Sunday 16 May 2010

The Barren Fields of Rejection

Rejection is a rare word around these parts lately... And that's not a boastful statement, more a testament to the fact I have almost nothing out there. Gasp! I did, however, receive two rejections last week from a couple of long-haulers (14 months - novel and almost 12 months - short story), and I believe the editor of the below knows me better than he should. I quote:

We enjoyed this immensly (sic) but it's nor (sic) strictly spec fic, more the meanderings off (sic) a deranged mind, so we're going to pass.

Ha! It was of course...I think...I hope referring to the story, but it did make me smile, nod my head and mutter, 'How true.' :D It's always good when a rejection makes you smile.

The barren fields of my current submissions look something like this:

Four short stories out, waiting 187, 161, 101 and 23 days.

I so need a kick up the proverbial. Form an orderly queue.

28 comments:

Mary Rajotte said...

I'll kick you if you kick me. I've only got 1 out there :(

Shadow said...

You are doing better than I am this week. I have nothing out there. I will try to fix this very soon.

Good luck Cate.

Aaron Polson said...

Of course, with that many (sic)s in there, maybe you're better off. ;)

Get on the short story treadmill, Cate. I'll join you later this week after I put my 15K project to bed.

Amanda C. Davis said...

Oh my gosh, I'm so with you right now.

Cate Gardner said...

Mary, it's a deal.

You too, Sarah.

Aaron, they are a fabulous publication, I'm guessing the letter was rushed. It happens to the best of us. Good luck with the 15k project.

Amanda, we're so bad.

Jameson T. Caine said...

I've sent out three or four pieces this entire year. If you need a kick then I need a complete thrashing.

Cate Gardner said...

Maybe we could hurl things at each other until we get some work done.

Steven Pirie said...

So many sics are a symptom of the age of easy of communication. Send-button-too-soon syndrome, I call it.

Or it could be your deranged mind has somehow deranged said Editor's mind, and he or she has taken to talking gibberish.

Or maybe said Editor really is an illiterate oaf (I've already called the Totems slush monkeys this week, so I'm going for the set :-)

Still, 14 and 12 months is painful...

Cate Gardner said...

Steven, I'll opt for number one, though it is my aim to derange many minds.

Rich said...

Yep, four is more than zero.

I have a couple near completion, but otherwise my inbox is a sorry place!

Rich

K.C. Shaw said...

That editor looks like he/she was typing with his/her elbow.

I bet your next response will be an excited "yes, please!" From an editor who can type.

Corinne said...

Best. Rejection. Ever.

And really, I bet you've got a lot more out right now than most. I mean, me? I've got one story out right now, and zero WIPs even close to being finished. So I applaud your productivity!

Andrea Allison said...

I don't think I've ever smiled after getting a rejection. At least there's I hope I will someday. Good luck!

Katey said...

What Aaron said.

I hardly have anything out there either. I had a little spree at the beginning of the year-- but all those were things I'd written last year and finally felt confident enough to send out. Now I only have two...

Better get to polishing, hadn't we?

Danielle Birch said...

I had a rejection last week for a story I submitted somewhere around the middle of last year. Must send out some more.

BT said...

Four! Is that all?

I'm currently down to nada. I have six now waiting to be revised before resending but no enthusiasm to do it.

But...

Dark Pages launched today! Woohoo.

Ahem - sorry. Normal programming will resume shortly...

Fox Lee said...

Sane minds have no business writing horror ; )

Jamie Eyberg said...

Soon your short story cup will overflow again, and what Natalie said. :)

Barry Napier said...

I spent most of last year with those sorts of numbers. I'm sure you'll bounce back swiftly.

Cate Gardner said...

Rich, and yet I keep checking my inbox and wondering why there's nothing in it. :(

Kate, they don't have to be able to type. I'll accept a yes from non-typists too. :D

Cory, what about Fae Print?

Andrea, the day will come.

Katey, I bought some Pledge on the way home and intend to polish this weekend.

Danielle, get to it.

Congrats, BT.

Natalie, as always you say the perfect thing.

Jamie, I want a short story vase not a piddling cup. :D

Barry, probably not, but that's okay. :D

Anthony Rapino said...

Ha, nice rejection. And you're so right, the ones that make you smile are the best.

And dang, those are some long waits. I have a couple long-haulers out there too. Boy do I hate to wait.

Good luck on the current subs, and get more out there! :-)

Kara McElhinny said...

Good luck with your queries Cate, don't worry much for the not having things out, you'll get it out. Down time is allowed even for an amazing writer-lady like yerself.

Tyhitia Green said...

Don't feel badly. You're doing better than me. I only have one story out right now. :-D

I need to get back on the ball myself. We'll check in to ask about each other's progress? :-D

Cate Gardner said...

Thanks, Anthony

Don't give me excuses, Kara :D

Tythia, I'm amazed at how many of us need our butts kicking.

Carrie Harris said...

Can I join the circle of butt kickery too? I needs it. I don't even have any smiley rejections lately.

Bad Carrie. No biscuit.

Cate Gardner said...

You're always welcome.

Unknown said...

I thought deranged minds meandering was a requirement for this kind of work.

Cate Gardner said...

If it isn't, I'm in trouble.