Rejection

I have to laugh at the irony going on here. I’m a person who grew up with an abandonment complex. I have seeds planted in my soul that sprout carnivorous tendrils when watered with what looks anything like a potion of rejection. It’s been my habit to react in over exaggerated defense. Behaviors ingrained in my very cells want to jump out and trash these ‘Literary’ agencies that find the manuscript unfit for their particular passions. But damn if they don’t end in positive and encouraging words that scrape me back up off the hot concrete that I imagine my body thrown down on to have a good, long tantrum.

Examples:

     “Unfortunately, we’re going to pass. We try to choose books that we feel passionate about and are aware that many fine manuscripts must be regretfully declined.”

     Scrawled across the top of our query letter, “Thanks but we’ll pass.” That was it!

     “Unfortunately, we don’t feel we are the right agency for your project and so are passing. We are a small agency and need to be passionate about every project we represent. We wish you all the best of luck in finding a home for your work.”

     “Not a good fit…”

    “…we have decided to pass. Of course this is only one response, and tastes vary widely among agents. We wish you the best of luck finding the right home for your work.”

So, I’m just a seed planted in a garden. Even though it is starting to feel like a corporate farm I’ll stay focused on the little plot of earth that is mine and make sure the seed isn’t a mutated Venus Fly Trap but perhaps a sunflower, keeping in mind the goal of sharing hundreds of seeds with the world, one kernel at a time.

Plant a garden…

Kathy

Comments

[Shelley Stork]

Kathy, I am in love with your journal entries and I have this profound faith that the there is a very special company out there that will be able to appreciate and grasp the complexity of you and your father's amazing message. Obviously the companies that have responded to you thus far are either not the right fit or of very "small minds" (lol). Keep the faith and keep planting those seeds. xoxoxoss

[Sarah Alexander]

Thank you for the beautiful metaphor...I love your focus and your willingness to see these 'rejections' as opportunities not lost, but one's that weren't meant to be. Your are inspirational and I look forward to watching the first green come out of the ground and the petals unfold....

[Beverly Jacobson]

I too get the sense through adversity comes opportunity. I appreciate the chance to follow you in this manner.

[Betsy Edwards]

Kathy-

You are sending it out into the world... and that is more than most accomplish in a lifetime. Sending out writing develops a bit of an ebb and a flow pattern in these very interesting times. Do what you can when you can- Keep your faith and sense of humor and "let 'er rip!" Love the blog- Congrats! Betsy