Rejection Follow-Up

Like any emotion, the pain of rejection isn’t long-lasting. Once I poured my emotions into my last blog post, the pain started to lessen. It only resurfaced for a moment when I got to work and had to cross out the “New York” scribbling I’d made on my calendar and remove the “New York, here I come” post-it that I had affixed to my computer monitor.

“Oh, well,” I said to myself. “No one can say you didn’t put yourself out there.”

A few days later, I was searching my email for something unrelated it and I came upon an unexpected surprise. The official rejection letter, only it was entitled, Thank You for your Manuscript Submission.

The email was very thorough, detailing the number of submissions the evaluating team received and the time constraints they had to review them. It also encouraged those of us not selected for this particular opportunity to keep nurturing our craft and to not be dismayed. There will be other opportunities with their organization and beyond.

I was comforted by the acknowledgment and further motivated by this team’s commitment to get more voices of underrepresented writers, specifically Black women published by the major publishing houses.

I posted about the receipt of the letter in the group of us who participated in this program. For those of us not selected, I advised them/us to pat ourselves on the back to being working writers. Because what differentiates the “working” writer from the thousands of people who identify themselves as writers is that we are actually writing, publishing and/or submitting our work for consideration.

All writers can’t say that.

I thought it was important to speak to the women not selected this time because they probably feel forgotten about. Most of the communication in the group has been those posting their plans for New York or planning a Zoom all for those attending.

I wanted them to feel encouraged and motivated to keep going.

Sharing is caring, right?

Til Next Time,

L.A.

My First Time Seeking out Beta Readers

Y,all…if you don’t know anything about me, you should know that I’ve got a stubborn streak. I will be the first to admit that.

Let me give you an example. I have had enough people over the years tell me that in order for me to burn my stubborn belly fat, I have to really streamline my diet. Like only allow myself pizza once a month as opposed to once a week. Or, drink my coffee black instead of with dairy creamer. But, I will look at people who have the figures, or belly, at least, that I want and swear that they are still enjoying some pleasures of life like creamy coffee and a supreme pizza. Then I rationalize that they are doing some other kind of diet fad to get results they have.

So over the 15 year span of my publishing career, I have heard about writers using beta readers to get timely feedback on their work long before they publish their work. But I was too fearful of criticism to try this.

When I was writing my novel, Unfinished Business, I had friend of mine reading and she was nothing but encouraging. She never said anything remotely negative or critical of the story I was writing. And, of course, as the author, I loved that! But in retrospect, although the story is good, I should have gotten more opinions before publishing. It could have been even better than what it was.

The problem with using family or friends to read your book for reader opinion is their true opinion of your work can be skewed by the excitement about that fact they you’re writing a book in the first place. Their love for you can make them hold back from telling you what you really need to hear.

That’s where beta readers come in.

Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

They are independent readers who beta read for their love of reading, and maybe a little compensation, too, if they’ve made a business out of it. However, there are still plenty of people who do it free of charge.

But let me tell you this…whatever fee you pay for a beta reader will be far less than what you will pay a professional editor for developmental editing. I can attest to that!

Back in 2021, I decided to use a developmental editor for my third novel. The editor was extremely thorough, which I loved. Her notes were extensive and detailed. From storyline, character arc, plot holes, and character development. I was very appreciative of all of her comments and I used all of it as I commenced rewriting.

But I paid a hefty price for that extensive critiquing! And now, the same editor is line editing the revised manuscript.

More money. More money. More money.

While I appreciate the developmental edit and have no regrets for the experience, I could have saved by letting beta readers guide me from the reader perspective, which is really the opinion that the author wants to capture!

Now, I won’t say that I would never do a developmental edit again. But before I get there, I will definitely employ a team of beta readers during the first and second drafts as a start.

Recently I put out a call for beta readers for a short story I’ve written. So far, I have two. I’m looking forward to their reviews.

Til Next Time,

L.A.

In Writing: Breaking News

Just when I got my mojo back for my current WIP, November 1st is one day away.

You know what November 1st is, right?

No?

Let me tell you…

It’s the start of National Novel Writing Month!!!!

And for the first time in about five years, I’m participating with a BRAND NEW project!

Huh? You might be saying. “LA, how are you moving on to another project when you’re already working on one?

Haha! I’m glad you asked! The answer is this…

It’s necessary.

The story I’m working on now is already written. I’m in the rewriting and revision stage for that book. National Novel Writing Month is a challenge for writers to write a new 50K word novel in 30 days. The concept, which I fully understand now, is to spend the month of November straight writing. Not reading what you wrote yesterday and making corrections (also known as editing). At the end of the month, the participant is not expected to have a “ready to publish” novel. That’s what I used to think. Instead, the participant is expected to have a rough first draft, a good start, a story in need of major revisions.

This…I can do.

I’ve had the concept of the story rolling around in my head for about 3-5 years. I actually intend on it being a screenplay, but the novelist in me must write the full story first.

I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m scared. There’s already easily five days that I likely won’t be writing AND that’s not even including the holidays. So that means I’m going to have to go double time on my available writing days.

I registered the library where I work as a Come Write In space in which I’ll be hosting four virtual writing sessions. And I think I’m going to add a few from my personal zoom account as well. Make sure you’re connected with me on IG @authorlajefferson for regular updates.

Best,

Black History Month 2021: Celebrating Black Writers–Connie Briscoe

Connie Briscoe is another one of my favorite authors. Her novel, Big Girls Don’t Cry, holds a special place in my heart. As I teenager, at the time, I identified so much with the main character, Naomi Jefferson, who was also a teen at the start of the novel. The story followed the character into adulthood, which gave me a vision of the possibilities ahead for me as an adult. I’ve read a lot of books over my life, but very few are as memorable as this one.

I have long gotten rid of most fiction paperback novels in my personal library, but this one, I keep for sentimental value. Even if I ever get my hands on a hardcover copy I still may not toss it. When I checked out her feature books on her website, I’ve read nearly all of them. I’m glad to see she’s turned her attention to helping aspiring writers!

If you haven’t already, check her out!

NaturallyYours,

L.A.