Comments on: Rejection

By: Incoming Proposals | The Steve Laube Agency

Incoming Proposals | The Steve Laube Agency — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:08:06 +0000

[...] those who wonder why agents take so long to make representation decisions. I’ve written about rejection before and no agent takes the process lightly. But a little understanding and self education would make [...]

By: Olga Hermans

Olga Hermans — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:07:27 +0000

Rejection is a spirit and we have to fight it no matter what!

By: Charlotte Babb

Charlotte Babb — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:24:39 +0000

Having received this week both a rejection of a short story, and a note from my agent that an editor is taking a nibble on my first novel, I really needed some perspective on this issue. book two is coming along and the pieces are beginning to fall into place. Thank you so much for sharing.

By: Maryann Miller

Maryann Miller — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:34:27 +0000

What a wonderful and insightful post. I hope lots of writers read this and take the words to heart. It is hard to get the ego out of the way, but when we do, we can operate much more successfully in the business side of writing and publishing.

By: Jodi Whisenhunt

Jodi Whisenhunt — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:15:51 +0000

Dear Steve,

I’m sad to say you sent me a rejection letter a few months ago. However, that letter is pinned to the wall above my desk. Why? Because you took the time to compliment my work and explain why it’s not a proper fit for you right now. Thank you so much for the personal note! You gave me better understanding of the material I need to produce. Perhaps I’ll have something else to offer you eventually.

By: terri tiffany

terri tiffany — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:09:51 +0000

Great post! I needed to read this one today as I am starting the query process and trying not to get myself all stressed with the rejections sure to come. I love that you mentioned some great writers who were rejected and didn’t give up. I will remember these examples when I am boo-hooing over any of my own:)

By: Ava Pennington

Ava Pennington — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:50:45 +0000

For “Jungle Mom” -

Rachelle Gardner (WordServe Literary Agency) had a guest blogger, Margot Starbuck, this past Thursday, Aug. 27, who wrote on the “Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a Memoir.” Here’s the link:
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
Hope you find it helpful!

By: Jungle Mom

Jungle Mom — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:57:57 +0000

I am wondering if you, or one of your readers, might be able to direct me to a book geared towards teaching to write autobiographically. I am attempting to write my memoirs of our years as missionaries in the Venezuelan jungle. I have a story but lack the knowledge of how to put it all together.

By: Mike Springer

Mike Springer — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:54:42 +0000

I guess what confused me was Karen’s comment, “And proceeded to bug him about it for the next ten years, telling him the same thing: ‘When you’re ready to send it to me, I’m ready to take it to committee,’” which sure sounds like she was ready to take it to committee anytime John wanted, not that she liked it but everyone mutually agreed the time wasn’t right for it. Thanks for the clarification.

By: Steve Laube

Steve Laube — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:59:44 +0000

Mike, I think my writing of the story may have confused you. And the follow up comments may have added to the confusion. Ten years ago John’s idea would not have sold to the houses that Karen or I worked for at the time. But she never forgot the story. Years later the market changed. Meanwhile John was involved in writing three four other novels, OXYGEN, FIFTH MAN, ADRENALINE, and FOSSIL HUNTER.

You make it sound like John pitched something he didn’t want to sell. Not the case. As I said, read the acknowledgment to his book SHADE for a better version of the story.

See? I was just rejected for writing an incomplete story. I left questions unanswered.

By: Mike Springer

Mike Springer — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:53:01 +0000

Why would John have pitched (or even shown) a proposal/idea if he had no intention of selling it? It sounds like Karen, an acquisitions editor, said yes, and he said, “Uh…never mind.” What’s up with that?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:26:52 +0000

Great post! I met you at the FL Christian Writer’s Conference one year and you were so very nice! I also remember a lot of jokes about your rejection rate. But you did mention Dekker then and you were extremely helpful and kind. Thanks for this post. It’s a great reminder about the subjectivity of everything.

By: Heidi Willis

Heidi Willis — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:31:10 +0000

This is a wonderful post.

The process can be brutal but rewarding. And it helps knowing that God’s timing is always perfect, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time.

By: Lenore Buth

Lenore Buth — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:39:24 +0000

Thanks, Steve. You captured all the facets. The hope, the letdown, the try-again…and again…and… It’s hard for any writer not yet published to imagine insecurity persists after one finally holds one’s book in-hand, but it’s true. That’s when the bookstore check kicks in. Today I needed that reminder about books being not right at one time and perfect at another, so thanks. I’m working on one like that and needed the encouragement that the right time might be now.

By: Lori Benton

Lori Benton — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:58:40 +0000

Dear Steve,

This post reminds me of how I felt after my meeting with you at a conference earlier this year. Yes, you declined my novel, but you gave me the exact feedback I needed to dig deeper, work harder, and make another significant cut to the overlong word count, when I thought I’d done all I could.

Thank you for taking that time with me. It made a difference.