Comments on: I’M SAD | My Manuscript Didn’t Find a Home

By: lalber

lalber — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:38:08 +0000

Thank you, Bloglily. It’s so true that what matters and counts in my life is the writing itself. It grounds me, comforts me. Always comes back to that.

By: bloglily

bloglily — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:04:58 +0000

Dear Lisa, You know, this is just such tough news to get and my heart goes out to you. First novels are just a really hard sell. This isn’t the end, obviously, of things for you, but very much a stop along the way. It’s one of the harder ones, is all. And although you might think now that the second book isn’t going to meet any kinder fate than the first has so far, I can tell that isn’t going to stop you from writing it because it sounds like it’s exactly the book you want to write. And so you should write it. That’s the thing you have control over, and it seems very smart that that’s what you’re focusing on. Much love, Lily

By: lalber

lalber — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:02:55 +0000

Thanks, Meander. Letting go of expectations is the bigger lesson I need to learn, I think…

By: Meander

Meander — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:47:29 +0000

Oh I am so sorry. That really sucks. I have just begun with writing but I think the only thing that works is just keep sending things out there and once it leaves your hands…let it go….and go to the next revision…the next project…just keep going. Release your hold on expectations and fall in love with the process of writing.

By: lalber

lalber — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:06:06 +0000

oh, yes, start an independent small press and I’ll be your first author! I’ve been thinking about small presses this week…

Hi Liz, thank you so much. And you’re so right: I chose this life, and sometimes I think I’m crazy, but as I tell friends: I can’t help myself. However, not caring as much about getting published would be helpful, wouldn’t it?

By: Liz Cratty

Liz Cratty — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:05:58 +0000

Oh, Lisa.

I’m so sorry about your heartbreak.

But this is the life you’ve chosen, and if it isn’t a manuscript being dissed, it’s a slasher of a review that puts an author in tears. Or a booksigning where nobody shows up. Or dismal sales.

On the other hand, it’s also that tuning fork in your heart when you’ve perfectly captured an emotional moment on the page. It’s writing “the end” and meaning it, stamping the package and sending it off then celebrating. It’s finally getting that publishing contract. It’s getting the first real book in the mail from your editor. It’s calling yourself an author for the first time, instead of a writer.

It’s worth working toward, despite the obstacles and heartbreaks.

Because, I guess, we can’t do much else.

Many, many times, the first book written is not the first book published, so keep at it.

It’s the journey, after all, not the destination.

Love,
Liz.

By: oh

oh — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:24:51 +0000

aaaarrrrggggh! sorry the agent hasn’t peddled this one for you.

Sometimes, I think about starting a small publishing house. One with excellent instincts (me) that works directly with writers (like you) and gets the work finished and out there. This would also “free” up the writer to go on and write the next one.

I’ll ponder that. OK, more coffee for everyone.

By: lalber

lalber — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:52:02 +0000

You did make me laugh, cedar, and thank you for that! I’ve raised a couple of pints to myself (with friends) this afternoon, so I’m doing okay about now…:-)

Grizzy-girl, you rock, and I’ll throw my chin right on out there!

By: grizelda3

grizelda3 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:45:39 +0000

Lis,

I’m sorry about the disappointing news. I can relate to a smaller degree–as I haven’t invested the time, effort, and creative blood into 4 novels like you have.
Chin up girl. I know you’re a first class writer. Eventually everyone will.

-griz

By: cedarstreetwriter

cedarstreetwriter — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:51:09 +0000

Only 37 rejections, at one time I kept mine in a small brief case which slowly became the carrying case for my laptop. I now use a “banker’s box” and I hope in visioning my rejection box you find a reason to smile.

Many of us published or non-published work daily to take the right path through the maze of “what do editors want”.

Just remember that Margaret Mitchell begin her book a decade before it found a home. I have no doubt the editor who first rejected her wished many times that he had a second chance to publish “Gone with the Wind”. The book was published in June of 1936 and by October of 1936 had sold one million copies. It does happen.

Keep writing, keep submitting and I raise my glass of wine to your continued productivity and determination as you are a great writer.

Annie O.