tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post7373828905673998834..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: Preparing to Submit: Part TwoJill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-9944927896726307602009-11-20T20:18:16.598-05:002009-11-20T20:18:16.598-05:00Again, great information! Thanks!Again, great information! Thanks!Angie Muresanhttp://www.angiemuresan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-42393382945104590732009-11-19T20:06:43.057-05:002009-11-19T20:06:43.057-05:00Brittany: The amazing thing about submitting is--t...Brittany: The amazing thing about submitting is--there's always a chance. It's the best feeling in the world! But, on the flip side, it's important to know that if you get a rejection, you have plenty of friends in the same boat. I find that comforting.<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-89851514204422629202009-11-19T15:48:08.646-05:002009-11-19T15:48:08.646-05:00Wow...I feel like I've learned something about...Wow...I feel like I've learned something about the reality of the industry. I'm not pursuing publication at the moment, but I already have these posts saved so that when I am ready...I can read them again.Brittany Andresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10326583254996862153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-52273029311990136332009-11-19T12:11:13.225-05:002009-11-19T12:11:13.225-05:00Heather: I think we all struggle with that very qu...Heather: I think we all struggle with that very question. It's one of the reasons a tight query is so important.<br /><br />Kristen T.: Yep, it does!<br /><br />Cindy: Impatient. I know that feeling! <br /><br />Lisa and Laura: Rejections definitely spurred me to be a better writer too!<br /><br />Katie: I look forward to reading it!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-77910842017820926562009-11-18T21:20:56.807-05:002009-11-18T21:20:56.807-05:00What a great post! I just wrote a very similar one...What a great post! I just wrote a very similar one that I'm super excited to post after Thanksgiving weekend. Sounds like we have some similarities in our journey!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing, Jill!Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-32198459167651026992009-11-18T18:54:25.409-05:002009-11-18T18:54:25.409-05:00I can honestly say that we wouldn't know how t...I can honestly say that we wouldn't know how to write if it weren't for rejections. Lots of them. They can be a great tool for an aspiring writer.lisa and laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144863275895761642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-42705848576523434402009-11-18T17:41:00.012-05:002009-11-18T17:41:00.012-05:00Rejection hurts no matter how prepared you are for...Rejection hurts no matter how prepared you are for it. I think it helps in some ways to be prepared for rejection but I think time and energy is best put into making your manuscript and your query as polished as possible.<br /><br />My biggest problem is patience. I get excited, I want to share my work with the world. But I have learned that it will make more of an impact if it's polished, presentable and filled with every ounce of passion I have.Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-12689053464098568202009-11-18T17:13:42.215-05:002009-11-18T17:13:42.215-05:00Rejection does hurt--a lot! I try to use it to mak...Rejection does hurt--a lot! I try to use it to make me better. <br /><br />I definitely queried too early. And I think I learned how to write a query by actually submitting it. Hardfought lessons, but hopefully they will pay off one day.Kristen Torres-Torohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903038121623389560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-75004998358796307492009-11-18T15:44:23.487-05:002009-11-18T15:44:23.487-05:00I barely remember my first set of rejections. I re...I barely remember my first set of rejections. I realize now that the book I submitted probably deserved every rejection. The biggest problem I had then was "How do the agents know it's a bad book or that I can't write if they've only read one page of my writing?" I've studied enough queries and read enough agent blogs now to know they know when it's right for them, and it doesn't take much to know if the story and the writing is good enough.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-20582801215878239172009-11-18T15:25:56.958-05:002009-11-18T15:25:56.958-05:00Susan: Well said! I'm glad you've had such...Susan: Well said! I'm glad you've had such a positive outlook on the process!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-65836925347607006332009-11-18T13:04:03.860-05:002009-11-18T13:04:03.860-05:00Rejection stings, but I loved every single one I g...Rejection stings, but I loved every single one I got. I would not be where I am now without them. Some were form, but I had a couple with great feedback which has helped my writing a great deal. And, yes, I think anyone who submits needs to be prepared for rejection.Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-34018985172098638372009-11-18T12:48:00.010-05:002009-11-18T12:48:00.010-05:00Jessica: Personalized rejections are the best. Eve...Jessica: Personalized rejections are the best. Even when they're curt, they at least tell us something. <br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-64166622535164646782009-11-18T12:39:30.560-05:002009-11-18T12:39:30.560-05:00Rejections definitely hurt, but so far the ones I&...Rejections definitely hurt, but so far the ones I've had from editors were personalized, which only motivated me to keep writing. When I submit and get rejected, I feel like I'm heading toward my goal, so it doesn't completely depress me. I guess I feel like I'm gaining ground. I also send the editors/agents thank you cards if the rejection was personal.<br />I liked what you said about humbleness. I'm hoping that fruit will be nice and fat in me. :-)<br />Great post, Jill!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-31503643349377227942009-11-18T11:37:35.908-05:002009-11-18T11:37:35.908-05:00Beth: The first time I started reading author jour...Beth: The first time I started reading author journies, I cried. It seemed depressing that so many of my favorite authors took years to get published. Not everyone waits that long! For me, I've needed the time and my writing has needed the time, but I've only been submitting for two years.<br /><br />Patrice: Yes! I try to always have something out there, too. Right now I don't. It just worked out that I have nothing ready to submit! I think going the freelance editor route was a terrific decision on your part.<br /><br />Erica: Love the Ditka quote! Too true!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-26187611984359649632009-11-18T10:57:38.503-05:002009-11-18T10:57:38.503-05:00Such truth! Rejection DOES hurt. But one of my fav...Such truth! Rejection DOES hurt. But one of my favorite quotes is from Mike Ditka:<br /><br />Success isn't permanent and failure isn't fatal. <br /><br />So we get up and try again.Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772984806574666959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-18250590354199004802009-11-18T10:57:23.941-05:002009-11-18T10:57:23.941-05:00Jill, Over the years (and I do mean, years!), I...Jill, Over the years (and I do mean, years!), I've handled rejection differently. At first, I made sure I always had at least one query "out there." So, if I received a rejection, I knew another "yes" (or even "maybe") was a possibility. Now, after 48 rejections (some form letter style, some personalized, some with suggestions, some without!), I've put querying on "pause" and am editing my book with the help of a freelance book editor. Once I've gone through that process, I'm going to start up the querying again. PatricePatrice Kavanaughnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-36259089274683347392009-11-18T10:55:28.772-05:002009-11-18T10:55:28.772-05:00Yet another lovely post to add to my pile. I'm...Yet another lovely post to add to my pile. I'm going to get there someday! I'm still finishing my first draft, but this is great perspective for my future (as painful as it is to hear that it might be YEARS! Ugh!). Thanks for being so clear about it all - I'm honing away ;PBeth Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279427592537427039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-50268652244088545152009-11-18T10:47:32.642-05:002009-11-18T10:47:32.642-05:00Georgiana: I care so much about my writing, I thin...Georgiana: I care so much about my writing, I think that's why it hurts more, don't you? When we're emotionally invested, how can it not? <br /><br />My skin is pretty thick!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-34017159161411223782009-11-18T10:09:43.056-05:002009-11-18T10:09:43.056-05:00Ohhh...you are SO right. Rejection does hurt. Befo...Ohhh...you are SO right. Rejection does hurt. Before I started submitting I thought I was immune to the sting, after all, my last job was going door-to-door and making sales calls. After being hung up on, doors slammed in my face, and worse, I thought writing rejections would be a breeze. <br /><br />Not so!<br /><br />Oh well, my skin grows thicker by the day.Georgiana Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08148430180111786272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-21385724607699038282009-11-18T09:56:02.621-05:002009-11-18T09:56:02.621-05:00Good morning!
T.Anne: Necessary evil--oh yes!
Ei...Good morning!<br /><br />T.Anne: Necessary evil--oh yes!<br /><br />Eileen: Good for you! I wish I wasn't taking a hiatus from submitting, but I don't have anything ready right now. :)<br /><br />Angie: I agree. I submit every one of my projects. Some rejections have thrilled me; others have made me cry. I never let rejections stop me.<br /><br />Joanne: Great advice! I'm currently implementing some terrific advice from a rejection letter. Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />CKHB: Yes! Except, sometimes when I get rejections it feels more like "You're Fired!" than "Sorry, you're not right for us." Silly, huh?<br /><br />Wendy: I agree. A tough skin is necessary. I do think it's normal to feel disappointed and sad when our dreams are delayed, though. I'll check out Nathan's post. Thanks for the tip!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-48589176629348137182009-11-18T09:41:27.296-05:002009-11-18T09:41:27.296-05:00I think it is imperative to toughen up in this ind...I think it is imperative to toughen up in this industry. Jill, I love your willingness to learn and power through. <br /><br />Nathan Bransford had a great post about waiting yesterday. That man makes me laugh. It was an authentic piece. I think you'd enjoy it.<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-44975499691365156822009-11-18T09:25:21.655-05:002009-11-18T09:25:21.655-05:00I believe that authors should think of querying li...I believe that authors should think of querying like applying for a job: sometimes they'll say no. Sometimes they won't even get back to you to let you know. Sometimes they'll show some interest, but it won't go anywhere. There are other jobs. And there is additional training you can do to improve your chance of getting hired.CKHBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741681893677604323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-78240838476955846912009-11-18T09:24:09.124-05:002009-11-18T09:24:09.124-05:00It's possible to learn and improve from those ...It's possible to learn and improve from those rejections too. Sometimes there might be an insight into the manuscript, a critical line or some reasoning to the rejection, that can be considered and used in a revision. I'd also suggest that if it is an encouraging rejection, don't hesitate to revise and inquire about resubmitting.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-1124684207725395802009-11-18T09:16:37.910-05:002009-11-18T09:16:37.910-05:00Rejection hurts only if you allow it.
I'd mu...Rejection hurts only if you allow it. <br /><br />I'd much rather hear a No Thanks than have woulda-shoulda-coulda regrets later on. Yes, age has its advantages. :)Angie Ledbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16407006980893727627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-42151140915888931962009-11-18T09:03:58.260-05:002009-11-18T09:03:58.260-05:00I haven't quit writing yet. I'm taking a h...I haven't quit writing yet. I'm taking a hiatus from submissions, but venture onward in honing the craft.Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.com