In the writing process, most specifically the querying process, writers’ self-doubt is at an all time high. After you’ve given all you can into a project that has consumed your life for the last 6 months to 6 years, you now put it out there for the world to judge. So what ends up happening when rejected? Some people get angry. Some people take to the internet. And some people go after the people who rejected them — agents.
Most do not do this literally. Although in 2012 there was some crazy asshole who did do this literally and trended on Twitter. Some rejected writers take to their blogs, twitter statuses, and random comment sections to rail against the agents who rejected them. I never understand this. Even as a person who has received rejection, I really don’t get hating the messenger. Yeah, it sucks. Sure. Get a grip and go back to work. Shit, if it were that easy, wouldn’t everyone write a book? And then how special would you feel when you did it? It’s like the Looper movie all over again. (Okay, I know that’s a stretch. I just saw it and it’s on my mind. Oh, that terrible scene with the limbs haunts me.)
To combat this unjustified hate, I spread rational love with royal icing. New Leaf Literary is an agency of very generous people. They dispense advice through their Tumblr, chat it up on Twitter, and provide encouragement through their WriteOnCon keynote speech. Do they have to do this? No. Does it take time to do this? Tons, I’m sure. Then why would they do this? To help those writers out there still receiving rejections. Hey that’s you fucko who’s about to write some scathing comment about how they’re ruining publishing with gatekeeping.
Here’s to you New Leaf Literary for being awesome. Thank you for taking the time to help us all. Even the fuckos. It’s appreciated by many.
Author’s note: No, the cookies aren’t a bribe. No, I did not send them with my query. No, they aren’t a gimmick to go with my current WIP. They are only a genuine thank you.
Author’s note #2: I fought every urge in my body to title this post with a cliché. Out of respect for the pretty cool people the blog post is about, I silenced all my witty one liners. Seriously though, if they were witty, they would’ve made the title.
