Rejection Letters

Everyone is familiar with the "Dear John Letter." A letter sent by a woman to a man madly in love with her who has found someone else. Dumped via a letter. These letters were usually sent to soldiers off fighting in wars on foreign soil. Their love, who promised to wait for the man's return, found someone new and was ending their relationship. These letters were viewed as the cruelest letter to receive. Many will argue in this new age, "text" breakups, are just as painful.

Writers will tell you the "rejection" letters/e-mail from potential agents and publishers are excruciating also. After writing what they believe to be the best book ever, writers send out their query letter letting agents and publishers know they have a manuscript the world needs to read. With hopes high and fingers crossed, writers wait for a reply of acceptance. To their dismay, "rejection letters" roll in quickly.

Some refusals are polite, instructive, and encouraging. Some rejections are brutal, insensitive, and cold. But writers know this is part of the process to become a published author and they continue sending their work out into the world to be rejected once again. Don't become dismayed. You are in good company. Many famous authors survived being rejected multiple times and we are forever grateful they did not give up.

• Margaret Mitchell was rejected 38 times before she published Gone With the Wind.
• Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen were rejected 144 times before they published Chicken Soup for the Soul.
• Robert Pirsig was reject 121 times before publishing Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
• James Joyce was rejected by 22 publishing houses before Dubliners was published.
• Joseph Heller was also rejected 22 times before publishing Catch-22.
• Frank Herbert was rejected 23 times before publishing Dune.
• James Patterson was rejected 31 times before publishing The Thomas Berryman Number.
• Alex Haley received 200 rejections before seeing Roots in print.
• Jack London received 600 rejections before publishing his first story.
• J. K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishing houses in a row before Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone saw the light of the day.
• Louis L’Amour, whose books have sold 330 million copies, was rejected 200 times before he could publish his first book.

I am currently sending out queries for my book, When Will Eve Be Forgiven?, and I'm hoping not to become discouraged from the many rejection letters I'm expecting to receive. For my mental health I decided to try to engage with my fellow writers/authors as I obsessively check my e-mails for the wonderful ACCEPTANCE lettere-mail.

I enjoy INTERVIEWING people from different walks of life on various topics. I would love to share with others on my blog the agony of rejection letters and how writers find the courage to continue putting their work out there. I would love for my readers to be able to read some of the more INTERESTING rejection letters you have received.

AUTHORS!!! Participation appreciated for interviews regarding manuscript rejections. Answer the below questions, e-mail answers to rizerfall@yahoo.com, include your photo, state/country you live in (optional), work, book, links, and please share your rejection letter story. 

I need encouragement and I know other writers new or old to the querying process needs support and encouragement as well.

QUERY REJECTION INTERVIEW

1.    How long have you been a writer?

2.    Genre?

3.    Estimate your number of rejections so far in your career.

4.    Worse rejection letter received.

5.    How or what do you do to bounce back from rejection of your work?

6.    Best advice for writers regarding submitting their work to agents/publishers?

Help me spread the word about this offered insight and support for writers.

Thank you all so much for your participation and good luck in your journey.

INTRVIEW: Genna Rowbotham, Author

INTERVIEW: Genna Rowbotham, Author

WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN

Creativity and imagination is what it takes to write books for children along with a healthy dose of love and children's book author, Genna Rowbotham, fills that requirement with extra to spare. One look at her magical book covers let you know you're about to enter a world only she could dream up for little ones to enjoy. She extends an opportunity for parent and child to escape the seriousness of life and allow children to be children in short stories made to entertain while weaving lessons to help the reader grow. You can tell by Genna's smile she is meant to bring a smile to the reader's face and if you look close, you can see the sparkle of magic in her eyes.   

                                                        

1.       What is the name of your book/genre?

My latest children’s novel ‘The Wish Fairy of Stoney Middleton’ is a short story about a young girl called, Jessie who is heartbroken over the loss of her much-loved horse, Cleo. At school, she daydreams of Cleo and is desperate for her to be alive and well again, so when the English teacher tells her to write a story, she creates a magical tale about a Wish Fairy that can grant wishes. The trouble is things don’t go exactly to plan... The story is full of magic and teaches young and old about love, loss, and the magic of wishes.

2.       When did you start your writing career?

My career began in the secretarial field until becoming a full-time Mum, but thoughts of writing a children’s book would often pop into my head. Usually, when I was reading stories to my own children. At the time, I didn’t think it was something possible for me and hadn’t a clue how I would go about it. But whenever I mentioned writing a book, my husband would say, ‘Just do it!’ So I did. In 2017, I took the plunge, and I have been writing ever since. I have learnt so much since back then, but you never stop learning and there is so much to learn in the publishing world.

3.       Did you have support from family/friends/community?

Yes, especially my husband. If it hadn’t been for his constant love, support and faith in me I might have given up. He believed in me when I didn’t and encouraged me to keep going.

4.       What is most difficult about an author’s life?

Writing can be very time-consuming but as a busy Mum, I love the flexibility of working my own hours and I have always loved the world of books, so I count myself lucky doing the job that I love. Creating stories for children to enjoy is very rewarding.

5.       As a woman do you feel an obligation to write on women’s issues (in some form)?

No. I am more drawn to entertaining children through my books and hopefully, they can learn some life issues/lessons that might help them along the way.

6.       Do you create stereotypical female characters i.e., weak, need to be saved?

No, not at all. I write different characters with different problems regardless of gender. They might have weaknesses in some form but that helps them to learn and grow as their character evolves throughout the story.

7.       Do you try to be politically correct or stay away from politics/controversial current event as plots?

It’s not something I’ve consciously thought about writing children’s books. But I’m not interested in writing about politics/controversial current events as plots. There are far more exciting stories to be told.

8.       What makes a woman a success?

Not trying to fit into any role model but being yourself and following your own unique path – whatever makes you happy. Challenging yourself often. Creating goals and passionately striving for them. Being confident in your own skin. Independence. Respect for oneself. Courage.

I hope you enjoyed today's interview and hope it encourages you to follow your dream of writting. Please support Genna and go to her links below and check out her work and share with friends and family. 

If you would like to be featured on WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN, it's easy. Contact me at: rizerfall@yahoo.com for the details.

www.gennarowbotham.co.uk

https://twitter.com/GennaRowbotham

The Wish Fairy of Stoney Middleton by Genna Rowbotham | Goodreads

The Wish Fairy of Stoney Middleton eBook : Rowbotham, Genna: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

   

INTERVIEWS NEEDED

Hello and welcome to my blog.

I have found the best way to get the truth on a subject is to let the PEOPLE speak.

As a woman, do you want your voice heard as an author, minister, dreadlock wearer, what womanhood means, or anti-Red Pill believer? 

Then you have found the right space to address these issues and other womanhood issues. 

You and your thoughts/opinions/philosophies can impact thousands who read my daily posts helping to shape future minds. It will also be a place where men can come and be assured, they are truly reading to understand women and womanhood.

It's simple. I have formulated questions that will give insight to each of the 5 categories mentioned above. Just contact me rizerfall@yahoo.com and let me know whether you are an author, minister, dreadlock/loc wearer, want to address womanhood, or anti-Red Pill and I will e-mail you the easy questions for you to answer and e-mail back (you can share your links, business, web presence, books, and any other contact info if you desire).

I have such a love for all women, and I want to support, encourage, and empower every woman to live her best life.

Please share this opportunity with your family, friends, and social media audience to encourage and empower them also.

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