If You Are Tired of Getting Rejection...

You need to change up your game plan. On one hand, you are to be applauded for getting your material out to the editor or agent for consideration. Some writers never even take that active step. Every published writer has had plenty of rejection, it comes with our profession. The basic task of every writer is to get their writing to the right editor for the right publication at the right place and the right time.

There are many reasons for rejection and some of those reasons have to do with the writer and some of them have to do with timing.

A key step to changing your game plan is to get some more information or training. This training can come from a writers conference or instruction from others online like my Write A Book Proposal course or from how-to books.

In Philadelphia, Conference Director Marlene Bagnull was talking about the merits of Mike Nappa's book, 77 Reasons Why Your Book Was Rejected, and how to be sure it won't happen again! Marlene wrote an endorsement for this book that calls it “a must-read book for writers who want to get their book in print. Now only will you learn why your manuscript has been rejected, you'll learn how to fix it.”

It was toward the end of the second day of a panel of book editors and Marlene was speaking about Mike's book. I encouraged her to read Reason No 1. Flipping to the page she read, “Your Writing Is Crap.” It was not what you usually hear at a Christian writers conference.

According to industry insiders, there are a million proposals, queries and book manuscripts in circulation in different literary agencies and publishing houses. If you have submitted anything to an editor, you normally receive a form rejection letter saying it didn't meet their editorial needs. The form letter gives no insight for why you were rejected.

Mike Nappa pulls back the curtain and helps writers understand why their precious book pitch was rejected. He is straightforward and frank with his advice which is generously on every page of this well-written book.

For example, Reason #14 is one most writers don't want to learn: "You are lazy." Nappa concludes this section saying, "If you want to get published, you've got to be willing to do the work it takes to optimize every opportunity. If you don't want to do the work, all of the writers conferences and workshops in the world will not do you any good. Remember there is no such thing as a lazy writer...only those who get published and those who don't." (Page 69)

The 77 Reasons Why Your Book Was Rejected are divided into three main sections: Editorial Reasons for Rejection, Marketing Reasons for Rejection and Sales Reasons for Rejection. With Nappa's years of experience as an editor and agent, he has poured terrific value into this book. No writer likes to be rejected but every writer can profit from a detailed study of this book. I highly recommend it.

The Perils of Procrastination

Many writers operate under the philosophy, why do today what I can put off until tomorrow? Yes, they have dreams but they are not consistently working toward achieving that dream. Year pass and they continue wanting to get their book published yet it still has not happened.

I met one of these writers at the Philadelphia conference. I’m going to use the name Bob but his name was not Bob because I don’t want to embarrass him but simply use him as an example. As we talked about his book, Bob rummaged through his papers and showed me a proposal from the year before which a faculty member had written and given specific recommendations for improvements and changes. In the weeks and months between last year’s conference and the current one, Bob had not reviewed the revisions and made the improvements. Instead he tucked it into a file which he brought to the next conference. He was mired in a procrastination cycle. I’m certain from time to time Bob wonders why he is not making progress on his dreams about a book—yet he is not taking action to learn his craft, improve his writing and continue moving forward.

Also at the conference, I was talking with a faculty member and made a suggestion for a possible project. This editor agreed it was a good idea then said, “I have this problem with procrastination. It will take me a while to get to it.” At least he was acknowledging his challenge and the validity or merit of my idea for him. At the same time, with his words, he was putting off taking any action on the idea until a later date.

I understand the challenge of procrastination. My writing and publishing life is crammed with activities—much more than is humanly possible to accomplish. Yet I also know the merits of goal setting and continually moving forward to accomplish a concrete goal.

Over three years ago, I took an online course from Jimmy D. Brown called Memberaire. The program is designed for anyone to learn how to create their own online course and launch it in a short amount of time.

Enthused about what I was learning from Jimmy each week, I followed the lessons and completed the assignments. I decided not to launch my course right away but to work on the creative aspects with a different schedule. Because of the volume of other deadlines and projects, I wanted to have more of the course in place and written than just a lesson or two as Jimmy suggested. I loved the course material and read it faithfully. The tyranny of the urgent forced me to slack off on completing the weekly assignments yet I stuck with his course.

It ran for a full year. As each lesson arrived in my mailbox, I faithfully printed each one. I burned through several reams of paper with these weekly assignments.

At the end of last year or two years after completing Jimmy’s course, I was reviewing some of my future projects. I chastised myself for not completing and launching my own course. I clearly made a decision to stop procrastination and take action. I began to speak daily time on creating and launching my own course. Ultimately several months ago I launched my Write A Book Proposal course and have students taking the course around the world.

My creation of the course was not without glitches and learning many lessons. For example, my course is a three month course which involves something called recurring billing. That means after 30 days, my shopping cart has to bill for the next 30 days. Then after 30 more days, the shopping cart has to bill for the final month. Because the course is available 24/7 students begin and reach that 30 day point at different times. Ideally you set up the controls so it is handled automatically. For the first batch of students I handled that billing by hand but now it is all automatic. My persistence and continual effort has paid off. I’ve received glowing comments about my teaching in the course from different students.

While in Philadelphia, I met one of my students who came to the conference from Sydney, Australia. She got on an airplane and came 17 hours to reach the U.S. then seven more hours to reach Philly. I was honored and amazed with such passion and effort to come to a conference—and this student’s enthusiasm for my Write A Book Proposal course.

I’m happy to report that I took action on my procrastination. You can do the same with your writing. What projects or dreams are you putting off to “another day?” Make a decision to take action and reach for your goals. It will take planning and consistent action but you can definitely get there. You don’t have to be stuck in the past. The future is yours if you reach for it.

Free Book Proposal Help

The word is full of attraction to readers: FREE. Some publishing experts have estimated there are six million manuscripts or book proposals are in circulation on editor’s desks or in the in boxes of literary agents. For everyone in this business, time is limited and you can only read so many ideas. Many years ago I learned to be sensitive to the person pitching their idea. Are they proposing the type of material that you handle or something in a completely different area? Are they focused? If rambling or strange, it is instantly rejected. You don’t want to be in that category as an author. You want your ideas to be heard and considered.

Last week I held a free 70-minute teleseminar and people asked their questions. Over 200 people registered for this event. Many people asked the same questions but it showed me again that many would-be authors are confused about book proposal. It had been a few years since I saw the array of raw questions from writers trying to get their ideas heard by an editor or agent (the gatekeepers for the publishing business). Often the questions are basic. A number of writers wanted to know the length of a typical book proposal. Is it a single page pitch? No, that single page pitch is called a query. Some editors or agents use that single-page letter to quickly handle the ideas in a shorter format. If you are new to the world of publishing, the terms can be confusing and you need someone to help you learn the lingo.

Other writers asked what they can do to hook the attention of the editor or agent since they know such attention is fleeting. Others asked if they need to have competitive titles in their proposal or how they can build a platform if they have no platform and no one knows who they are. Each of these questions are good questions in my view and need someone to answer them. I’ve been reading proposals and pitches from writers for over 20 years plus I’ve been writing my own pitches for these years. I poured such experience into my answers during the free teleseminar.

Here’s my good news about this free event: I recorded it. You can get the replay immediately and download it to your computer or Ipod. Then you can listen to it once or multiple times at: askaboutproposals.com Also you can download my Ebook: Acceptance or Rejection? 5 Strategies That Make a Difference. When you get this 19-page Ebook, download it and read it. Follow the links in my articles and learn even more information. Education and on-going learning is the key to making that right pitch to the right editor at the right time. You can do it. Persist but the first step is to take action. Too many writers go to conferences or read blogs and fail to apply the material to their writing life. If you take action, you will put yourself in a different category.

Throughout this event, I also tell about my course to help writers craft excellent book proposals. You can learn about this 12-week course at: WriteABookProposal.com. Read the words on this page and take action. The first lesson comes immediately. The course is on autoresponders and on schedule it will come right to your email box.

Over seven years ago, I wrote Book Proposals That Sell as a frustrated acquisitions editors. Each day I searched my in basket and email box for the best pitches. Repeatedly I did not find what I needed. I hoped as writers read my book, they would produce something closer to what I needed. Yet in the last seven years, I’ve learned much more about proposals and publishing. While I’ve received great feedback about Book Proposals That Sell (and over 95 Five Star reviews on Amazon), the book is not without its critics. Some writers are disappointed that I emphasize nonfiction and have little help for novelists. Others feel like the book is too slanted toward the Christian marketplace (where it isn’t in my view because the principles are universal across publishing). While many people continue to purchase this book and treat it like it is brand new, It is seven years out of synch with my information about the publishing world.

As an author, you have seconds to catch the attention of an editor or agent. Yes, seconds. You want to give yourself the best opportunity to make a good first impression. In my Write A Book Proposal training course, I have made it universally appealing whether you want to write nonfiction or fiction, whether you write for adults or children or young adults. In my years within publishing, I’ve handled the full range of books and materials. I’ve kept the broadest possible target in mind as I’ve written these lessons.

Each lesson includes a specific focus and an assignment. If you follow the steps and complete each assignment, at the end of the course, you will have a complete proposal and sample chapter. As a writer, you will have positioned yourself in the best possible place to have your idea considered and hopefully championed. Yes, each writer is searching for the champion—someone who will love your idea and want to carry it forward it the publishing process until it appears in print.

I’m excited about potential. These skills are ones that you can learn and apply to your writing so you will be able to find that champion. Every agent and editor that I know is actively listening to writers and looking for the next great idea. If you want to be heard, consider Write A Book Proposal as your next action step.

One of my bestselling fiction writer friends looked at the course and told me, “It looks like a bold fresh idea for writers.” I look forward to hearing about your success in the days to come. With the right guidance, you can do it.

Why It's Called The Slush Pile

Every writers pitch their ideas to literary agents and publishers. I've listened to many of these pitches personally at writers conferences and I've received stacks of these submissions as an editor and agent.

In a matter of seconds, I can tell if something is going to be worth reading and considering. Yes, seconds. Millions of submissions are in circulation at different offices. The editors and agents are actively looking because it is their business to find fresh talent and publish authors.

I've received many unusual submissions. The number and variety of these submissions grew that I started a file in my desk and labeled it, Strange But True.

Today another one landed in my mail box. Just to be clear, I've not worked for Howard Books for five years Yet a handwritten letter was addressed:

Manuscript Review Committee

Howard Books

Suite D-3 #481

23623 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

It came to my personal address yet it was addressed to the "committee." OK. I opened it and thankfully it has an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope). After I post this message, I'm going to print this entry and mail it to the author with the hopes it will help her see the necessity to have a much better presentation with her pitch.

The letter (typed) and dated February 15, 2011 began, "Dear Sirs," Why would you address a single editor to his personal mail box with Dear Sirs?

First paragraph: "If you could hold in your hands, this moment, the most urgent, significant, consequential revelations of the century, a manuscript so meaningful as to rival the Holy Bible of old, a manuscript containing the most sacred and controversial heavenly truths ever bestowed on the eath (she meant earth); would you publish it?"

OK, this paragraph is engaging yet full of hyperbole (exaggeration). It is in many respects over the top in terms of exaggeration.

Second paragraph: "This manuscript exists. _______ is about 900 pages of the most sacred words of the holy angels of God. This is a powerful, dynamic manuscript from a heavenly perspective, not a mortal imagination. These are deep, thought-provoking, intelligent, inspirational words which will invoke an indelible emotion in the reader. Some will tremble in the soul. Eyes will fill with tears as they recognize these are actual truths of angel's wisdom. This is not another "angel book."

A typical nonfiction book (which this claims to be) is 40 to 80,000 words. The world of books and magazine looks for the word count--not the page count. Estimating 200 words a page, this manuscript is 180,000 words or over 700 pages of a typeset book. That fact alone is enough to get this instantly rejected. The author has no concept of the challenges of book production or the difficulties that such a large book will mean to any publisher--much less thinking about the contents. I'm speaking only of the word count. It is way beyond the normal range.

While these changes are mostly cosmetic (the lack of a personal name address and the lengthy manuscript), let's address a core issue with submissions. You have to send your pitch to the right agent or editor. It has to be someone who identifies with the topic. Howard Books is a "Christian" part of Simon and Schuster. While there is broad definition for the word Christian, as a minimum, the editors hold to the basic Christian doctrines. For example, what do the editors believe about the Bible? I would expect their view to agree with what Billy Graham writes on his website, "But the Bible isn't just another human book. The Bible claims to be something far greater than this: It claims to be the Word of God. In other words, it says that behind its human authors was another author: God Himself. The Bible says, "For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). If this is true (and as a Christian I believe it is), then it means we aren't free to pick and choose what parts of the Bible we will believe. The whole Bible is God's Word, and the whole Bible teaches us God's truth. The Bible says, "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless" (2 Samuel 22:31)."

This submission includes a page of quotations to entice the editor to request a partial or full manuscript submission. Here's one of the quotations, "About hell: "This is not for you or others. Do not be afraid because you think yourself not good enough to enter heaven. Even the most sinful of souls have a place in God's plan. A place will be waiting for all souls, where each will find happiness."

Really? You can follow this link to see what Billy Graham writes about hell but it is a real place.

Bottom-line this author has no idea how to approach an editor with the book idea nor how to send this idea for proper consideration.

As I have written here before, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Tuesday, I'll be answering your questions about book proposals in a free teleseminar. I hope you can attend and will ask a question and pick up my free Ebook.

Also this teleseminar will be the launching my Write A Book Proposal training program. In 12-weeks, I teach step-by-step how to craft a book proposal and sample chapter which will gather the right sort of interest.

Every writer needs to learn all they can to make the best possible impression on the agent or editor. They are searching for a champion who will move their idea through the publishing process and they will ultimately get their book published and into the marketplace. As for this "submission" to the Manuscript Review Committee, it will only land in my "Strange But True" Manila folder.