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Got my first rejection letter, woohoo!

A detailed account of a Fastlane process...

Roli

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I started a progress thread on the inside about self publishing my books, however I simply can't afford to do it properly, in fact I can't even afford an INSIDERS subscription at the moment. So rather than wait an indefinite amount of time, I decided to try and get a book deal, which in a lot of ways is much better. The problem with self publishing is it's hard to tell if you're any good or not, sure, I think my writing is great, but will anyone else?

Well this is the perfect way to test it, send it off to a bunch of strangers and see what they say about it...

The great American novelist Stephen King, in his book; On Writing, describes how there are three types of rejection letter:

1. Thanks but no thanks.

2. Thanks but no thanks, however here's some feedback.

3. Thanks but no thanks, however here's some feedback and suggestions.

I have just got type number 2, which is great, because apparently next comes type number 3 and then comes a deal. However to get to that deal, you need plenty of number 2s, and 3s.

The biggest challenge is finding the right type of publisher/agent, I'm going to try and find at least another five today, I want to hit relevant publishers with books similar to mine, in order to give myself the highest chance of success.

Anyway, my first rejection letter was a number 2, got some great feedback, and it has given me a boost that somebody else actually thinks my writing is good. So whilst the best thing would have been for them to say yes, I'm still happy with the reply. Onward and upwards!

--

"Many thanks for your email telling me about your book. The idea is an appealing one and I found your writing entertaining and distinctive. However, I am sorry to say it doesn’t seem like a good fit for our list at present.

I wish you all the best with your work.


With kind wishes"
 
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Madame Peccato

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Why aren't you going for Kindle publishing? Any specific reason?
 

Roli

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Why aren't you going for Kindle publishing? Any specific reason?

You mean, why aren't I publishing it myself on Kindle?

Simple answer, cost.

It's easy to put out a crappy book on Kindle, however I want to put one out that has a chance of selling. For that I need, decent artwork, and a book that's been edited by someone else other than myself.

Then of course if I want anyone to actually buy the thing, there is a cost to marketing it. I've burned through all my savings on my other fastlane ventures, and so I have zero budget to do all of the above.

Plus, like I said in my OP, maybe I'm a terrible writer. I'd rather find that out in the cheapest way possible :)
 

Isaunders

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I started a progress thread on the inside about self publishing my books, however I simply can't afford to do it properly, in fact I can't even afford an INSIDERS subscription at the moment. So rather than wait an indefinite amount of time, I decided to try and get a book deal, which in a lot of ways is much better. The problem with self publishing is it's hard to tell if you're any good or not, sure, I think my writing is great, but will anyone else?

Well this is the perfect way to test it, send it off to a bunch of strangers and see what they say about it...

The great American novelist Stephen King, in his book; On Writing, describes how there are three types of rejection letter:

1. Thanks but no thanks.

2. Thanks but no thanks, however here's some feedback.

3. Thanks but no thanks, however here's some feedback and suggestions.

I have just got type number 2, which is great, because apparently next comes type number 3 and then comes a deal. However to get to that deal, you need plenty of number 2s, and 3s.

The biggest challenge is finding the right type of publisher/agent, I'm going to try and find at least another five today, I want to hit relevant publishers with books similar to mine, in order to give myself the highest chance of success.

Anyway, my first rejection letter was a number 2, got some great feedback, and it has given me a boost that somebody else actually thinks my writing is good. So whilst the best thing would have been for them to say yes, I'm still happy with the reply. Onward and upwards!

--

"Many thanks for your email telling me about your book. The idea is an appealing one and I found your writing entertaining and distinctive. However, I am sorry to say it doesn’t seem like a good fit for our list at present.

I wish you all the best with your work.


With kind wishes"
Sounds like you are one step closer to succeeding! Congratulations! Save the rejection letter. You can pin it to your wall and give it a good look whenever you need some motivation.
 
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Stargazer

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Dear Moses

Whilst enjoying your 'Ten Rules For The Modern Man' I feel a few adjectives and adverbs would make it more interesting for our current audience so regrettably will not be offering you a publishing deal at this moment.

I wish you success in the future.

Egyptian God

PS: You might want to work on the title, sounds a a bit wishy-washy.

Dear Jesus

Samaritan? The good guy?

Not for us. Good Luck anyway.

Temple Publishing
 

MJ DeMarco

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Simple answer, cost.

Huh?

You can't come up with a couple hundred bucks?

Hire an editor. (Couple hundred bucks.)
Download Kindle Create. (Free)
Import the book. (Free)
Hire an Upworker to do a cover for a few hundred dollars.

Not sure how you think publishing a book cost $1000s.

I can launch a book on Kindle for ZERO cost.

Heck, send me your manuscript and I'll consider publishing it.
 

Roli

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Huh?

You can't come up with a couple hundred bucks?

Hire an editor. (Couple hundred bucks.)
Download Kindle Create. (Free)
Import the book. (Free)
Hire an Upworker to do a cover for a few hundred dollars.

Not sure how you think publishing a book cost $1000s.

I can launch a book on Kindle for ZERO cost.

Heck, send me your manuscript and I'll consider publishing it.

Price I got quoted for an editor was about £500-£1000

I didn't know about the Kindle create

The artist as you correctly state will cost me a few hundred.

But then what about marketing it? Doesn't that cost?

Anyway, I'm at rock bottom at the moment. Even if I get an editor for a better price, I'm rather sad to say that I can't afford it. Quite a few things have gone wrong for me in the past few months. So rather than brood around, I decided to at least try and get something positive going.

If you're not joking, I'd be honoured for you to consider my manuscript. Even if it's not your cup of tea, I'd love a critical appraisal.
 
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w1zman

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Love the attitude! every shortcoming is another step closer to succeeding
 

MJ DeMarco

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Price I got quoted for an editor was about £500-£1000

I didn't know about the Kindle create

The artist as you correctly state will cost me a few hundred.

But then what about marketing it? Doesn't that cost?

Anyway, I'm at rock bottom at the moment. Even if I get an editor for a better price, I'm rather sad to say that I can't afford it. Quite a few things have gone wrong for me in the past few months. So rather than brood around, I decided to at least try and get something positive going.

If you're not joking, I'd be honoured for you to consider my manuscript. Even if it's not your cup of tea, I'd love a critical appraisal.

Send it my way, use forum contact link to send me your email address.

Please be advised though, I probably won't be able to take a look until after The Summit.
 

Roli

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Send it my way, use forum contact link to send me your email address.

Please be advised though, I probably won't be able to take a look until after The Summit.


Thanks MJ, no problem on the time!

Although, related to another thread of mine, my hijacked email address is still linked to this account, so I don't think I can send forum contact messages as it will try to send it via a domain I no longer control.

Instead I could pass my details onto to @Andy Black and he can forward if that's okay.
 
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peterb0yd

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Hey @Roli, I just came across your other thread and now seeing your most recent updates here. Congrats on finishing the book. How's everything going?
 

Einfamilienhaus

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Plus, like I said in my OP, maybe I'm a terrible writer. I'd rather find that out in the cheapest way possible

Writing and finding your love have some great similarity. No matter how terrible you are, if you try it oftentimes, you will always find someone who will find you (or in this case your writing) at least quite good. You just haven't found those people yet.

Why dont you give some chapters for free in this forum for the readers who could be interested. In exchange for an honest feedback?
 

sparechange

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dam so did mj publish it?

talk about a helping hand!
 
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