Rejection Slips
This is in response to Tony, Jill and myself having recently
received more refusals.
When I am sad I take out Snoopy's Guide to the Writing Life and read a few cartoons. Particularly the ones where he receives rejection letters.
Usually they make me smile and keep life in perspective, sometimes they make me more sad.
You will have to picture Snoopy sitting atop his kennel and Peanuts bringing him the letter;
Dear Author, Congratulations!! we have decided to publish your novel.
First printing will be one copy.
If we sell it we will print another.
Next letter.
It's from your publisher.....they printed one copy of your novel.
(They sit down side by side on the grass)
It says they haven't been able to sell it.
They say they are sorry....
Your book is out of print now.
Oh I feel your pain Snoopy.
And from Shelly Lowenkopf, 'Rejection slips are living proof that I send my work forth, that I am being read, that I am casting my lot. They help me define my writing to myself.'
But she still gets them and the sight of them stings and they still rankle.
She has published over 12 books and non fiction.
Louis L'Amour received 350 rejection slips before he made his first sale. Then had two hundred million in print.
Amazing!!! How did he persevere sending out that many or did someone do it for him?
Dr. Seuss, was rejected by 27 publishers and it went on to sell 6 million. Well, that's hardly likely to happen in England but you never know......perhaps we need to do a deal with Royal Mail.......:)
When I am sad I take out Snoopy's Guide to the Writing Life and read a few cartoons. Particularly the ones where he receives rejection letters.
Usually they make me smile and keep life in perspective, sometimes they make me more sad.
You will have to picture Snoopy sitting atop his kennel and Peanuts bringing him the letter;
Dear Author, Congratulations!! we have decided to publish your novel.
First printing will be one copy.
If we sell it we will print another.
Next letter.
It's from your publisher.....they printed one copy of your novel.
(They sit down side by side on the grass)
It says they haven't been able to sell it.
They say they are sorry....
Your book is out of print now.
Oh I feel your pain Snoopy.
And from Shelly Lowenkopf, 'Rejection slips are living proof that I send my work forth, that I am being read, that I am casting my lot. They help me define my writing to myself.'
But she still gets them and the sight of them stings and they still rankle.
She has published over 12 books and non fiction.
Louis L'Amour received 350 rejection slips before he made his first sale. Then had two hundred million in print.
Amazing!!! How did he persevere sending out that many or did someone do it for him?
Dr. Seuss, was rejected by 27 publishers and it went on to sell 6 million. Well, that's hardly likely to happen in England but you never know......perhaps we need to do a deal with Royal Mail.......:)
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3 Comments
We're getting better all the time, Bren!
I've not read the bible according to Peanuts in years. But I remember the wise words in those speach bubbles too just like you and Tony.
Rejection slips have their place I suppose, but you just have to accept that it's not the right time and the right publisher or agent. But that's no reason to give up. We all must keep moving forward, sending our stuff out. Cos if we stop, that publisher or agent never gets the oportunity to accept.
Keeping positive is so important. :o)
Take care all.
Nibs
:o)
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