Now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

[felis_ultharus]

So, I got my first rejection letter today.

All in all, it was the best rejection I could have gotten. It was blunt, said exactly what was wrong with the work, but liked many elements and the core of the story. The criticisms were all correct, and things I've been thinking about since.

The editor said,"Obviously we think there's something worthwhile here, or we wouldn't have offered comments." She also added, "If you decide to revise the manuscript, do try us again."

So you can guess what I'll be doing, starting first thing tomorrow. Tonight it's still a little raw to start.

But mostly I'm just glad to have gotten this far. My sending it in didn't seem real until I got this answer. For the last four months, I've been in a fog, and always tired.

I think I'm just going to veg for the day, and plunge back into my first novel again before dawn tomorrow. My goal is to have the novel ready by birthday.

So how are you all doing...?

Comments

[esprix.livejournal.com]

Aw, it's ok, boo. A big milestone - the first of many on the path to success! :)

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm certainly hoping it is :)

[zeecoldwater.livejournal.com]

Getting a rejection letter like that for your first novel, from the first publisher you sent it to, is an incredibly good sign, from what I've read about publishing. Of course, I never got the courage (or the finished stories) to send in, so I am not talking from practical experience, just from reading about other writers' experiences with trying to get published.

Good luck with the revision!

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And I think it is a good sign, too.

[jenjoou.livejournal.com]

I know that rejection letters suck but to me that sounds like a good thing, actually. I've gotten the generic rejection letter where no one has even bothered to sign their name at the bottom. The fact that they want to see your novel again means that they liked it even if they didn't think it was quite ready yet.

So good luck on the revision! I look forward to the next version. ^_^

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

That gives me some hope.

And be careful what you wish for. I might just inflict that upon you :p

[em-fish.livejournal.com]

Rejection does suck, but it's great that there was some positivity to sweeten it for you - and as you said, obviously they think it's worthwhile.

How am I doing? Not so good, actually. I am not going to burden your venerable LJ with the details, but I will say thank Heaven for Sarah. She is the only good thing in my otherwise shambolic and ignoble existance.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

What's up, hon? It's no burden.

[maidenofirisa.livejournal.com]

As far a rejections go, it's like you said, the best you could have gotten. If nothing else, I'm happy to hear they are interested.

Good luck with the revisions!

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[infinitecomplex.livejournal.com]

That does sound like a very positive rejection. For a first novel and a first response, it's very unusual for the publisher to take the time to give detailed feedback - never mind encourage you to resubmit the novel. Definitely not a disappointing result.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

I think (and hope!) you're right. Thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot from someone who is published :)

[girl-fawkes.livejournal.com]

What everyone else said! You're on your way!!

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[lux-apollo.livejournal.com]

:-)

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

^_^
I'm hoping it goes well.

[melting-penguin.livejournal.com]

You were floating through my mind today and I was wondering how to get in touch with you when I remembered LJ! Sorry to hear about the rejection, but it's good to hear that there was actual constructive criticism. Best of luck revising.

I'm in that strange limbo of maternity leave land. Michael is 4 and a half, bright, creative and stubborn as a rock (neither of us can figure out where he gets that...) Joseph is 7 months and a total honey that I can bring anywhere.

Any chance of catching up one of these days?

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking about you this week. I would like to get together, but it might not be this weekend. What's your coming week look like...?

[melting-penguin.livejournal.com]

For next week I'm good any morning but Thursday. (if it's just me & Joseph we actually get to talk!) If you wanted to try for the whole crew it would probably have to be a Saturday. Life is pretty much controlled by naptimes...let me know what you think.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

I was going to say Tuesday, but now I'm not sure. Easter weekend has screwed up the monthly attendance, and so now I don't know if I'm working the weekend or this week.

I'll have a better idea tomorrow, and I'll get back to you then!

[(Anonymous)]

Sounds good! I'll keep an eye out...

[rougemacabre.livejournal.com]

Aww, well I'm disappointed to hear, but at the same time, that's actually a pretty exciting rejection letter, all things considered.

Things are going well on my end. Two more weeks and I'm done with the semester. Itching to be home free and have my life back. I'm debating whether or not I want to continue... but umm, that's kind of been a debate for a while now. :)

When I'm done with the semester, it'd be lovely to have you over or go out for tea.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

That would be lovely. Or gaming - but I won't push that until the chaos is done on your end.