Raven got his first solid rejection yesterday!
And as I’d hoped, it came with useful criticism on pacing and plot issues. The more distance I get from that manuscript, the more I suspect there is still plenty of editing work to be done, and now I have a few ideas of what direction to take.
We’ll see what sort of answer comes from the other agent who has the manuscript in her hands.
I haven’t been at this very long, but I have two pieces of advice for writers beginning the submission process:
1: Keep writing while your manuscript is out. Start something completely unrelated. The more I get excited about Featherfolk and other stories, the less I feel Raven and the Trinketeers is the pinnacle of my work. I’m still on the uphill climb, still improving. There are even more amazing things to come. So if I can’t ever get Raven into shape for publication, I’ll be fine.
2: Remember that you are not your story. You are not even your career. You are a son or daughter of God, and whether or not someone likes your work or wants to publish it has nothing at all to do with your worth as a person. Good news or bad news can’t rock you if you remember that.
Now, back to scribbling.
Happy Yarning!
All Kinds of Yarns 
Great post Julia! Rejections come but that solid foundation of knowing who you are is certainly a way to not get down in the dumps. You’re awesome and so is Raven’s story! It will be in print someday. I’m certain of it 🙂
^_^ Thanks.
Love the second piece of advice, especially, even as a recently published author of two books. Good reminder for my third book 🙂 Thanks
You’re welcome! Best of luck to you.
And you, thanks 🙂
You will get published! And you will be an awesome author! Even if Raven isn’t the first one to get published (although I hope it is). 😀