I haven’t been devoting much time to the blog lately due to the final developmental stages on the book. But this I had to share:
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your query, and I apologize for the delay in response. I have reviewed the work, and decided to pass at this time. I wish you the best of luck, and success in the publishing world.
The delay was over two months for an emailed query. Two months. In that time, I’ve gotten a beta reader to read the book (she liked it), I’ve made another round of edits, and I got an artist to do the cover (currently awaiting final painted copy). I had completely forgotten about the query, so I was a bit surprised to find it in my email this morning. This, above all else, is why I support e-publishing. Not because I can’t handle rejection – but because I have better things to do than wait for someone to get around to rejecting me. I’d much rather that rejection come in the form of no sales, because at least then there’s the potential to turn a profit, and maybe even convert some readers into fans along the way.
Speaking of time management, I truly don’t know how some of you can write a book and maintain a blog at the same time. As I enter into the beginning phase of my next project, I’m likely going to limit posts from one to two a week. I don’t dare risk spoiling my creativity on a blog post when it would be much better spent on the page. Sometimes, I miss being a lonely writer cut off from the world. I’m not ungrateful, mind you. But when I first started TDDC, my mantra was to stop talking and start writing. Barring some tweaks, I might have to revisit that statement for the next book:
It’s time to stop tweeting, blogging, commenting, and start writing.
What we have to do to be ‘authors’ these days is very time consuming. It gets crazier and crazier.
Rejection is a badge of honor. Wear it with pride.
A badge of honor? I love that
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Debra Morrison, Sandy Talbot. Sandy Talbot said: Rejection and Time Management « Café Lopez http://bit.ly/addJuS [...]
I think as long as you unplug yourself and get the writing done, it doesn’t matter what you do with the rest of your time.
I’m a big multitasker, which could be good or incredibly bad. But I do know that when writing, it’s better to focus simply on the writing. The occasional pause is acceptable, but too much pause, too much email checking, tweeting, and whatever else and no writing gets done. It just matters what works for you, and if no internet works for you, do it. 
I know that once I get back in school, I’ll probably be a ghost! But I’ll make sure I’m still writing.
As to wasting time on rejections… that does seem stupid. Traditional publishing is built on the query & rejection method of things, with the occasional acceptance thrown in for the sellable few. Whether that one editor liked it or not, I think you’ll sell. Might as well do it yourself!
Besides, you’ve got my word of mouth.
And that’ll get you even more. Oh, and a two month delay for that email. That makes it even stupider.
Your publicity alone is a force to be reckoned with!
Soldiers, when scarred from wounds recieved in battle, call them, “BATTLE SCARS”!And right now, you’re in a battle for your life, but I predict you’re gonna make it. know why?
Because I’ve never known you to give-up on ANYTHING! And if you’re anything like me-you never will.
You’ve got a IRON CLAD “will” to survive, and because of it, you will win in the end. I have no doubt about it. You might have to take a couiple more battle scars, but you’re WILL and DESIRE-will make it happen. It’s just a matter of time.
After reading this comment I feel compelled to yell…
“THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!”
Thanks, Dad.
THAT’S MY BOY!!!! GO GET ‘EM!!!!
yo, Lopez. Congratulations on your rejection…and putting your work out there! I haven’t taken that step yet because I’m not ready. I have a long way to go before I’ve got something good enough to send to an agent or publisher (or self-publish).
One of the things I find inspiring about you is your commitment to your book and your belief in the story. That’s invaluable. It’s something I need to build in my own writing. And as far as your new project…trust your instincts. I’ve had to unplug, a lot, from social networking. Write on!
Sarah! Always great to hear from you. Thanks for the kind words, & you can be sure that I’ll be following your advice. Love the new pic btw
Hi there. I have been following your blog for a short while and I think it is excellent. It is one of the reasons I get out of bed in the morning. Well…that is a bit of an exaggeration…but your blog is excellent.
I have selected you to be one of my fifteen recipients of the Versatile Blogger Award.
Shoot on over here http://www.chalkboarddad.com/2010/07/award-to-hang-on-my-fridge.html to check it out.
I continue to look forward to reading you.
-Brian
I feel you, dude. I can’t keep up. I know blogging/reading blogs is what needs to give but there is so much more instant gratification with this stuff than their is with my writing and my consulting work.
[...] Last week, I posted a reply from an agent who had declined my book. This morning I got another reply from the same agent, declining the same book a second time (I sent two requests months apart due to his initial failure to respond). The error suggests that he is so swamped in queries, that he (or his secretary) was unable to recognize a duplicate query. So again, should I let my success be determined by overworked agents and an industry increasingly hostile to entrepreneurial authors? [...]
Amen! I’ve been down that road and shared your frustration with rejection.
And also…hate myself many a morning when I’m blogging and facebooking and tweeting when I know I should. be. writing!