I am going to keep this one short today. I have a lot on my to do list but I wanted to give you something to think about.
So, you got a rejection letter. It sucks. I know it! But it is the nature of the business. Now the question is, what do you do?
We always talk about keeping your motivation going and writing, but I want to throw a bit of a spin on this. Do you contact the same agent or editor again?
The answer is yes (unless they have a restraining order against you). But don't rush it. Take the time to really look over the comments you received on the first rejection letter and see what you can do with it. Do some more research on the editor or agent and make sure this new project is really what they are looking for.
We get a lot of projects every year. Sometimes, the story just doesn't work for us, or it comes in at a time when we aren't looking for that genre. So what! Keep trying. You may find something a second time around.
I do have an author that I signed, not on her first project but a later one. We are now going back and working through that first project to see what we can do with it. We have the time to work on it and things are heading in the right direction.
Scott
Thanks for directing so many posts at emerging writers recently. It's a great way to show you're sensitive to how hard it is to get over the hump into publication and is refreshing to see an agent who appreciates how daunting the process can feel from the outside.
ReplyDeleteLove your spin. I have resubmitted to a few agents but only after 2 years,the title changed, and I honed my craft better. Then I prayed they wouldn't remember the first query.
ReplyDeleteWill do :)
ReplyDelete