I just got my first rejection letter.

I'm a little numb. But otherwise okay. I think.

Did they give you any feedback along with the rejection, or was it simply a "thanks but no thanks" deal?

Thank you for submitting your query. You have a terrific idea, and clearly some great, funny stories to tell. It’s clear that you’ve had a bird’s eye view of some interesting events and experiences, which make for amusing anecdotes. However, I think the real audience for this type of book is still going to be people who are themselves involved in some type of fandom, and from that point of view I found the overall tone of these essays to be a little bit angry toward segments of that population. It also takes away from any broader social commentary you might make that would attract non-fandom readers. While these are obviously individual essays, you might consider looking at them as a cohesive whole and determine what overall theme or message you’d like to put across.

I think fandom as a cultural phenomenon is only going to continue to grow, and you could have a good sized market for a book like this. I wish you all the best finding a home for this project, and with your future writing.

It's good advice, and I think kind of her to take the time to give it.

Given the obvious (we don't want no rejection) that's a very good letter.

Are you going to re-assess and perhaps re-plan based on that feedback?

Yes, I think they're good points. I do think maybe my snark comes off as anger, but I can't do much to change my tone. I think I've done a mostly good job of describing things with love and respect, but obviously that hasn't come across as clearly as I thought.

I thought my title essay was an excellent defense of fandom, and how much love I have for them.

I didn't send it out for beta, and maybe I should.

I didn't send it out for beta, and maybe I should

If you ever decide need a fresh pair of eyes, my profile addy's good. I'd be glad to look.

blink

Allyson, that's a superb letter. Dayum.

She likes the idea, she thinks the market is going to grow, she offers both general and specific suggestions for what's needed to make it work.

I mean yes, "I adore this and have nine editors who will have a bidding war over it" is always preferable, but if there was nothing there? You would have got a formulaic "Thank you for submitting, we do not feel we are a good match at this time" letter.

And there's that universal theme thing, again. Yep.

Allyson, that's a great, very personal letter to get, rejection or no. Having sent off lots and lots of the often-Xeroxed form letters (just like the ones Deb mentioned), getting a letter with that much detail and thought means she was impressed.

Just keep going. First time is very rarely a charm.

Yeah, that letter is really nice. I think if I got that rejection letter, I'd feel... well, a lot happier than I could've, anyway.

I'm confident that the writing itself must be good, or else I'd have received the form letter I'm sure.

I'm unsure how to change the tone, or if I even want to, as I like my tone a lot. I was sure that there were as many love letters to fandom as not, and I think I need to find someone who has no experience within fandom to take a read.

I just don't know anyone outside of fandom.

And I'm not sure what my universal theme is, other than fandom is not unlike any other family, and I both love them and want to strangle them.