Finally got a response today. Never thought I’d be so happy to be rejected but at least I have an answer. And while the novel was rejected I was also given a critique that gave me much food for thought. I’m going to do a rewrite of the story and try to decide where to go from there. More querying or try to e-publish. Any thoughts folks?
For those wondering and needing a reminder “THE BRIDGE” is a unique blend of paranormal horror/mystery/with a sci-fi twist that would make the Twilight Zone proud.
Musings Of Two Creative Minds 
Not sure whether to say too bad or congratulation. Either way at least you have a plan of attack. Hope you get it published!
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I will one day. And as for what to say, I’m cool with it. I waited over a year and a half for a response. The wait is over and I feel better just for that. Plus I got a critique that’s proving very helpful, so I think it’s good.
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Happy to be rejected – I like that. 🙂
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After over a year and a half of waiting, it was a relief just to have ANY answer. Plus I got a critique that is going to be very helpful when I do another rewrite. After that, it’s either query or e-publish. Not sure which just yet.
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Well at least you know and got critique that might help you. I am choosing to self-publish only because I want to get my book out sooner than later and also because I don’t want to lose any control over it. Have you posted any excerpts on this site?
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Yes I have, but they are quite a ways back. I can give you dates if that would help or I can repost them. It’s been quite a while and I have a lot of new readers these days who’ve probably never seen them.
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Whatever works best for you. I am interested in reading some of them.
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Sorry to hear about your rejection, but don’t worry since there’s hardly a new author who hasn’t. The bright side is they still thought your novel was good enough for them to bother to critique and give you pointers on how you might be able to approve it.
And like KMTreat, I’m going the self-published route. I’ve chose to do it through CreateSpace.
Unlike the vast majority of self-published authors I had my manuscript profressionally edited. Once I had reviewed all the color-coded changes, etc., I printed out the manuscript to do a complete re-read [aloud] making any additional tweaking I saw necessary.
I’m currently in the process of entering the manual changes on my manuscript into WORD; finding even more tweaking needing to be done.
Once I’m finished it’s a “Spelling/Grammar” scan of my WORD document to fine tune it even furtther. Then it’s going to be a FIND MODE for
“NOT” – to find additional contractions which still needs to be made.
“THAT” – this word is very often not needed as it creates a mental pause as one reads the sentence it’s in. In addition it doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence if it’s removed. Sometimes, when you find this word, you might realize a slight change of the wording of the sentence would improve the read of the sentence.
“WHICH” – making sure I haven’t used it in place of “THAT”
@ KMTreat – in case you’re interested I’ve posted excerpts on my blog here on WordPress.com at
http://www.mypennameonly.wordpress.com
NOTE: Clicking on my name takes you to my website where I’ve posted the original copy of my blog.
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Are you talking MS Word? If so, that gives me a sigh of relief up to a point. Still got some serious cleaning up to do on mine before I decide which way to go. But keep me posted on how you’re doing please.
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Are you talking about ghostly whispers? If so, I will check and try and follow it. I, too, had someone edit my manuscript. Hopefully will be submitting to be self-published by the end of the year.
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Yes, Ghostly Whispers is the section of the blog on my web site where I’ve posted snippets from my manuscript. I’m planning to post a few more once my novel has been published. THANKS for offering to follow them, feedback is always wanted and appreciated.
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Morgan, Congratulations on your decision. And thank you for sharing the process of manuscript completion!
I think I shared my manuscript with friends too soon, before it was ready… I am yet to find the time to work on it, even though I am blogging it…
All the best!
Jyo
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It was their loss. Keep working it and submitting it! Most great authors have submitted their books over and over and over before someone picks it up. Don’t give up! If you think this is a great story someone else will too!
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Thanks, I intend to do a serious going over of the MS and studying the critique I was given first. In the meantime, I’ll line up some names of agents to submit and learn their submission guidelines for queries.
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I wish you the best! like the other person wrote, their loss. You have my support. Don’t give up. Show the world what you are made of. Blessings.
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I intend to Johnny and thanks for the support. It’s greatly appreciated.
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I’ve published through PublishAmerica, but now they’ve taken a lot of the things i enjoyed about them away. So my 1st horror novel, i wanted more control over it, so i’m going through createspace. they have a better system and its through amazon so ebooks are easy
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I submitted to something like 70 different agents and publishing houses for my second novel. I cherished the rejection letters I did get. I appreciated any feedback. Don’t give up. Rejection isn’t a “no.” It’s a “not right now,” or “not with me,” or “not like this.” People out there want to read your stuff…they just don’t know it yet. This is all, of course, the things I keep telling myself.
I went the self-publishing route for my first novel. I have no measure of how successful it was. But I consider around 250 copies sold a win for me. Keep in mind self-publishing is a full time job in and of itself. You are the marketer, the editor…the everything. Lots of control=lots of work=lion’s share of profits. The publishing world is changing, though. Keep and eye on eBooks. They are gaining more circulation than paper books. It appears the technological revolution which hit music is hitting books as well (sad because kindles don’t have a tab for “musty smell.”) But it produces much more opportunities to reach readers.
Basically there are pros and cons to traditional publishing, self-publishing, and e-publishing. Find the one that works best for you and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
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Toby, Good on you for finding 70 agents/publishing houses! An admirable effort! Congratulations on publishing your first novel!
Re: self publishing; What is the share in sale of a book for you the author? do they do print on demand? Do you know if print on demand books present well?
All the best with your second novel!
Jyo
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All the best Allan! Congratulations on a strong following you have! Jyo
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Congrats on your rejection! lol When I got my first rejection, I ran around my house screaming and yelping with glee. YES! SOMEone read my novel! Woohoo! So cheers to ya! Glad you got it read and received constructive feedback. Onward and upward, my friend! 😀
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Too bad about your rejection, but really it’s a compliment that they even bothered to critique it. Can’t help you too much with the publishing part, but I did know someone who self-published, but as opposed to e-publishing… I have no clue. Thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit. I appreciate your time. 😀 Good luck with your book… If you have any friends who are teachers, they might consider trying to help you edit it if professionally editing is super expensive. A lot of times, just another pair of eyes to read it catch errors. Our minds often substitute what it knows we meant to be there, and therefore we often don’t catch our own errors.
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The critique is great if it helps you, but waiting over a year to get an answer? No. Do you have people who could beta read for you? They can give you equally valid input without the massive wait. Has an editor seen the work? Go through those steps and then, honestly, you should get it formatted and publish it via all outlets (or go into Amazon select for 3 months for a boost to sales and then go to all outlets).
I did the same thing, years ago, hoping to be published. Re-wrote the first book of my series I don’t know how many times now, trying to fit into ‘their’ idea of what the book should be. I too have a story that is a genre blend (fantasy, horror, science fiction, romance, adventure) I found out that publishers don’t want blended genres – at all! Finally got off that train and self-pubbed June 2011. 6 books later I have hundreds of readers who love the story, multi-genres and all, which is the COOLEST thing ever! I’m making a living off my writing. I pay the bills off the royalties I’m bringing in. I’m not rich and I’m not famous. I’m just a writer.
Consider going the DIY route and you know what, if your book takes off the agents will find you. I know several people who have done well self-publishing who have since been picked up by a trad pub, and I’m not talking about Amanda Hocking either. You will be doing what you love and not waiting on anyone to validate your work except the most important ones – readers.
Good luck!
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i recently got my first rejection notice. it was rejected for length, too short. however the editor provided other positive comments. i think rejection only makes the resolve to succeed stronger. don’t wait too lunt b4 you try again.
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