Comments on: #Persistence

By: sharon

sharon — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:25:19 +0000

Hi DC, great question! I can answer in part, though I don’t know the details of the authors who participated in the survey. Initial books often are “practice” – you learn more about storytelling, dialogue, character development, etc., with each book you write, especially if you’re getting feedback on your work from writing partners, workshops, even the querying process. So sometimes your first 1 (or 2 or 3) manuscripts simply aren’t ready. You’ll see even with successful authors a lot of growth between their first published book and their later ones! And often the first books never do get published because the author realizes they aren’t good enough. They want to spend their energy writing a new book rather than fixing an early incomplete or immature one.

But the right combo of topic and timing almost always comes into it, too. Your category might be the next big thing editors (and thus agents) are dying for in two years. Or your perfect agent might not be signing up new clients right now, or might not have added your category to her wishlist yet.

That’s why you have to keep working, reading, researching, listening – so when timing swings your way, you have the best possible manuscript ready for it.

By: D. C. DaCosta

D. C. DaCosta — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 02:38:00 +0000

Interesting \”survey\”.I\’m wondering: if these folks wrote three books before getting the fourth one published, did any of the first three EVER get published?Are the initial books \”practice\” for the one that makes it? Or is the successful one just the right combo of topic and timing?

By: Tracey Christensen

Tracey Christensen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:31:39 +0000

Hey, you published this on the same day you sent my rej… Never mind. I have a sense of humor. (And I\\’m sure the two are completely unrelated.)Persistence. Yes. Growth, change, revision. Yes. Get the right words in front of the right people at the right time. Yes. And a healthy dose of luck.Take yourself too seriously. No. Take rejection personally. No. Give up. No.I\\’m glad he got the girl.Tracey

By: Lisa Begin-Kruysman

Lisa Begin-Kruysman — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 14:02:09 +0000

Thanks, Sharon. I forget where I first heard that phrase, but I have always embraced it. Yes. A project is not static, either. It can be retitled, renewed, revamped and re-queried. If you believe in a project, and you have done the hard work, someone will come to believe in it, too. Timing is important, also. It is important to always have a few projects \\”out there\\” as well. I can never run out of subject matter or ideas for a new book or Proposal!

By: sharon

sharon — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 18:04:41 +0000

great point, LIsa – even repped, published authors need persistence. I love the phrase “enlightened persistence” you used, because it’s not just refusing to take “no” for an answer. you need to pay attention to the “whys” of the nos you’re getting!

By: sharon

sharon — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 18:03:06 +0000

That’s the spirit, Jeremy! All the best to you and your quest!

By: Lisa Begin-Kruysman

Lisa Begin-Kruysman — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:35:31 +0000

Love your family story! That worked for my husband, too, and that was over 20 years ago. Wishing the same for your sister and bro-in-law. I like to practice “enlightened persistence” and I have to say it has never failed me. Currently, I am so happy to be part of the D & G family. An agent may not be the “sure thing” every author hopes for, but the fact that someone at this level is willing to partner with you gives one confidence and hope, and the “best eyes” on. I always have another project or two at the ready.

By: Jeremy Szal

Jeremy Szal — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:13:49 +0000

Rejection can definitely sting – but at the end of the day, the agent *has* to be crazy about your book, otherwise there’s no point.

I had two agents here at Dystel consider my manuscript very closely, but ultimately it didn’t make the cut. It just makes me more determined to get out there, right that killer novel that cannot be refused.Until then, back to the storyboard!

– Jeremy