Received the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag today for my manuscript FARVE CASTLE LETS IT GO.As most of you know, I've been working exclusively with an agent on revisions for the last few months. Some history:
1. Asked blog readers to take a look at my query and tell me why it sucked.
2. One of said readers agreed and passed it along to an agent friend.
3. Agent friend asked to see the manuscript.
4. Agent liked that it was a baseball book and saw some potential in the story, even though the draft he read pretty well sucked.
5. Agent offered revision notes if I agreed to work exclusively with him. I agreed.
6. Revised and resent.
7. Story still sucked, but in different ways. Agent asked if I'd try again.
8. Tried again.
9. Failed. Got my rejection today.
10. Told The Wife I got rejected. She was very nice about it.
So here's my take on the whole thing:
1. I learned a lot.
2. My story is better.
3. Ultimately, I wrote the book with this crazy notion that it might get published and the agent didn't think he could passionately advocate for it. In short, he feared he might not be able to sell it. And since getting it sold is kind of like the whole point of having an agent, he made the best decision for both of us.
4. I would highly recommend this agent because of the amount of time and energy he spent on a manuscript that probably did not deserve the time and attention.
5. I stand by this post 100 percent.
6. It sucks, but only because rejection sucks in general. There's nothing in particular that sucked about either the experience or the rejection letter, which was very thoughtful and even apologetic, though it did not need to be.
7. Wanna know what I'm most bummed about? Getting back in the query game. Ugh.
9 comments:
Sorry, Murph, really. Every time I get a pass either on a query or a submission I feel like a sharp, but temporary knife is twisting me inside. It seems this experience was quite useful for you, and will prove priceless over time.
Come on over and join me on the query ride. Hope you like roller coasters.;-)
Dude, your book is better from having been through this process.
I know your book can sell. I wouldn't say it, if I didn't mean it, and I don't know anyone who reads more books than me.
You will find an agent.
Oh, man. That does suck. BUT you had a manuscript that interested the first agent who saw it and took time to help you make it better. That says a lot about your story. There are many more agents out there, and one of them will love it, and take you to a baseball game to celebrate your book contract one day! Good luck!
I echo what those other girls said, they are much more eloquent and nice than i am.
Hey, what say we all go to a ball game when you get that dang book out there.
Though it's a letdown, facing adversity (and rejection) makes you stronger. By those standards, I should be able to lift a car over my head. Live on, Farve!
You're being very grown up. This sucks, though.
Been there. Hate it. Those little nicks to the self esteem just bite. Take a couple days off to wallow then get back to it.
I don't think the pain/disappointment is ever temporary. At least, not until you actually get an agent or sell your ms to an editor. Every single R I've gotten has stung, even if it's an awesome R. When I finally got an agent, the previous Rs didn't hurt as bad...but then I started getting Rs from editors. So far, the Rs from the editors still sting...and I have no idea when that will be remedied.
You are being very grown up, as Jacqui said.
I am so sorry. It's hard to grasp that sometimes it's all about process, but it really is. And I have almost 80,000 words in a file I'll never open again to prove it. It represents a year of work, but a lifetime of learning. You'll do it. You're hilarious. You have a great voice. Keep on keepin' on, brother.
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