Monday, March 29, 2010

Stings less than a sweat bee

Bell-Men got its first rejection today, from Pyr. That didn't surprise me, but the letter itself did. It was a very nice personalized rejection that read in part: "It was very well-written, but unfortunately not quite right for Pyr. You have an engaging voice. I enjoyed reading Bell-men; it is one of the few manuscripts I have read in its entirety." That took the sting out of the reject for sure.

I decided to go ahead and start querying agents aggressively. That's what I've been doing for the last couple of hours. I just sent out 19 queries, in fact. Now I just sit back and let the rejections roll in.

9 comments:

Aaron Polson said...

Well...for a rejection, that is pretty nice. Go for it--nothing to lose and I need to go to my local bookstore and pick up Bell-Men.

Danielle Birch said...

I agree with Aaron, if you're going to get one, that's the one to get.

K.C. Shaw said...

Aaron--Agents everywhere are wincing. Or cheering!

Danielle--I think so too, particularly since I really expected a form rejection.

Alan W. Davidson said...

It does sound nice, as far as rejections go. I'm sure that your perseverance will pay off.

Fox Lee said...

Personal rejections are always the best : ) You'll find the right home for Bell Men soon!

Cate Gardner said...

That's a fantastic rejection. I have a gut feeling about that book.

K.C. Shaw said...

Alan and Natalie--I hope so!

Cate--The rejection did actually make me a little hopeful (which sounds weird).

Jamie Eyberg said...

That is the kind of rejection a person could, almost, get used to. I am sure it will find an agent soon, and then a publisher.

K.C. Shaw said...

Thanks! I must say, this is probably the first rejection I've ever gotten that makes me feel more hopeful, not less.