(Tuesday With Mom)
Last week I wrote about my Mom's bequeathing me (unintentionally) her rejection slips (REJECTIONS FROM BEYOND). Here are two sentences I read from the Director of Harper & Row's Basic Reading Program - written to my Mom on July 26, 1967:
"Your manuscript 'Willie Squigglebug's Shoes' has been read by several members of our evaluating committee. While the story is delightfully imaginative, we do not see a place for it in our current reading program."
Kinda sounded familiar.
As a twist on the day's plans, I'm sending to you a second set of sentences that were sent to me by a kindly editor from St. Martin's Press back in 1981 when I was breathlessly young and ready to break into the historical fiction market:
"I was impressed with both your writing ability and with the amount of research that has obviously gone into the writing of ZANZIBAR, and so I asked others here to read the material. The other readers were also impressed, but not enough for us to make an offer. ...The problem is this: the market for historical novels is not particularly strong these days unless the author is extremely well known..."
My breathlessly young self was left breathlessly stung. I haven't recovered yet, but am hoping the mystery market won't dry up before I get further up the ladder of success.
When it comes to rejection slips, my Mom and I share your pain. The best revenge is to keep writing and make them wish they'd discovered you first!
Write On!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
TWO FOR TUESDAY TWIST
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11 comments:
"The best revenge is to keep writing and make them wish they'd discovered you first!"
Bloody brilliant.
None of us had a clue back then (nor do my acquaintances these days, who all ask when the book will be published.) At least you made it to the second round!
Ditto what Leah said! I'm printing that out and pinning it over my desk.
Good ones, Nan. Some things change, and alas, some don't.
Lois- All my acquaintances do, too. In fact, the son of my cousin (when I explained my comic wasn't published/bought yet) politely said then he'd wait a few weeks before looking for it in the comic shop. Someday, our answers will be very different!
Ditto what Leah and Elaine said! That is brilliant, and I'll be putting that up over my desk, too!
Revenge served up cold. A good, creative, positive, forceful revenge, nonetheless.
Onward, trusted warriors!
Write On!
Nan
Nan, I think it's so cool that you found you mom's rejection slips. Isn't it interesting how some things never change. It never gets any easier, does it? Sigh.
At least they were both "good" rejection letters, not form letters.
I've posted a short "Two for Tuesday" over at http://flightsafancy.blogspot.com/.
Linda
That R word that brings fear and loathing out in every author out there. The word that keeps me from submitting. I should. You just never know who might find it interesting but I still cringe at the thought of getting that rejection letter.
I bet the first rejector of JK Rowling is kicking themselves in the pants. ;)
My 2x2 is up.
I was so busy thinking about your wisdom, Nan, I forgot to add my Twos.
From my YA rewrite:
As she walked up to them, smiling, Hugh wasn’t sure whether her prettiness or the dense, nut-studded cocoa blocks swirled with chocolate frosting distracted him more. Javy elbowed Hugh’s ample gut as if already mocking him for the answer.
From Peggy Ehrhart's interview, an excised tidbit just for you 2 X 2ers, I read:
Her situation is partly based on my experiences in grad school. I was doing it on a total shoestring, but I was determined to get my Ph.D., and the first place I lived had no real lock on the back door.
More tomorrow!
Neat stuff, Nan! Due to personal stuff, I've neither read nor written this week. I'll get back to it next week, though!
Hi Nan,
Your mom came close, but you, my dear, are going to burst out like sunshine and it will be soon.
I have written and read, but am in a hurry so I can't give you a peek. However one of the books I read this week is Peggy Ehrhart's Sweet Man is Gone, which I really enjoyed, so I am looking forward to Clare's interview with Peggy tomorrow.
Terrie
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