Hello, everyone!
You have reached the rambling, the fangirling, and the general chill-pad of theOtaku's NightBeck, a.k.a Becky, a.k.a Crimson Lotus the Irish Ninja.
... okay, maybe not the last one. But people will be calling me that one day.
This is your place to chill, talk about life and fandom, and be generally crazy. So go on. Play nice, be good to each other, don't make me hurt you.
My favorite series: Princess Tutu, Ookiku Furikabutte, Mushishi, xxxHOLiC, Monster, Black Lagoon, Ergo Proxy, Escaflowne, and Baccano!
My writing: Cafe Cliche
So I began my morning with an agent telling me that my main characters are bland.
Yeaahhhhhhh.
If I don't have any luck with these last submissions and queries, it's pretty much over for this book, guys. Not because I'm quitting, but because there really aren't a lot of other agents I can send queries to. I still love the story and the characters, but I think it would have to be a completely different book in order to get anywhere. And if all fifty-something agents who have rejected me felt that way thus far, I'm really not too optimistic about anyone else feeling differently.
Thanks for all your support regardless of what happens. ♥
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read your manuscript.
I really enjoyed GRANDMASTER DRAW. You're very talented -- I found the writing natural, atmospheric, and evocative and it grabbed me right away. This was one of the most distinct submissions I have read in some time. Unfortunately, all of the elements just didn't all come together for me in the manuscript, and I had a harder time getting into the story than I would have liked. For that reason, I'm going to have to pass.
As you know, these decisions are highly subjective and another agent will likely have a different opinion.
I want to reiterate that I think you're very talented and I would be very pleased to receive submissions from you in the future. In the meantime, I wish you the very best in finding a good home for your writing.
Kind regards,
Steve
Well... it was the nicest rejection I ever could have hoped for.
And now, back to work.
EDIT: I thanked him for such a nice rejection, and he replied with this:
Rebecca,
Thanks. Think of it as a note of encouragement rather than a rejection.
You have many great things ahead of you.
Steve
Oh my God what a sweetheart. *bawls*
So if I ever snap one day and decide I want to ruin my future in publishing forever, I know just the query letter to send to one of my rejectors:
Dear [Agent],
You may remember me from my query letter regarding my 75,000-word YA ...
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Ouch! My first two rejections came in within five minutes of each other. Bam bam, just like that. One was from my first choice, and one was from someone I queried yesterday (who wasn't actually supposed to send rejections, but e-mailed me just to say that it wasn't a good fit. Double ouch.)
I am pleased to report that there were no tears involved. There's no crying in publishing.
As per Spring of Rejection and Heartbreak rules and regulations, I took two shots of vodka, one for each rejection. That sort of burns, by the way.
Oh well! Time to go back for more, for I am a masochist.
