Saturday, September 19, 2009

Crud

*
Crud.

That was my exact thought when my agent told me that the editor who had read my novel and requested revisions - then liked the revisions - then sent it on to someone else in their group to read


was passing on the novel.



Crud.


Is the novel stronger after those the revisions and will thus fare better in the next submission round? yes


Am I ultimately glad that they are passing if they aren't uber excited about the project (I mean, we do deserve and want that, right?) ? yes


When I think about it, is a free full novel critique from an editor at a major publishing house a wonderful gift? absolutely


Still,



crud.



oh, and my second thought?

this road to publication is so blasted long!
*

43 comments:

Charlie Rice said...

I'm sorry for the setback. :(

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

Sorry to hear this Tess. :( Sending some cyber-hugs. Hope that the next editor who sees you work is uber-excited about it!

Nayuleska said...

Doesn't make the blow any sweeter for now...but you're one step closer to finding the people who adore the manuscript.

MeganRebekah said...

Yikes. That is tough news to hear. But you seem to have the right perspective to deal with the setback. Keep working hard!

lisa and laura said...

Oh, Tess, I'm so sorry. I think you're living our life, just a week later than we are. We definitely need to catch up via e-mail.

Janna Leadbetter said...

I'm sorry to hear about the crud, Tess. Head up, stay strong. We're here to carry you through the long journey.

Jennifer Shirk said...

CRUD! But yes, I would want them to be super excited about my book, too. Maybe the next publishing house will be the one.

Scott said...

Nothing in life is easy, and we appreciate it all the more once we get past the crud.

Yeah, that sounds lame, doesn't it? How about . . .

Whatever doesn't break you, makes you stronger?

Nope, still sounds lame. Hmmmmm . . .

No good deed goes unpunished . . . oops, sorry, channeling the music from Wicked!!

Sorry, in the words of Mary Poppins - chin up! You've made it this far, and I have faith you'll make it all the way. One of these days, we're all going to be rushing out to buy your book. I can't wait to get all geeky with the clerk at Borders and say "Ya know, I know her!!" and point to your picture on the back cover. : )

S

Tess said...

Thanks, friends! How lucky am I to have a blogging community of writers who really understand this process? Chin up and onward, right?

Tess said...

and, thanks for the laugh Scott. It was perfect.

Unknown said...

Yep, crud.

But one step closer!

superpaige said...

But don't give up!

Linda Kage said...

It IS a long, torturous road. I sold one book and thought, "yes, I'm in!" Ha! I ain't in nothing. Book two is just as hard if not harder to sell. Sighs. I know exactly how you feel.

But Superpaige is right, just don't give up. That won't sell a book either.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Crud...good word. The arrival will be worth the walk.
~ Wendy

Unknown said...

Catastrophic! Unthinkable! Gross!

It's okay. It will work itself out. The world doesn't stop and persistence is 99% of this game.

I feeling you used to win board games... You'll win this one.

Stephanie McGee said...

Oh man! That bites! But you'll find the perfect editor for you and all your future soon, I'm sure of it.

Best of luck! Now, go eat some chocolate or something. Chocolate (according to my mom) always makes anything look better.

Caroline Starr Rose said...

I'm sorry! I know the stakes are higher with every step, so the rejections must be even more frustrating.

You've got a great agent on your side who will see this through.

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

I'm sorry for the disappointment, but congrats on making it as far as you did! Sounds like you're a great writer! Just think, it'll make your "before I was published" story that much better one day... :0)

Davin Malasarn said...

Stay strong, Tess! Eye of the Tiger! You are an amazing writer. I admire you so much, just based on the few writing samples you have posted here. I think you're going to make a big splash; it will happen for you.

Clementine said...

Ugh. This thing really is a ride, isn't it? But to get that far...that part must feel good. I can't wait to hear the rest of this story. It's going to make your success story that much sweeter...for all of us!
I'm glad I found your blog! I'm looking forward to reading more of your work.

Amy Allgeyer Cook said...

Bugger all. It's always the 'other people' at the publishing house that muck everything up.

Hang in there, my friend. At least you have a lot of great company on the road. :)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Hey Tess, thanks for your advice on my blog today. It's a strange and scary process (sending queries), especially going about it backwards, the way I've done :) I really appreciate how much support I've gotten from blogging, so any advice is appreciated. Thanks again! Have a great day.

PJ Hoover said...

So well said. And always good to remember you aren't in it alone!
Sending happy thoughts your way.

Sherrie Petersen said...

Oh, bummer!
It is a long road, but you'll get there.
You have the talent and the attitude to make it.
Good luck :)

Kate Karyus Quinn said...

Oh crud is right. Keep on that long road - and don't forget it gets shorter with every step!

Angie Muresan said...

You are a wonderful writer, and I enjoy checking in every morning to see what else you've thought to write about. Do not give up, you're almost there. Just think of how sweet the victory will be.

Tess said...

All this encouragement is making me feel downright chipper today! How wonderful, thank you all :)

MG Higgins said...

The word I'm thinking of is much stronger than crud! You have a great attitude. This writing road is so bumpy it's amazing we still have all our teeth. Hugs.

Elana Johnson said...

That dang crud. Hang in there Tess, you will find the right house for you and Love.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Bummer! That editor is going to kick himself when WITH A NAME LIKE LOVE wins a Newberry. You're right you got a free critique. Let's just call this your practice run.

Jill Kemerer said...

I'm so sorry. I think the disappointment level skyrockets when you're as far as you are. It's like you can feel it--getting published--and then, bam! Nope. I'm so sorry again.

Tabitha Bird said...

Oh, sad to hear that. Yeah, crud! Hope the next publisher is falling over themselves to publish it :)
Glad to have found your blog.

Crystal said...

SHOOT! Darn it, Tess, you sounded so CLOSE! I'm so sorry, girl, but like you said, maybe now the manuscript is probably stronger than ever before. And yes, you did get the whole thing read by an editor and that in itself is quite AWESOME! Hang in there, Tess . . . crossing my fingers that the next editor (and the whole acquisitions team!) will say YES! :)

storyqueen said...

Do not give up. I know I don't need to tell you this, but I'm saying it anyway.

In this game, it is all about persistence.

Shelley

Danyelle L. said...

*hugs* It's funny how the thing we don't really want can still bring us down when we don't get it.

*sympathy cookies* *more hugs*

Susan R. Mills said...

Sorry for the setback, but it can only make it better, right? Hope the next editor likes it. Keep us posted!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Crud is right. I know you will hang in there, because you've got incredible spirit. I wish I could be as funny as Scott, because laughter helps put the bounce back in our step. Anyway, we are all here in your corner.

Anna C. Morrison said...

Crud! So sorry to hear that.

Kelly H-Y said...

I love your tiny little comments under the bigger comments! You are so right, though. Sorry it didn't work out ... but so glad to hear it is ever stronger than before after the revisions! You'll get there!

kah said...

Everything is and will be exactly what it needs to be. :) Repeat ten times and post in the morning.

Tess said...

Wonderful and helpful comments, thanks to everyone who took the time to come over. What a great community we have in each other :)

Anonymous said...

Soon, Tess. Soon. You're excellent and your uber-excited publishing house is coming soon.

Unknown said...

Hugs, but I never thought of a couple of those things. Those really are good things, in a runner up kind of way.