become a published writer

Slowly, but steadily.

Okay, guys. I get it.

This last was a rejection based on an excerpt of my young adult novel (still in the works).

Surely someone out there must get what I’m doing.

(And have I now burned myself with this editor? This marks the third thing of mine she’s passed on.)

Okay. I’m over the “thrill” of getting rejected.

This time the editor said, “I think you have a great voice here…” So that’s good. And she wants to see more stuff. But I dn’t have anything to show her now. I’m only halfway done (maybe) with a draft of my current project.

I have nothing sitting with any editors now.

I mean: Crap! Another rejection!

From the letter:

“There’s some charming use of language, and you do a nice job with the dialogue. The development of the kid’s motives could be a little clearer. I worry, though, that while this might make a charming book, it doesn’t have a clear sales hook, and without that, a book simply cannot compete in today’s fierce picture book market.”

Ugh.

Sales hook?

Ugh.

My children’s novel is off and running. (I’m about 20,000 words into it.) I got the writing group going for me, more discipline than I’ve had in a long time…

So, 2006?

THIS time they didn’t think it was funny enough.

Ugh.

Well, that particular story has now been rejected (only?) three times.

Just found out today:

They’re not interested. Funny story (made her laugh out loud), but they feel it doesn’t have the “depth” it needs.

Huh?

Rats.

Heard from a bigwig at a publisher. She finally read the manuscript I sent 6 months ago. Says she likes it and will show it to some colleagues. I’ve been here before, but still.

So far, I’ve had anonymous rejection letters and long collaborations with editors (at actual, established children’s literature publishers) that ended with friendly rejection letters. Have to keep on working and pushing.