Beaten by the Carrot
A writer friend asked me how submissions were going on my next novel. I told her it was a mixed bag. A few rejections...some requests for fulls and partials.
Requests for more is always a great thing.
They give you hope that you don't suck. That maybe someone who knows a clause from a cluster sees something worthwhile in your work and all the cellulite you've accumulated on your arse won't be for nothing.
My writer friend agreed-- getting requests for more is definitely the carrot in the process.
And that leads me to today's shout out to my insecurity for the month...
A rejection after a request is like being beaten by the carrot. Sure, sure, it's good that you're getting nibbles, but let's be honest-- it still bites not to land the fish.
So, just for IWSG, I shall lament and wail...
Screw you, big press! My character most certainly is sympathetic; she just isn't a pushover.
There. I'm over it. I'm off to check my inbox to see if there are any happy carrots or more stick wielders.
Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and this month's Co-Hosts:
Tamara Narayan
Patsy Collins
M.J. Fifield
Nicohle Christopherson`
Dark Winds Rising is Mark Noce's sequel to his debut novel Between Two Fires, and comes out with St. Martin’s Press December 5th 2017! Today is his cover reveal for the next book in his historical fiction series set in medieval Wales.
Screw you, big press! My character most certainly is sympathetic; she just isn't a pushover.
There. I'm over it. I'm off to check my inbox to see if there are any happy carrots or more stick wielders.
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OPTIONAL March IWSG Day Question: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?
Not yet. But I save everything. You never know what out of what pile of crap a juicy peach might grow. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and this month's Co-Hosts:
Tamara Narayan
Patsy Collins
M.J. Fifield
Nicohle Christopherson`
Dark Winds Rising is Mark Noce's sequel to his debut novel Between Two Fires, and comes out with St. Martin’s Press December 5th 2017! Today is his cover reveal for the next book in his historical fiction series set in medieval Wales.
Dark Winds Rising (synopsis)
Queen Branwen finds her world once again turned upside
down as Pictish raiders harry the shores of her kingdom. Rallying her people
once more, she must face her most dangerous foe yet, the Queen of the Picts.
Ruthless and cunning, the Pictish Queen turns the Welsh against each other in a
bloody civil war, and Branwen must attempt to stop her before her country
threatens to tear itself apart. All the while Branwen is heavy with child, and
finds her young son’s footsteps dogged by a mysterious assassin. Branwen must
somehow defeat the Picts and save her people before the Pictish Queen and a
mysterious assassin threaten to destroy their lives from the inside out.
About the Author
Mark Noce writes historical fiction with a passion, and eagerly reads everything from fantasy to literature. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he’s an avid traveler and backpacker, particularly in Europe and North America. He earned his BA and MA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he also met his beautiful wife. By day, he works as a Technical Writer, having spent much of his career at places like Google and Facebook. When not reading or writing, he’s probably listening to U2, sailing his dad’s boat, or gardening with his family.
Dark Winds Rising is his second novel in a historical series published by St. Martin’s Press. His debut novel, Between Two Fires, (also published via St. Martin's Press) is available wherever books are sold. Learn more at marknoce.com or connect via his newsletter or blog.
Awesome cover, Mark!
ReplyDeleteScrew you big press - you tell them, Elizabeth.
Thanks, Alex! :)
DeleteYeah! Well, unless they want to cut me a check, well then I'm their gal. LOL
DeleteWell I suppose getting beat with a carrot beats the stick, at least you can eat the carrot and then no more beating. Hopefully the requests pan on out even more.
ReplyDeleteYes, the carrots do give you fuel to keep going.
DeleteKeep on going, Elizabeth! That carrot better watch out. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I do know how to make a salad!
DeleteI've had a couple of rejections after requests for fulls - I allow myself to shout at my laptop when that happens, it makes me feel a lot better :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how good a shout out feels at times.
DeleteNot sympathetic enough! How dare they! LOL
ReplyDeleteLove the rant!
Congratulations, Mark!
Thanks, Yolanda! :)
DeleteI know, right? She is a pretty strong character.
DeleteI love that cover. Congrats, Mark!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the carrots to the fullest before they turn to beat you down. :) Good luck!
Thanks so much:) Glad you like it!
DeleteIt's the pattern of no news being good news. :)
DeleteI love your curt honest confession. Lol. Yes, carrots are terrible weapons. I wish you luck Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteThanks Erika!
DeleteLame big publisher. I'm right with you. They're idiots if they can't see the merit in the work. ;) Here's to beating them back with their own carrot!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, because it's never my failing. LOL. Truthfully, it is awesome to get feedback. I will chalk it up to more education.
DeleteOh, Elizabeth, I feel with you. I am now in the process of sending out submissions for my short stories as I finish up my manuscript. Keep submitting. Don't give up.
ReplyDeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat
I won't give up, Pat. It's more of an addiction at this point.
DeleteSubmissions are tough, but rant all you want. Now I'm thinking bunnies from the carrot... chocolate bunnies. Chocolate is acceptable for lunch, right? Keep on pushing on. :)
ReplyDeleteChocolate. Wise woman. You always have the perfect solutions.
DeleteThanks for showing off my cover today, Elizabeth! And might I just add that any place that's lucky enough to publish you should thank their lucky stars. For anybody else, it's their loss:)
ReplyDeleteSpoken like a true friend. Thanks, Mark. And congratulations on your new book!
DeleteFeel your pain, Elizabeth. I've been beaten my those carrots too! We just got to keep on keeping on. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThat is what we do. :)
Deletelove a women that loves her carrot😊
DeleteWhile I have yet to have the pleasure of a rejection, I read somewhere once that you should hold those rejection notices high like awards. It means that someone read your work. Even if they decided it wasn't for them, it meant someone read it with intent. There really is nothing better than that, is there?
ReplyDeleteWell, a contract is the best, but you're totally right. Just getting someone to read it and send feedback is like finding a nugget of gold.
DeleteGreat covers!
ReplyDeleteYes, it hurts to get those rejections on fulls but hang in there. It only takes one yes. Do you query presses directly, without an agent? I've been thinking of shopping my MS around.
I found my small publisher querying on my own. For this book, Sharon Belcastro is the agent doing the submissions. I must say, it's nice having a rejections come through her...she wraps them in velvet gloves and they hurt a little less.
DeleteCongratulations to Mark. A brilliant cover.
ReplyDeleteI think you are awesome Elizabeth. The querying process is tough. But you still have the fighting spirit. Go You!
Hugs Murees! I think you're awesome too!
DeleteSorry about the reject, but getting a request for more is quite a nice compliment.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Mark on his second super cover!
I suppose it shows I am on the right track with something.
DeleteIt just takes that one right person to read your book, 'get it' & fight for you! Best of luck; chin up!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Thanks Jamie!!
DeleteIt just takes that one right person to read your book, 'get it' & fight for you! Best of luck; chin up!
ReplyDeleteThat was always the bit that sucked the most when I was trying to get traditionally published, which is why I loved it when I was able to self publish! I haven't bothered trying again!
ReplyDeleteI love Mark's book cover - gorgeous!!
Suzy xx
www.suzyturner.com
I love self-publishing and the freedom of it, but I've had to be honest with myself-- as a business person, I suck. I like input. I like direction. People like you make it look so easy to self-pub and so an amazing job at it, then people like me try it and I'm overwhelmed by all the moving parts!
DeleteBig presses are stupid. They only want female characters who delight in being tossed into the dungeon by their lovers. Hm, maybe an autobiography? Nah, let's stick with empowered women. Keep on keeping on, my friend.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Mark. Looks really nice. I like the cover.
You're way too strong, my friend. I'd be more inclined to believe you are keeping man-treats in a dungeon than you ever being tossed in a dungeon.
DeleteIf a publisher is gonna dangle something enticing in front of us, the least they could do is make it a chocolate bar. Nothing against carrots, but come on! They need to get with the program. Maybe a nice bottle of wine... something to help ease the pain of waiting. Hang in there. Grab your own chocolate bar and glass of wine, and stand up tall. (For a minute. Then you can crash on the sofa.) It'll happen. Soon.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Mark. That cover is gorgeous!
You're always the wisest lady. Chocolate and wine is the best answer for a whine. No worries about me quitting. Mt word addiction is as strong as ever.
DeleteGreat cover. I do wish your nibbles would turn into a basketful of carrots Liz, I loved the story and I am sure I wouldn't be alone if it only could get out there.
ReplyDeleteAnd your opinion means everything, since I know you're a smart lady with great taste!
DeleteYes, sometimes the compost pile yields some good potatoes (maybe peaches, too).
ReplyDeleteI think you earned the right to wail. I'm so sorry that the carrot turned ugly.
Hope that all is much, much better in March!!!
Yes, compost can be the start of many delicious things.
DeleteKeep at it, Liz! Something will come from all those nibbles, I promise. Although, those rejections sure can be tough! Shoot me an email if you ever want to talk! I'll be heading into the query trenches soon with a novel I'm currently revising. Not looking forward to it! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI will have to bug you. We haven't chatted in forever. But I know you're busy launching and getting your book out all over, so yay you!!!
DeleteMy most painful rejection was after a review and revision and review again. But then again, the revision the agent lead me through did a lot for the book. It's still not published though. My character wasn't sympathetic enough either.
ReplyDeleteWhat do we have to do? Kill off their pets? Have them climb a tree for a feral cat on page one?
DeleteBut I get it. I realize they can't take every book and there are a lot of books out there. I think of this every time I go into a book store. I will look over all the books with many catching my eye, but I only walk out with one. When I look at it like that. it hurts a lot less.