Welcome on board and welcome to the first Thursday Thread!
The Thursday Thread will offer something for everyone and lots of chance to head over and join in the discussion.
Enjoy!
Thursday Thread Topic
Rejection
During the week I hosted my first Write Squad Community Academy workshop. It’s not really an academy but it sounds good, right?
Anyway, the workshop was ‘Pitch Like a Pro’ and covered all the things you need to prepare for and send off your pitch/query to agents and publishers.
I first presented it to my WSC members (many who are now over here on Substack *waves*), and then after receiving great feedback, I opened the workshop up to the GP (general public), which also went swimmingly.
But, I then realised I’d missed an important topic - rejection.
Because it’s all well and good to do the nerve-wracking and excitement filled pitch/query, but then what?
The then what?, is one of three things:
Radio silence
A request for the full manuscript
Rejection
Rejection isn’t easy. And the thing about rejection is, that it’s not something that finishes when you get a book deal or head down the indie publishing route.
Rejection from the traditional pathway - from agents and publishers - is somewhat expected. It’s not common that you’ll get picked up on your first submission. That’s not to say it doesn’t happen, but it’s not often.
But even so, it’s not easy to take.
The thing to remember - and the thing I’m going to include in my next workshop - is that there are so many different reasons a manuscript is rejected.
Rejection can be because:
They have something similar already on their list
The story/genre doesn’t fit their list right now for reason X, Y or Z
A saturated market for your type of book
The writing wasn’t strong enough
Not following the submission guidelines
It just didn’t grab their attention like they needed it to
It wasn’t for them or they couldn’t relate to the protagonist
The pages didn’t fit the genre it was pitched as
A lot of the time, it’s not that your book or story isn’t good enough, it’s a myriad of other reasons related to publishing.
It’s kind of like… ‘it’s not you, it’s me’.
So, how do you prepare and deal with rejection:
Accept that it’s going to happen
Sit with the rejection and feel the emotions
Take on board any feedback if given
Make a plan to move forward
Keep writing & don’t give up!
Know when to move on from the current manuscript on submission and move forward with your next work in progress.
And, also realise that rejection is something that goes hand in hand with a creative industry.
Your book could be rejected by agents, by publishers, by reviewers, by readers, by critics. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy. It simply means it’s not for them at this moment in time.
You’ll also sometimes even face rejection from writing panels or festivals you apply for, residencies, competitions, podcasts. Rejection is all around.
There’s a reason people in this industry encourage you to have a ‘thick skin’. Because you need to. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t feel all the feels.
Rejection sucks. It hurts. We take it personally. Even though we shouldn’t.
But then we have to suck it up and move on.
How do you feel about rejection? What rejections have you faced? Have you laughed in the face of rejection and won?
Comps & Opps & News
If you’re in Australia and love writing about rural life in Australia, then the Olga Masters short story comp will be right up your alley. But, be quick entries close Aug 31st. Find out more here.
Jane Friedman is a leader in the field of writing and publishing knowledge. Based in the US she has her finger on the pulse with everything from AI developments to what publishers are looking for right now. If you have a spare hour or so this interview with Jane is a great insight into publishing and the state of the industry right now.
Friday Feedback Sessions
Who’s up next?
Do you have a scene, a chapter, a synopsis, a query letter, anything that you’d love feedback on? (Max 2,000 words)
Then be part of the Friday Feedback Session. You’ll get personalised feedback from me, and with your permission, I’ll share some of my advice with the group here so we can all learn and grow.
Hit me up!
Next Writing Zoom
Our next writing zoom session will be held:
Monday 5th August 7:30pm - 8:30pm (Aus. Eastern Standard Time)
Here’s the zoom link!
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Jodi Gibson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: WSC Writing & Chat Session
Time: Aug 5, 2024 07:30 PM Australia/Melbourne
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86349274637?pwd=nbwnTIOC5fHau1RCfUZ8AkGy3l2pna.1
Meeting ID: 863 4927 4637
Passcode: 751405
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Have you checked out the chat function?
If you head to our WSC Substack webpage or on the app, you can access the chat function. It’s kind of like our own private social media page where we can chat and discuss all the things. All paid subscribers have access to the chat and you can start a chat thread, so if you have something to say, something to share, a question to ask check it out!
I was rejected just this week. Some writers count their rejections. I wish I'd started doing that. I might start from today! Lol! :)