007218661582011-07-15T14:52:04.707-06:002011-07-15T14:52:04.707-06:00I'm so glad to read the line, "They rejec...I'm so glad to read the line, "They rejected my story." It's so important to make that distinction! <br />I used to be in theater years ago and each time I didn't get the part, I'd be crushed. Even though my acting coach would remind me, it's not you, it still stung.Insidejourneyshttp://insidejourneys.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-28065197194064370872011-07-15T10:25:22.046-06:002011-07-15T10:25:22.046-06:00Congratulations, Suzie! I'm beginning to despi...Congratulations, Suzie! I'm beginning to despise the traditional road to publication. Your cheerleaders comparison was spot on!Lindsey R. Louckshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16905479544791130030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-4992536266968493282011-07-15T06:34:54.601-06:002011-07-15T06:34:54.601-06:00I love the idea of agents having different version...I love the idea of agents having different versions of a rejection letter, seems a simple solution that would make everyone happy. They can still copy, paste, send. And we still feel like we're getting SOME type of directional response.<br /><br />Congrats on your ebook! I know it's exciting, as that is the route I will be taking with my novel as well. I still plan to query agents down the road, but if I can bring a story that readers enjoy without one, well so be it! Congrats to you!Darian Wilkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16607167446349058134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-18708875811879476852011-07-15T05:08:55.749-06:002011-07-15T05:08:55.749-06:00Good for you and congrats! I have also given up on...Good for you and congrats! I have also given up on agents for now, for my mental stability or what's left of it. And I also agree that letters that spell out the problem are the only ones useful, even if they are rejection letters.Chrystalla Thomahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17334487899923017045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-83239610031636374562011-07-15T01:20:12.171-06:002011-07-15T01:20:12.171-06:00I know that I'm qualified to comment on this p...I know that I'm qualified to comment on this post since I don't write romance and have not even looked for an agent yet. But your description is so well written and I appreciate the insight to what goes on in this industry. Frankly, it sounds like a horrible game since the "contestants" are hard-working creative writers who have created manuscripts they are proud of and simply want to get them read. Love the cheerleader metaphor!<br /><br />There must be a better way to find readers who will enjoy your work without bruising your mental health. Sounds like you may have found that better way. Congratulations on the publication of your ebook!Carol Applehttp://www.carolsnotes.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-29972344960661868862011-07-14T22:04:49.724-06:002011-07-14T22:04:49.724-06:00I've watched it too, Rebecca. It's a fasci...I've watched it too, Rebecca. It's a fascinating sociology experiment, but I wouldn't want to participate. Too often, I think, it becomes about winning the competition instead of about connecting, especially the Bachelorette. Of course, it's all a sham anyway.Suzie Quinthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03111067679903509683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481366597096394318.post-72908580364960199922011-07-14T13:48:16.704-06:002011-07-14T13:48:16.704-06:00Hi, Suzie.
Having never personally done the novel...Hi, Suzie.<br /><br />Having never personally done the novel contests or agent pitch contests, I don't feel well qualified to comment on them. However, as a submitting writer, I STRONGLY agree with a few different form letters that could be selected between for the common issues that editors/agents decide are rejection-worthy.<br /><br />That little bit of an insight helps me to think about it and either decide I like it as-is or if it needs more work.<br /><br />Mental health is good. Sanity is better. Sadly, I feel like I'm doomed to keep begging for that final rose without much chance of a "Why I'm Just Not That Into You(r story)." (Yes, I have sadly watched The Bachelor.)Rebecca Birchhttp://rabirch.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com