When authors try to buck up recently rejected authors, they often drag out the chestnut about Stephen King and his (approximately) zillion rejections before he sold Carrie. We think the knowledge that a multi-millionaire suffered as we do is supposed to help. Then comes the discussion of “good” rejections versus “bad” rejections. How we can use them to grow. That sort of thing. There is even a theory (which we’ve subscribed to in the past as a form of self defense) that rejections from agents don’t count. Yes, in retrospect, it doesn’t make sense, but when you’re nursing a recent wound, you’ll try anything. We can’t take the sting from rejections, nor can we promise they will get easier, but we can offer several views of the rejection game. At least you’ll know you’re not alone.
- They told her she had no talent. Now her first book is a major motion picture
- Deborah Schwartz’s Rejection File (link via Maud Newton)
- The Return of the Recycled-Paper Bot (various authors share their favorite rejections)
- Dealing With Rejection
- A Rejection Letter
