Monday, December 5, 2011

A UNEXPECTED SURPRISE ON A GLOMMY MONDAY...

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. With Christmas just around the corner, Chicago is a buzz with bright lights and Christmas cheer.

Lincoln Parks ZOO LIGHTS officially opened last Friday and it is AMAZING. For anyone in Chicagoland it is a MUST!

Michigan Ave is beyond spectacular with stunning store windows and thousands of shoppers. Although the weather hasn't been cold, but it has been rainy and WINDY, but it isn't stopping anyone from buying their Christmas trees and presents.

As you all know by now I did make my 500 friends THANKS to all of you. As I had promised I will be awarding three Amazon gift cards as a special THANKS to all of me dear blogger friends. Without all of you this year would have been down right depressing. You have been my strong hold and for that I am truly grateful.

These past few months I have been on pins and needles waiting to hear for a publisher. I haven't shared this information because I wanted to make that happy announcement once I had the coveted contract...

Well, it wasn't what I had expected, but the news was a nice surprise never the less. The acquisitions editor told me she new the book wasn't right for her almost from the beginning. AND, as we all know how buys editors are, most would have dropped the manuscript like the plague, BUT, she didn't. She actually was compelled to finish reading it, intrigued by the MC and wanting to know what happened to him.

She stated that the ROMANCE element wasn't strong enough. I had a feeling it might not be, but I tried anyway. So you see even a rejection can be good news. If my novel can keep the interest of a busy editor even though it's not right for them, just think what it might do for the right agent/publisher! So I am not too bummed.

Back to querying though.... Let's hope The Blinded Gardener will find a home soon.

Have any of you had a "good" rejection? We've  all heard about the negative ones. Let's focus on the positive. I'd really like to hear about them.

NOW for the winners....

A special Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for getting the word out. OF course there were many of you tweeting and Facebooking and for that I am most appreciative.

Out of the 128 entries Random.org picked the lucky ones.

Congratulations    Theresa Milstein

                             Robyn Campbell

                             Sheri Larsen

You each won a $10.00 Amazon gift card.   Happy reading.... Ladies send me your email ASAP so I can send them out to you.

HAVE a GREAT MONDAY Everyone....


23 comments:

David P. King said...

The fact that you've received personalized feedback like that is nothing short of a miracle. I'm sure my stories have flaws, but it would be nice to have a professional point them out thank just a "no thanks and good luck."

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations to the winners! And hey, at she was able to tell you what she thought it needed, which is better than just a no thanks.
Now off to a thousand followers, Michael!

Unknown said...

That's encouraging news, Michael! One would think if it left that big of an impression on someone who knew the book wasn't a fit from the outset that it'll find a home somewhere. Good luck and keep at it, sounds like you're on the right track!

Laura said...

Congrats to your worthy winners - and congratulations to you too - that is some impressive feedback!
Lxxx

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Congrats to the winners!

And yes, I was lucky enough to receive positive feedback along with a rejection several times during my querying process. Each time I received feedback, I revised accordingly before my next batch of queries.

In fact, my manuscript was in a constant state of revision until it landed in the hands of an agent who loved it.

And then we revised it some more ... ;)

Good luck with your project. This was very promising!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

That does sound like a good rejection, enjoy it! Your description of Chicago at Christmas time makes me want to go watch a John Hughes movie. Home Alone is my favorite.

Carrie Butler said...

Personalized feedback? Lucky you! :) Best of luck, Michael!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I'm sorry that the news was a rejection Michael. I've received so many of those that I don't even think I really register them emotionally anymore. /hugs. Just keep at it. You are so talented and so smart. Your work is going to find a home and when it does, I'll be cheering your success.

Heather said...

I'm so sorry it was a no. :( But that's wonderful that she felt compelled to finish reading the novel! It sounds like you got great feedback and you'll be able to use it to make your novel even stronger.

farawayeyes said...

Originally from Chicago. Christmas shopping and the lights and store windows are about the only things I miss. It was a nice reminder. thanks. In the Caribbean now,so I can't complain, but it is hard to get into Christmas down here.

Congrats on your fantastic rejection. Got one myself today, not so fantastic. A simple: Unfortunately not right for us... Made me feel worse than I thought I would.I need to work on that.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

FarawayEyes - Just think of how many times JK Rowling and Grisham were rejected. You will make it if you do not give up.

Michael - Personalized rejections costs the editor writing them in time and effort -- both of which are in short supply for wearied, over-worked editors. That you got one means a great deal! Roland

Johanna Garth said...

I have to agree with everyone else. The fact that she was compelled to keep reading AND give you feedback is a huge win!

Unknown said...

Your positive mindset is a reminder to us all that even in the midst of rejection, there are good things to be found. Sending you all the luck I have in the query process.

Side note -- my co-author lives in Chicago as does my sister and brother. Haven't been to see them during the Holidays in a while but your description of Michigan Ave makes me think a quick weekend trip is in order.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Awesome that you made it to acquisitions. That's a huge accomplishment. Congrats and on making 500 followers.

Nicki Elson said...

Want to know something funny? The first story I ever wrote was rejected by a Harry Potter fanfiction site! Some punk told me I needed to work on my punctuation...which I totally did. So for about two hours I figured it was time to quit writing - and in the third hour, I said screw that and refreshed myself on the rules. Glad I did. :)

BG has had something very special about it from the beginning. Can't wait till the right publishing house snatches it up.

farawayeyes said...

Hey Roland Thanks,that was sweet. I never give up. Never.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Congratulations on the Michael 500 and on the rejection. It really was very positive feedback.

Have a great week!

Mary

Anonymous said...

A happy monday to you too. I'm glad that you are querying, I haven't had any experiences with it yet. Hopefully soon though. Good luck!

erica and christy said...

That's a wonderful rejection. I'm sorry it's not exactly the news you'd hoped for, but the process helped you to make BG all the better and all the readier for the right agent/publisher! I'm glad you are looking at the positives of it because it's awesome she read through the whole thing and felt so connected to your MC. Well done! (miss you by the way!) christy

dolorah said...

You know how pleased I am for you Michael. I just know you are destined to find the right agent/publisher for this exceptional novel.

And I love how you are keeping your spirits up this holiday season. Wish I could be there to see the Zoo Lights in the Windy City.

You know, when I make my own first advance . .

.......dhole

The Manic Chef said...

Good to see another entry Michael, yes the Holidays and the excitement that surrounds it. is in full swing here in Montreal, Quebecers love their "Joyeux Noel", and I confess..so do I. Glad you took the rejection so well, and I agree with you, she did NOT have to read it at all. Just keep plugging away, something will come your way...why? Because I want to be the first to read this BOOK! Now regards to rejection.....that's the story of my life....oy....how I suffer, I may write a book about suffering, rejection....the whole spiel! It will be a comedy of errors....oy can I talk...but I will spare you. So I'm sorry I was not picked, but...hey that's all part of a rejected life.....Later!

Janet, said...

Congratulations to the winners. That was a pretty good rejection, I'm still waiting for my first 'good' one.

Unknown said...

Oh well, a good rejection is food for the fuel, right? You will get that fire burning because BG is a wonderful story. Congrats to the lucky winners and to you Bro for reaching your goal of 500 followers. Happy 1 year blogging birthday :)