Actually, this is the first rejection of my current novel project, which is a feat in of itself, as it isn't even completed yet.
I didn't mention this publicly before (because I didn't want to make a big deal out of a mere possibility), but a couple of weeks ago a senior editor for a major non-CBA publishing house contacted me via e-mail based on my writing on the weblog(s). He said he has been given the go-ahead to pursue fiction projects for the imprint he heads that might appeal to Christian readers, and he wanted to know if I had any book-length projects that might fit the bill.
Surprised, highly hopeful, and scared witless, I sent him the promotional material for my first novel and the first few chapters of my current one (making sure several times to remind him that those pages are unrevised and the project itself is incomplete).
He let me know up front he probably wasn't interested in my completed novel, because it is supernatural fiction, and they just don't publish that genre. That wasn't a surprise to me, really, and I now feel like I've squeezed the last molecule of juice out of that turnip. It came this close to being one of four books used to launch a new Christian imprint specializing in speculative fiction, even making the single-digit list of finalists considered. But once that publisher rejected it, I now just sort of throw it out there at curious publishers like a pathetic Little League dad bragging about his marginally talented son.
But he did sound interested in my current project. Alas, it was not to be. Here's the message I just received from him:
Hi Jared,
I enjoyed your sample chapters ? you are a gifted writer and your passion for the craft really comes across on the page. And I agree that BLACK DOG MAN would be served best by a non-Christian publisher, especially one that grows and supports literary writers. Unfortunately, as I only acquire commercial fiction, and mostly for women at that, I?m afraid I won?t be able to pursue this. That?s not to say that your writing would not be accessible to a commercial fiction audience, but it doesn?t fit nicely into the categories that define commercial fiction. I?m sorry; I wish I was in a position to help more. But thanks for letting me see your work. I have a feeling you?ll find a publisher sooner rather than later.
A few things:
First, even though I've suffered nothing but rejections so far, I have been encouraged by the personal nature of the rejections I've received. With the exception of one editor, every person who has passed on my manuscripts has nevertheless gone out of their way to affirm my talent and say they really liked the book(s). A few have said variations of "I'd love to publish this, but it doesn't fit our needs right now." This obviously makes rejection easier to take.
I suppose also, in this case, that getting rejected with encouragement by a big-league publisher -- one whose editor made the effort of contacting me -- beats not even getting a hearing from one. (And the one editor who rejected me coldly was actually a guy who contacted me unsolicited, was from a "vanity press," and wanted me to pay him to publish my book. When I declined this guy actually started insulting me!)
It does sort of suck getting a project rejected before it's completed. That happened once before on my first project, and I immediately regretted submitting it before it was done. I'm already having that feeling about this correspondence. Maybe if I'd said, "Well, I've got something I think you'll like, but I'll send it to you when it's done," he'd be in a different place when I finally submitted it. Or maybe not.
I am both encouraged and concerned by his affirmation that a mainstream publisher would be the best fit for the book (even though it is about a missionary). I suspected as much, because I am not confident that a CBA publisher would be that enthusiastic about a story populated with assassins, Yanomamo warriors, prostitutes, drug runners, and a gay CIA agent. There is no explicit content, and the narrative is consciously Christian, but I could see an editor with an eye toward the blue-haired ladies frequenting the Christian bookstore fiction shelves balking at it.
So his confirmation of that suspicion is a good affirmation of my instincts. Moreover, his citing its "literary quality" is a great encouragement to me, as well. All along, I have tried to write a page-turning, genre-type story that is told with the substance of a literary novel. According to him, at least, I have succeeded in that respect.
But here's my dilemma: if it's too edgy for the CBA and too literary for the mainstream, how in the world will I get it published? Therein lies my concern.
Oh well. I'm disappointed in this rejection, because getting published by this company would have been something to put at the top of the Christmas letter.
;-) Heck, I would have embossed it on the envelope!
But I take some comfort in how he let me down, especially in his affirmation of my writing itself.
So I labor on. I'm one chapter away from finishing Part 2 of the novel (which actually approaches the 550-page mark). Two more parts to write, but Part 3 will be relatively short and fairly easy to write. After that it's all downhill, and Part 4 will be fun, I think.
I just hope I haven't spent three years on an unmarketable book.
Jared, while I haven't seen your books, judging from the quality of your writing on this website, they will turn out well. I know this sounds cliched, but perhaps God knows that it (they) will be more effective if published later. At any rate, do complete your projects, because you never know when you will get an opportunity to use them. Plus, it's really discouraging to see deserted, unfinished projects on your hard drive. God bless!