Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Literary Rejection

I finished novel one of my Danish sister novels and sent it to Covenant for their consideration in June. Unlike my other submissions, I had high hopes for this one. I’ve worked on it so long and so hard trying to meld it into a really good novel. Some of you can understand then, the heartbreak of rejection I felt when, barely a month later and just before we moved, I got my rejection email.


“Dear Ms. Scott,

Thank you for submitting Farewell, My Denmark. After careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion that it is not something that fits our publishing needs. We appreciate the skills, effort, and time that have gone into preparing your manuscript.

Best wishes in your future writing endeavors.

Sincerely,

The Editors

Somehow, I think being rejected by email is worse than getting a letter. When I read this, I envisioned them treating my manuscript the same way that I’d treat a stinky, cloth diaper—one that’s also soaking wet. I was devastated. I cried like a three-year-old who’d just experienced the loss of a pet.

Discouragement—I’ve come to know the feeling so well. Not only in my writing life and my artistic life, but my family life as well. It’s all grown together to form a large, sticky mass surrounding me and my endeavors.

How does one relieve themselves of the anti-life-form of discouragement? Shall I be discouraged then, until someone grabs up my novel and eagerly publishes it—or until all of my children learn to be good citizens and valiant in their faith?

That would be a pointless waste of my time, and my life. I must rise above the goo.

4 comments:

Marsha Ward said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, er, rejection. It so feels like a loss, though, doesn't it.

Joyce P Smith said...

Tina, Wow after this letter, you move and go to the retreat - it's amazing that you were even able to smile. What a trooper you are! You rival with those little ants that troop in and out nothing wavering and when they drop their bootie they pick it up and go at it again.

You're right you shouldn't waste your time on depression or discouragement, they are totally pointless. Keep the smile and be an ant. Don't forget the chocolate (I hear it's a cure all). Maybe you should stick to the dark kind I understand that it's healthier for you! :O)

Keep the chin up & sing a song... run around the house singing with gusto - yep that should do the trick! LOL :O)

~Joyce

Tina Scott, author, artist said...

I think I ate my bodyweight in chocolate at the retreat. It was wonderful.

Valerie Ipson said...

Sorry about the rejection--all anyone can ever do is keep plugging...