Today I received my first rejection. I am not surprised nor am I crying in my frappe.
The feeling is quite good. Crazy? Me?
It feels good to think I have started the official role as a writer. An agent has read my small submission piece, I sat on a slush pile for a brief few moments and this is what they had to say:
Dear Ms Smy,
Thank you for sending us this material.
But I am sorry to say that your novel is not something we would feel 100% confident of being able to handle successfully.
However, there are as many opinions as there are agents and publishers, so we wish you all success in finding suitable representation elsewhere.
With best wishes,
Ms----
Now there is something about the rejection that niggled me a little. Not the no thank you we had a good laugh but, side of it. The Ms title address is my issue.
Dear Miss and Mrs just sit better with me. Anyway, if you do not have your status on your website, I would use Dear Ms. as I did with this particular agent.
What bugs me to be given a reply with Dear Ms Smy when my query has this at the bottom;
Glynis Smy (Mrs).
Am I old fashioned? Probably. However, if it states my title I feel it should be used. Whinge over.
17 comments:
What a great attitude you about your first rejection. Keep the faith!
Since you stated (Mrs) that is how your letter should have been headed. It may be a small error but it can be irritating.Just illustrates that they don't fit you--not the other way around.
Best success!
Mary, I felt the same way. We were not meant to be. Thanks for your upbeat support and for visiting me today.
The "Ms" is an irritant, but a very small one. You're on the right track by not letting the rejection depress you. Keep moving forward. There are other agents out there.
That makes you a full paid up member of the Writers' Club!
Love your attitude. Happy querying...
Karen
You definitely have the right attitude and you're on a good path, it'll just take a little while to find the right opening. Since you signed with Mrs., they should have responded that way.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Hi MRS. Smy! Thanks for coming by my blog! And, I look at rejection letters as progress because it means that the agent a) actually read your submission and b) actually took the time to reply back meaning that they thought my work warrented response. Anyway, good luck!! I'll be following your blog closely!
I'm gla I'm a Mr. just for this reason. Less confusing. But I appreciate your perserverance. Just have to keep plugging away until someone says yes.
Stephen Tremp
Sorry to hear about your rejection Glynis, but I love your attitude towards it! I quickly learned not to read anything into rejections - at least the form ones. At least they got your surname in there! :) :)
Helen, it is a small one I agree. I am just pleased I got a response. No thanks is better than nothing. I will plod along as I do. :)
Elaine, wow thanks I suppose it does. I am a writer with a rejection. :)
Karen thanks. I have to be realistic or it will get to me. I have 3 friends who are dying, so this is a small blip in my life. :)
Mason, thanks I feel the same. I am in no hurry, so will plod along.
Erin, thanks. Yes it is a good thing and a learning curve.
You are so lucky Mr Tremp. If it is meant to be it will happen.
Thank you all for your kind support!
Hi Talli, yes they did acknowledge my name. Maybe my reaction to the rejection was to nit-pic at the Ms. :)
I am not going to let it depress me, I want to enjoy the process of writing. If this gets to me, then it is a chore and not a pleasure.
Thanks for visiting and supporting me today. Happy scribbling my blogging friend. :)
glynis, sorry to hear about the rejection letter, no matter how many you get it is a bummer (I keep mine in a file but i hear some guy papered his bathroom wall with them!!)
you've an amazing attitude and with that a breakthrough will surely happen. strength and honor my friend xoxo
Amanda, thanks. Lol I have a room that needs decorating, and am sure to have enough one day to do it out with rejection papers.
I have printed it off for a file, rejections are important to keep me focused on improving my work.
Thanks for your encouragement, it means a lot. x
You took the first step! And the person writing the letter probably didn't even notice the Mrs.
Sorry it was rejected :( Yes everyone has to be politically correct and address women as MS.
Well, Glynis, I'm sorry about the rejection but woot on submitting! And...it almost sounds like a personal rejection, which is great!
I'm sorry about the title. Those confuse me and I don't even use them anymore.
Yes I did Alex, and I will take more! ;0 Thanks for dropping by today.
Loree, I just hate this politically correct business. Thanks for caring.
Jessica, yes I like the personal touch I received. I think it means there is hope. :) Thanks for visiting me, it means a lot.
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