Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall at sunset

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Rejected Again!

Last week I received a rejection notice from the agent I'd really hoped was going to be my agent.

It was a very nice letter, and she kindly gave me some thoughts on how I could improve that particular manuscript, which is rare. Because usually you get an formula rejection letter. Or even worse, what seems to be happening most of the time now is that you don't hear anything.

But still. OUCH!

It still hurts each time, especially I had met this agent and spent time with her. So double ouch.

So what did I do?

I ran right out to the bookstore and bought books. Five books to be exact. And an American Bungalow magazine ( my fave). And two Rice Krispie treats at the bakery counter in the store.

I came home and started reading. I wanted to get lost in a story and there's nothing like a good book to take your mind off things. And that's what I've done all this past week. I read all those books and went to the library and got some more.

And now, tonight, I'm ready to plow back into the writing. Because I also want to write the kinds of books that take people away to another place. And all I know for sure is that if I give up now, I will never be published.

So if at first, or for the first 50 times, you don't succeed, try, try again.

Monday, August 2, 2010


The advent of the Kindle and the Nook has caused a major sea change in the publishing world.

Last week, one publisher announced that for the first time, the sale of E-books was greater than the sale of hard covers and paperbacks for that month.

Several people have suggested that I put my first manuscript up as an E-book. My friend, Vicki, who is an acquisitions editor at a major Christian publisher, told me that Amazon is looking for authors for E-books.

It's tempting. The actual listing of the book would be easy. I wouldn't have to put out five or ten thousand dollars first, as I would if I wanted a vanity press to run my book off.

But then again, as my friend Vicki points out, my first manuscript is set in the 5th Century. Not exactly the top of the list as far as historicals go. In her words, "it's a hard sell".

I want to hold out for a real live agent. Someone who loves my stories and thinks he or she can sell them. Someone who can advise me and give me feedback. Someone who won't be afraid to tell me when my writing stinks!

I'm going to avoid the temptation and hold out for that agent. Back to work on manuscript #3.