Talking with an extremely talented writer friend today, he said:
“Getting rejected started to feel okay on my end after a while. At first it was super painful, but eventually I came to see a whole other side to it as blessing, as part of the path.”
If you get a chance, listen to the bio on Steve Jobs on audiobook. In it, there’s a story about how the entire Apple Board of Directors wanted to trash the famous 1984 Super Bowl ad before it ran, unanimously saying it was the worst ad they’d ever seen. Jobs prevailed, the ad ran, and today it’s remembered arguably as the greatest advertisement in history.
What does this prove? No amount of rejection or naysaying about your big dream proves anything. To quote Steve: “There is no reason not to follow your heart.” Or, in full: ~ “Almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
As some of you know, I’ve been working round the clock, not only giving back-to-back retreats in Carmel (Monday is our last one until Feb. 20th—we’ve got one spot left, if you’re feeling froggy). I’ve just hired a new assistant to help me streamline, because I’m also putting the finishing touches on something I’m more excited about than perhaps anything else in years (other than my man!). It’s called: Your Big Beautiful Book Plan, my creation with my longtime buddy and client, Danielle LaPorte.
In writing a section about getting an agent today, we answered this question from an email…
Q: How long will it take to hear back [from an agent], once I’ve submitted my query letter?
A: Agents fall into the category of “overworked and overwhelmed,” sometimes receiving hundreds of submissions a month. Give them one to three months to reply, but know that it could take many more (with the chance you’ll never hear back). If you’ve received no word after three months, feel free to follow up with another letter or email. (We wouldn’t even call after two attempts, but if you’re set on it and particularly loveable or engaging—and can trust yourself to keep it short and professional—we won’t stop you.)
Next, I added a personal bit:
About a year ago, a woman working on a book about forgiveness came to my Carmel retreat. Her writing is stunning, her message timeless, and her platform strong and growing. After delving deeply into her material and editing her proposal, I felt that I had a full grasp of her topic and knew just the perfect agent to connect her with. I emailed him her query, and he requested to see the proposal, which we quickly sent off. But after three months, we hadn’t heard a thing. I wrote to him. She wrote to him. Still nothing. Nine months later, she got an email. “I hope you’ll forgive me,” he said. “But I was finally able to read your proposal on forgiveness and I’d love to represent you.” She called him to discuss the particulars, and then called me squealing. It was a match.
I love when this happens. Just this morning, after I’d written that very text, she emailed with a note from said agent saying that they have an offer! From a terrific publisher, I might add. The editor has already given invaluable feedback that’s got our client over-the-moon excited about next steps. Next week, they’ll begin hammering out the contract. Tonight, she celebrates.
Keep moving forward. Yet, never assume your ideas aren’t valid or you’re out of the running for something you really want. Old flames come back. Kids come back. Zits do too. But so do agents and editors. Even after rejecting writers, I’ve seen multiple agents, and one editor, change their minds and come back weeks or months later, only to end up representing or publishing them after all.
Hold to your dreams and convictions. Like Steve.
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Have a great week! And, standby for the launch of both Your Big Beautiful Book Plan, and my new website, BookMama, where birthing book babies is easier than the human kind! Ha!
Linda
xx
