Like everyone, I’ve had a lot of rejections. Usually form rejections. I brushed myself off and moved on. But none of them stung as badly as this one.
83 days— twenty three days over their posted “get back to you” deadline, all leading to a form rejection.
Rejection.
Wow. I was speechless. Took me a while to get over it. I mean, I understand that publishers are busy, but when they have had the manuscript so long that they probably read the whole thing, and maybe even had several people read it, and then getting a form rejection?????
Ouch.
I’d just love to know— was it good enough? Did they have two alien novels on their desk that were great, and someone flipped a coin? Do they have an explosion phobia? Do they not like the color purple? What was it?
It took me a full day to get over this. Once I did, I dusted myself off and started reading my novel from page one.
Picking myself up, and getting back to it.
You know what? I was amazed. After not reading my novel for several months, I found myself instantly engrossed, and stunned when I realized “Hey, I actually wrote this.”
I know why the publisher had it so long, now.
It’s good. Damn good.
I was probably rejected for one of those silly reasons you read about… like they already signed a sci-fi this month, or someone spilling their coffee or something.
My novel just needs to find the right person. Someone who loves the idea as much as I do.
I’m fine. I’ll get there. Patience has never been my strong suit. In the immortal words of Yoda “You must learn patience.”
There is still one more publisher on my “wish list” reading my baby. Maybe they are “the one”.
So I sit back, relax, and hunker down into my new novel.
This sucker ain’t gonna get written on its own.
Jennifer M Eaton 
When an agent/editor requests a full, the least they can do is provide specific reasons on why they’re passing. That’s just common courtesy and professionalism. But since I’ve already seen you’re later post, I know you’re feeling awfully good just now. 😉
Yep. I completely forgot about it. 🙂
Dang, sorry to hear it. Hope you’ll keep trying with different publishers.
Absolutely! Trucking on.
I bet that last one will be the one . . . just keep holdin on to faith–you’ll get there eventually! Your blog posts are awesome, so I’d bet your alien novel is too!
Well, bugger!
Nearly 3 months to get a form rejection letter! Sometimes these time delays make me want to rant. Wait times are a bit like the price of gas. Everyone says it’s the other guys fault. *restrains self from ranting further*
Anyway … god to hear you’ve bounced back! That’ll show ’em!
Also … ‘good’ to hear you’ve bounced back! 😀
It does seem rude that they kept you waiting three weeks beyond their notification time frame and didn’t include anything personal about your manuscript. Maybe they aren’t as awesome to work with as you imagined?
I’m glad you loved your novel after learning a publisher rejected it. It will find a home.
Meanwhile, you’re doing what all professional writers do – writing the next book. Go girl! You got this.
Sorry to hear that, Jennifer. I have another theory. If Yoda had read the manuscript he might have said (aside: correction to the above: “Learn patience, you must.” ):
“Hmm. Good, this is. Very good. Fluke this could be. Make Jennifer cocky, publishing could. Avoid we must. Hmm. Over time, carefully consider, we will.”
Months go buy…
“A decision we make. Difficult decision, however. Painful to make. No fluke Jennifer must prove. Reject manuscript, we shall. No reason we give. Realise on her own, Jennifer must. Another masterpiece Jennifer must write before acceptance shall be awarded. Only then will acceptance be truely appreciated.”
Oh, dear, that is really NOT ON! What a shame! Well done for being brave about it and not getting discouraged – one day your novel will find the right editor.
Sorry to hear this, Jennifer. I give you a lot of credit for getting over it in a day. The sting is an awful feeling. One of my rejections was written on the bottom of a synopsis…not even a form letter. “I’ll pass.” That was it. Ouch. I’d say don’t give up, but I know you aren’t. 🙂 Like you said, your manuscript didn’t get into the right hand. Write on…
A form rejection after all that time! Ugh. On the bright side, how many times did J.K. Rollings have her first book rejected? (12) Gone with the Wind? (38). Carrie by Stephen King? (30)
Sorry to hear the news. Rejection stinks, no doubt about it, especially when we don’t get any feedback as to why it was rejected. My manuscript is currently in an agent’s hand (on an exclusive basis), so I’ll be facing the possibility of rejection soon enough. And let’s face it, that possibility is high given the nature of this business. But like you, I’m throwing myself into my new novel. Writers are nothing if not resilient!