Comments on: Why Gloating Doesn’t Work On Me

By: Tina Lynn

Tina Lynn — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:17:25 +0000

Wait…does that ACTUALLY happen? Wow.

By: janet

janet — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:18:57 +0000

I’m a teacher and I’ve had to read some pretty crazy e-mails, but I was still pretty shocked that somebody would actually send an e-mail like that to an agent. I’m starting to understand why J. D. Salinger became a recluse.

By: Michele Tennant

Michele Tennant — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:14:07 +0000

Hahahaha, I have a macab sense of humor. I can envision this Ms. B writer sending out this same letter to everyone who has ever rejected her. Then she gets the opportunity to participate in a workshop or conference, but no one wants to work with her because she was so rude. It would be awful to go to nationals in LA and have all the agents and editors give you the evil eye when you put your book out on the table to sell.

Sorry you have to deal with sore losers/winners sometimes.

By: christine tripp

christine tripp — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:17:42 +0000

>So I just don’t get it. Instead of celebrating the success of your project and your dreams coming true, why sit around and rub your book sale in other people’s faces?<

Very likely this author is NOT that happy with the agent she/he finally attracted, the publisher the agent found and the bucks are probably not all that “big”. Thus, the bitterness. I have often heard that an author (as with an illustrator) can have a “wish list” of agents, and most likely these lists are exhausted and they feel they have been forced to “settle” for a rep not on that list… and it’s YOUR fault because you said not for me!:)
If the author had found a truly wonderful agent, made a massive deal with a terrific publisher and was rolling in dough, would they really have the time or inclination to stick out their tongue at anyone who had taken a pass on their work along the authors climb up the ladder to fame and fortune? Nah, think not.

By: Conda V. Douglas

Conda V. Douglas — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:39:57 +0000

This sort of thing always baffles me. This is a business. It isn’t personal. An agent is doing a job. It’s all subjective. How many times have I read a book and loved it and then not liked the next from the same author? Or vice-versa? Many times.

Yes, we writers believe our babies are wonderful and rejection hurts–but the only words I remember are, “We are accepting…” Aren’t they the ones that matter? I’d rather spend my time writing something new.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:59:53 +0000

I just blogged about an agent event I attended in which one of the agents discussed rejecting Shiver and the other rejected Lisa McMann’s Wake. However, what they implied was that they wouldn’t be doing the author the best service if they weren’t passionate about their work. Different people have different tastes. That’s a wonderful thing as there are a variety of books out in the world.

It seems that type reaction implies they thought the rejection was personal rather than a business decision. Why would you want an agent who doesn’t love your work as much as you do? I’d rather get rejected a bunch if it led me to a great match in the end — okay, maybe not a bunch but you get the idea.

By: Sharon Mayhew

Sharon Mayhew — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:24:06 +0000

Mary,
I am so sorry you got an email like this. Obviously, she would not have been a dream client. So good job on passing on her ms. I’d be tempted to send her a congratulations card or email. Nothing mean, just a polite note wishing her good fortune in her future. Everything I’ve read about you indicates you are a lovely person. Stay true to yourself. I expect this author is probably not going to be good at public appearances or networking. Yesterday, I wrote on my blog about what you want people to remember about you when you are gone (really gone), perhaps she needs to read my post and evaluate herself.

By: June

June — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:30:43 +0000

I’m sure this woman got rejected from more than just you. I wonder if she sent this letter to all who rejected her. I’m fairly new to the world of writing and publishing, but I’ve discovered one thing that continues to surprise me: how much people’s ego is tied up in their writing.

I’ve observed that writing and seeking publication, makes a lot of people crazy. Many people seeking publication seem to have an overwhelming need for validation that frankly borders on the unhealthy.

I want to be published as much as anyone, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t mean I’m any less intelligent or unworthy as a person. I’m thankful for the good job I possess right now, especially in this economy. Life is good and I can’t complain. People need to get a clue about what’s really important in life. It’s not always about whether you become a published author, though if you do, be grateful and be gracious.

By: Diana Murray

Diana Murray — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:58:44 +0000

Sorry, I meant “Suzi” (not that Ms. Snarkypants deserves to have her first name spelled correctly).

By: Theresa Milstein

Theresa Milstein — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:28:02 +0000

Who has that kind of time to bother writing a letter? I figure that those people don’t sit on the impulse, but pen the letter almost as soon as the euphoria of the agent representation has waned or the ink on the publishing contract has just dried.

It’s petty and short-sighted.