Rejection Fatigue is Real
- By: Jessica Faust | Date: Sep 18 2017
Lately, I’ve had rejection fatigue, not because I’m getting rejected, but because I’m doing the rejecting. I’m hungry for something new. In the same way you go to the bookstore in search of a new author, I go to my Query Manager inbox in search of a new client. Each time I open QM I open it with a sense of optimism and enthusiasm. Maybe today will be the day I find that submission I can’t put down.
Believe it or not, agents want to offer on your book as much as you want them to offer. With each submission we request we have hope that it will be the one. Those of us who are open to submissions are in search of new talent and while we love the hunt, we love the find even more.
So next time you’re feeling discouraged and hating on the industry try to remember that it’s not personal and, in fact, many times the rejections we send are as painful for us as they are for you. So often we read that query and talk about it with each other. We can’t wait to read the manuscript and we hope and pray it’s everything we want it to be. When it’s not we too feel crushing disappointment.
Didn’t realise agents get rejection fatigue, too! You have my sympathies. One of my books has had two ‘close call ‘ full mss rejections even after I complied with their (different! ) suggestions. And I am beyond dejection, now
This was so lovely to read. It has inspired me to keep working on my manuscript and to keep sending it out.
[…] And finally, I do think it is very important to remember that there is a living human being on the other end of your query letter, most likely an intelligent and experienced one. I have gotten a few rejections lately. Sure, each one is a little swipe at the ego but they’ve also been professional and most of them have been personalized and encouraging. Although it feels like a gut-punch when you get one, don’t get all self-righteous and offended by a rejection. And don’t get discouraged! It’s not personal. It happens to everyone! Learn from the rejection. Make yourself and your work better. I also encourage you to seek out the blogs of the agents who commonly represent your genre. There are many wonderfully prolific agent bloggers to be found. They feel your pain too. Rejection fatigue is real and writers aren’t the only ones who have t… […]
I have to confess, I didn’t think agents would get rejection fatigue. Fascinating insight into how much you guys invest yourselves in what you do. So next time I receive a rejection I’ll console myself with the knowledge the rejection pain is shared. Meanwhile I’ll tap away oh so hoping mine won’t render “crushing disappointment” when read o_0