Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartIt’s Not Personal
by Elaine Burroughs
I had the pleasure of attending RWA’s national conference in Orlando about a month ago. Having been to 2 of these national (aka bigger) conferences in recent years, I knew what to expect: plenty of books, 2100+ people, great speakers and panels, and a wonderful time. And yes, all of those happened yet again.
One of the best panels I attended was “Buy This Book!” given by Jenny Gardiner (www.jennygardiner.net), along with her agent Holly Root, agent Barbara Poelle, and Pocket Books senior editor Abby Zidle. It was here that I discovered an often repeated secret but it became astoundingly clear: It’s Not Personal. I’m talking about the big “R” word here: Rejection. At whichever level it happens to be (rejection from an agent, editor, whether the book becomes mass market paperback instead of hard cover, rejection of what you want in general).
It’s not personal.
Jenny’s presentation essentially was a “mock” meeting as would be done at a publishing house. The editor, a publicity person, a media person, foreign rights person, etc. are all in attendance. This is the meeting where the editor tries to convince others at the publishing house to “buy this book” that he/she wants to edit.
This was incredibly eye-opening. We as writers think of our manuscripts as our precious babies, something near and dear to our hearts. As we should, for without passion and personal investment, the book wouldn’t be worth the paper it’s printed on. But when it goes out into the world, it’s a PRODUCT. At this stage, anything can happen. Four out of five people in the meeting could love the book, and the main head honcho could not like it. Guess what that means? Rejection. But it’s not personal; it was a business decision made for whatever reason.
It became clear that the marketability, the dollars and cents, the ability to spread the word or promote the book near a holiday occasion became big concerns…not much was mentioned about the writing or the writer.
What should we writers glean from this? Remember to put that passion into your work, but once you’re submitting it, it becomes a product, not something you should take personally if it gets rejected.
Carry on, and keep on going!
About the author
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Elaine Burroughs | http://www.thewriterscanvas.com/ |
August 31st, 2010 at 7:31 am
Thanks for the reminder, Elaine. I think you’re spot on with how we need to channel our passion into the creation of the book then push that baby out of the nest and hope she can fly.
And, hey, if you keep at it, the rejection letters do eventually get better even if it still stings to get one. (Applying metaphorical calamine over here)
August 31st, 2010 at 7:46 am
Elaine,
I loved your post. I wish I had been at Nationals to see this presentation. I think the concept of thinking about your work as a product will help it sell in the end. It’s just one more element in the mix.
Marilyn
August 31st, 2010 at 8:28 am
Wow! Eye opening. I wish more newbies could see or hear that. Thanks a ton for sharing that with us. I’ll have to try to find the tape for that one. It’s a hard pill to take, but one we all need to understand.
Thanks, Elaine!!!
Tami
August 31st, 2010 at 8:37 am
Good morning Elaine,
Great panel and great article. Thanks for thinking to remind everyone of us that “it’s not personal”. Maybe it can take a bit of the sting out.
Sandy
August 31st, 2010 at 9:52 am
Thanks Elaine, but “ouch”, it still stings. Oh, I’m much better than I used to be. You are so right and I’m glad you pointed this out. I guess it “stings” some agent when they turn him/her down.
August 31st, 2010 at 9:58 am
Interesting how our passion as a writer becomes a cold business decision. I’m still a firm believer that you turn in the best you can do, and the editor has had a good night sleep, the day is sunny, her teenage daughter as told her she loves her at breakfast, and you are holding you mouth just right a 9:54 AM that your book will sell. You just don’t know what the it will be.
August 31st, 2010 at 12:08 pm
It’s hard to think of our “babies” as a product, but that’s what they are from the time they leave us. Even if they get past the gauntlet and get published, then the reader still has to make the choice with their purchase.
August 31st, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Interesting workshop. I missed that one, but it sounds worthwhile.
Susan, I’m right there with you on your theory!
August 31st, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Thanks for the comments, everyone
Actually, this post comes at a very timely moment, for I received 5 rejections in the last 36 hours. (Yes, count them Sally…5…I am beating you at the rejection tallies and will win that contest at the end of the year!)
It *is* really hard not to take things personally, and someone pointed out how my post was scheduled to go live today, and yet in light of recent days this is exactly what I needed to hear too.
Thanks again for the comments!
Elaine
August 31st, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Aw, man! Hugs, Elaine. Hang in there and it will happen. Persistence is the key.
August 31st, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Five rejections in 36 hours, you are hot, Elaine. I’ve only got two. Total. For the year. I can’t tell you how much the Rejection Collection contest helps to take out that sting. Hope we do it again next year.
That conference workshop does sound interesting. We should think of our babies as products. It’s the only way we’ll get them out there. It would be a good exercise to imagine ourselves as an editor in that meeting, pitching our manuscript to editorial coworkers and higher-ups. What would we say? How could we prove people would buy this book? Food for thought.
September 1st, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Elaine,
I attended this same workshop last year in Washington DC and I agree that it was an eye opener! I think EVERY writer would benefit from seeing and hearing what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ at such publishing house meetings. Sadly, writing a good book is not enough.
AC