A rejection from Random House the other day that must rate as one of the oddest little notes ever received. The editor just isn't that into me, apparently (everything is all about Sex & the City for me these days). Here's the quote: "Mondor is a nice writer. But I have to admit this subject matter just isn't my thing, ultimately."
Okay, now I know why there are so few aviation stories out there - it has to be your thing to get published.
I know - it makes sense that an editor who is not in love with a book pass on it, but how do you combat this? If someone isn't in to your subject, then you are just not going anywhere, period. I'm in "shake it off and keep moving" mode right now, but still oddly bugged by this. The book is still with several other pubs and Michele (wonder agent) is sending it off to others this week. We shall see what comes of that.
In other and better news, I received a very nice email from Dan Wickett letting me know that as a preliminary judge at the Storysouth Million Writers Award he has nominated my short story "Mercy Flight". Since Dan reads hundreds of short stories a year (really - and reviews a ton of them), I was thrilled that he saw fit to nominate one of mine. The nominations are now open to the public and I encourage everyone to get over there. It's a chance for online magazines to get a little exposure, and is a big boost to those of us who publish in them.
March 21
2007
07:56 AM
You can't combat an editor who isn't "into you" anymore than you can combat a date who feels the same way.
Just FWIW -- bugged the crap out of me, too, when editors said this about my work. One such editor and I got so far as a second date before she wasn't all that into me, which felt like she was saying that I just wasn't pretty enough.
Also FWIW -- much like real-world relationships, it will probably work out eventually. Mine did, at least, tho it took much longer than I'd expected. The trick is to just keep at it -- and it sounds like Michele (WA) is doing a great job.
My wonder agent Elizabeth doesn't tell me about the rejections. I'm sure she would if I asked. I just don't want to know, you know?