And for those caught in the crossfire, I’m sorry it went on so long over the weekend…

But so as not to stop the setting up of the critique groups and such, I’ll set up a post for that. Please keep on topic there, though.

Please, PLEASE don’t take form rejections to heart. It is impossible for editorial to respond personally to 540 submissions in addition to their regular workload.

To clarify: the suggestion to not rework that project doesn’t mean please don’t send us any more work. It means you are better off focusing on a new story. Remember it’s the story being rejected, and not you personally. And you may leave a long trail of unsold manuscripts in your wake before you get The Call. I know I did. Going back and trying to fix old mss would have only taken me longer in the end. Taking what you’ve learned and applying it to a new story is such a great idea. While some people sell their first or second story, many many more write for years and several stories before making it.

I have a file folder full of rejections that say, in essence, to move on and leave that story alone. In fact I have a lovely variety of form letters from over the years. Don’t let it discourage you.

FWIW

Donna

Mine didn’t fit M&B tastes either, so we’re all in the same punt!

Has anyone located the Url for Romance Angels Group?

Post it. Why not!

Daisychain: I liked your thoughts: “Just because you were not appropriate for them does not mean that you are not good enough to find a publisher elsewhere. We could give each other the words of encouragement need to continue despite this set back to our confidence.”

After also receiving an R from M&B two weeks ago for a partial I had sent, I’m now going to pursue a Chick Lit book that has been running around in my head for a year.

As for “daisychain” and the earlier description of it, it reminded me of my roommate’s boyfriend from college (which was many years ago). Whenever he would come to our room I would always find my stuffed animals left in a “chain” across my bed. LOL!

Group sounds great. I’ve emailed Christine at angels-of -romance. As I’m an Aussie you won’t get that till some time in the middle of the night i think.

The hardest part about submitting a piece of writing to a publisher is not getting feedback. M&B obviously can’t give feedback to over 500 entrants so giving it to each other sounds good.

Petronella, English is my first language but I still hate it when people critique my spelling rather than my writing. Know where you’re coming from there.

Amy – thanks again for these posts. It’s been good to talk and listen to everyone.

Catch

Keeping up morale is so important.

That said, posting chapters should not be about getting ‘ace comments’ or indepth critiques as such. It’s just a means of knowing what others like writing: style etc., and themes.

Well, I’m game. Eat me or bin me :0