Comments on: Why Are Great Projects Rejected?

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:33:20 +0000

Hey Rachel, I tweeted this post today and it’s getting lots of retweets so you should be getting some hits. Great article!

By: Bob Mayer

Bob Mayer — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:07:31 +0000

It also says that agents and editors screw up as much as writers. I see so many posts bewailing the queries agents get. We need as many pointing out that rejection from an agent could be a huge mistake on the agent’s part. I sit on both sides of the fence as an author and a publisher. Most times I reject it’s because the project just doesn’t fit our line, not because it’s flawed.

By: Bill Giovannetti

Bill Giovannetti — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:55:05 +0000

Wow… this tells me how little “science” and how much “art” there is in publishing. I wonder, do editors kick themselves in the rear end when a project they pitched because a best seller? Or is that something that just goes with the territory?

I’m glad I’m not the one making those calls!

By: Ed Hird

Ed Hird — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:25:46 +0000

Rachel,

Once again this article shows great wisdom. We need to be very realistic without being negative or cynical.

Blessings, Ed Hird+

By: James Andrew Wilson

James Andrew Wilson — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:59:03 +0000

Morgan,

Uh oh. Too late.

By: Morgan Busse

Morgan Busse — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:22:11 +0000

James, just make sure it goes in the trash and not the paper shredder! (taping all those pieces back together will take your wife a long long time… lol).

On a more serious note, I think some rejections come because it is not God’s timing for my book. As I have written over the years and God has changed my heart, I have come to see that God is a part of this processes too. And that his time may not be my time.

And *gulp* perhaps the reason I wrote this book was for me and me alone. I know my own story has shown me what the gospel is really about and given me courage to share the gospel with others. If that is all I take away from writing this book, then I can live with that.

By: James Andrew Wilson

James Andrew Wilson — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:51:03 +0000

You know it’s funny, but we use the back side of my printed manuscripts as drawing paper for our kids. So on one side there will be page one of chapter 65 of my latest novel, and on the other side there will be Star Wars spaceships and giant man-eating worms. I have boys. Can you tell?

By: sally apokedak

sally apokedak — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:53:50 +0000

Yes, I feel much better, thanks.

By: Rachel Zurakowski

Rachel Zurakowski — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:20:10 +0000

James, just be sure to let your wife know you tossed it. I know you can count on her to rescue it!

By: Rachel Zurakowski

Rachel Zurakowski — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:18:11 +0000

Lyn, thanks for the information about Grisham’s book! I had no idea.

It’s very hard to predict what would happen if an author started with a small house. I’m sure there are authors out there who started small and because the book did decently they were able to get contracts with bigger houses later. But on the other hand a book can flop pretty easily if the small house doesn’t have the marketing dollars to put behind the book or the distribution avenues necessary for the success of the project. If the book flops it can really hurt an author’s chances of getting a contract in the future with any publishing house. I guess the choice to go with a small house depends a lot on the project, the publishing house, and the circumstances leading up to the decision.