Are rejections ever good?

This writing business is tough at times! You think you have the best idea out there, you spend large amounts of time to get the words written, you pass it off to your critique partners, and then after more time spent on it, you start submitting to agents or publishers. The magic response arrives. You're all nervous wondering if the day has come to take the next step in your career. Instead of the words you had hoped for, you get something like this:

Dear Author,

Our agency feels that your novel wouldn't fit our needs. This is a tough business, forcing us to send this form rejection letter.

So this isn't an exact rejection I've received but close enough. That didn't tell me anything, only crushed my spirits for a day (or three!) but I kept going anyway. The only way I would fail is if I gave up. Anyway, as you guys may know, I'm trying to snag an agent. The other day I received another rejection by a big New York agent that I'd had queried and it went something like this:

Dear Ms. Ely,

Thank you for thinking of our agency during your query process. I found the plot of your book very intriguing but don't feel as though I'd be the right agent to represent it. Keep looking and you'll find the right agent.

Sincerely,
Ms. Agent

Wow! That sort of rejection told me lots and gave me hope that I'm closer to getting an agent than I ever have been. For me, that is a good rejection!

If you are in the process of getting rejections, take a moment to see the difference in them. Do they tell you what's wrong with your book? Did the agent take the time to personalize the letter? Those things mean something. It's still a rejection but it's a good rejection.

Talk to you soon,
Wendy Ely

The Art of the Barfly

I just returned from a weekend long writer's conference in my hometown. One of the great things about conferences is that writers can network with big editors and agents and even meet their own editors face to face. You get to pick and choose which workshops you want to attend and chat it up with other authors.

Funny thing is, at events like this, I love being a barfly and listening to industry professionals gab about the latest trends, best sellers and *gasp*...pitches from starry eyed writers. Barfly is the appropriate word too, not because I'm as much a part of the scenery as the bar stools but because I become like a fly on the wall. After a long plane ride, tons of workshops and hours of pitches, editors and agents want to relax too. And what is it about this profession? Many of us enjoy a good cocktail...or two or three. This is a great time to either strike up a conversation...not a pitch....big no no...but schmoozing with some of New York's finest is a big perk at these events.

So, do I have your attention now? Do you want to know some of the trends I'm hearing right from the mouth of the holy, holy agents and editors? From the very mouths of the folks that sign us? Listen up.



Number 1, paranormal is not going anywhere. Yes, I've heard that the market is saturated too. I've heard editors and agents will puke if they have to read another tale about a shifter or a vamp or a dragon or a fairy. Wrong. Big myth. From what I heard last weekend, paranormal is strong and growing, especially in the YA market. And it's not slowing down in the adult market either. Now we have erotic vamps too. How sexy is that? We even have mermaids lusting over vikings. Not to worry...if you're a paranormal author, you're red hot right now.

Number 2, Want to know what industry professionals are hungry for right now more than ever? I did. And I don't write it either but you might. Write it down. High concept science fiction. And hold onto your seats folks....this is a genre considered dead right now by many...thought I never thought so...I know many, many readers that love it and I don't ever see it going away. Historicals. Keep writing those babies. What kind of historicals are agents and editors hungry for right now? Erotic regency. So if you're talented enough to write these..uh...I wrote one and the research nearly killed me...go for it.

Number 3, Want to know what editors and agents are sick to death of seeing land in their inbox and pitch sessions? Sexy cops. Men in uniform. The industry is truly sick of the detective, fireman, policeman that comes to the lady's rescue. It's a tired old plot. From what I hear, don't even try it.

So, to recap...Paranormal is here to stay for Adult and YA. High concept SF is gaining steam and the NY elite are slobbering for ultra sexy historicals, especially regency. And no cops, detectives or men in uniform. Boring, boring, boring.



So, you see, there are more benefits to drinking red wine. Become a barfly like me at your next writer's conference. You won't be sorry.