I have to admit that I have had a successful run as a writer. It is not unusual then for people to assume I have never had a book rejected. Of course, over the years I have. Moreover, it is not unusual for writers (like me) to recall the words of a turn down with greater precision rather than the endearing terms of acceptance. So I racked my memory, and checked old correspondence and came up with these doleful words.
“It’s not for me.”
“I don’t think it works.”
“You’ll just need to rethink it.”
“I changed my mind. You bullied me into acceptance.”
“I’m afraid it doesn’t move me.”
“I’m going to have to pass on this one.”
“It doesn’t make any sense.”
“I simply cannot publish this.”
“It would ruin your reputation.”
“Hopefully someone else can find merit in this.”
“I’m so disappointed.”
“You really need to learn how to write.”
“Well, the title is good, but … ”
“It’s not nearly as good as … “
And my favorite,
“It lacks salt.”
Mind you, some of these books went on to be published, and did quite well. So it is useful to recall what an editor once said to me—upon rejecting a book—”I’m not the only editor in town.”
Turns out, he was right.
5 thoughts on “Doleful words”
Oh, how I have heard some of those!
Avi, I am really curious to know what happens to things you can’t sell. Do you keep trying to sell them over the years or eventually abandon them?
I ask because I am in that situation. I have dozens of items that got rejected years ago and am thinking of dusting some of them off!
Might be a good idea for another blog post. The ones that got away … or got put away …
Your favorite is my favorite. 🙂 THANK GOODNESS for many editors with many different preferences and ways of looking at the world… every book deserves to be in the hands of an editor who feels as passionately about it as the author.
Dear AVI,
My name is Isabella and im 11 I LOVE your Crispin books. I read Crispin the cross of lead with my 5th grade teacher and got hooked… So I read the 2nd and the 3rd wich I just finished today. I would like if you made a 4th it was so deep at the ending I read slowly and prasisly.You are such a talented wiiter…
Sincerely ,
Isabella (im now in 6th)
It’s very encouraging to hear that even a writer of your caliber receives these rejections. After a few recent disappointing rejections I’ve received, this was a timely post to read.
It’s hard for me to believe that David LaRochelle still gets rejections. Please don’t tell me it’s true. I’ve got my ears plugged and I’m singing, “la,la,la,” to block it all out.