I’ve been looking through my ideas file for the next thing I want to work on, and found something I want to share with you, especially if you are an unpublished writer feeling like it’s never going to happen.
It’s from 2010, the early days of Facebook and it mattered to me so much, I screenshot the thread and saved it.
I posted:
Kathryn Evans would like to feel a little more positive about the possibility of ever getting a book deal but, shall instead, be grateful for what she’s got. Honest.
I hope the lovely people who replied don’t mind me sharing their responses, here are a few of them – I’ve redacted their names just in case!
Jxx
It’ll happen, you’re a talented writer! I remember thinking that at Miriam’s Winchester workshop the year before last!
Yesterday at 12:06 ·
Mxx
me too! :o)
Yesterday at 12:07 ·
Jxx
It will probably happen when you least expect it……
Yesterday at 12:10 ·
Axx
And you are allowed a grrrrrrrr in the meantime…..
Yesterday at 12:36 ·
Jxx
oh most definitely… should we have a group ‘grrrrrrrrrrrr’ for you?
Yesterday at 12:37 ·
Group ‘grrrr’ much appreciated and thanks guys……it was something Cxx said about 3 out of 300 subs from agents being accepted by an editor last year… from agents…..I know the talent level out there is phenomenal – which IS great for children’s literature but, but, but….
Yesterday at 13:11 ·
Exx
The book I spent 19 months writing has had 7 rejections to date so I can sympathise Kathryn. Every reason under the sun given from – it’s got a boy as the main protagonist (God forbid!) to – it’s too issue driven and not my usual light comedy. It does start to get me down sometimes but as you say, it’s important to be grateful for the royalties that keep my affloat while I’m waiting! Keep smiling. 🙂
Yesterday at 13:41 ·
Nxx
I will join with you in ggggggggggrrrrrrrrrr-ing! Especially when I hear people wittering on about “trends”…
Yesterday at 14:13 ·
Txx
I wish I could make you feel better but I can’t, except perhaps to say, I’m sure it will happen and I love Shem and when it does happen I want a signed copy and an interview for my blog and an invite to the book publication party and… well, here’s a virtual hug in the mean time (( xx ))
Yesterday at 14:20 ·
Exx
Positive attracts positive. When you send it out visualise it being accepted. Hold the positive thought in your mind and believe. It works for many things including parking spots!
Yesterday at 14:26 ·
Nxx
I wouldn’t stress about probabilities – I mean what was the chance of you getting an agent in the first place? But I absolutely share your frustration. Grrrr, indeed.
Yesterday at 14:39 ·
Lxx
You’ll get there, Kathryn! It’s just taking longer for everyone’s manuscripts to find a home. So many editors have lost their jobs that it’s making them gun shy. But they still need books to publish… 🙂
Yesterday at 15:10 ·
Dxx
You will get there. You ARE getting there. Me too and we shall each have our books in stores at the same time! I shall see your titles and you shall see mine. We shall each have little endcaps. Pact? Intend it, baby!
Yesterday at 16:50 ·
Jxx
oh I know i can’t say anything knowledgeable about publishing (except there are some mad ones out there because Dylan and Mouse hasn’t been published yet) but….as soon as it happens, I’ll be first in the queue at Waterstones!!xx
Yesterday at 17:49 ·
Bxx
It’ll happen.
BxYesterday at 18:12 ·
Mxx
We know the odds are stacked against us, but we still do it. Just keep swimming xxx
Yesterday at 18:20 ·
Lxx
and i’ll be right behind you Julie saying in a very loud voice “‘ of course Kathy and i go WAY back….we were at Uni together you know!!”
Yesterday at 19:51 ·
LOl – oh you lot are fab – ….. I so badly want an editor. There, I’ve said it, they make good books great. Yep Mxx, just keeping on swimming :O)
Yesterday at 20:07 ·
Pxx
Kathy. “Hi!” Just logged on for the first time today. The editor Cxx is referring to is, I believe, J-H-W and I’ve no reason to doubt her if she claims that she only went for 3 out of the 300 agency-submitted manuscripts… but if every editor chooses a different 3 out of 300, what’s to say that one of your manuscripts won’t be one of them? You have talent. You have an agent and you have perseverance. A winning combination, I reckon.
Yesterday at 22:13 ·
Dxx – most of the time I do, honestly, just now and again, gah! You know…Pxx you are a nice man :O) I hadn’t actually thought that – some of those 300 would be subbed elsewhere, true enough x
Yesterday at 23:11 ·
Cxx
oh but i think your writing does stand out. it’s just a matter of finding the right editor … i think getting that yes isn’t like a love-in, the editor has to fall head over heels for all the right reasons. i know people who are disappointed with their writing life because they are taken on for the wrong reasons (eg commercial ideas, exploitable). i have to say though that i felt exactly like you did last year.
4 hours ago ·
I shall print these comments off and stick them to the inside of my brain x
I did print them off, and they kept me going until the right manuscript, and my super agent, Sophie Hicks, cracked it.
More of Me was published in 2016, my next novel comes out early next year – I’m still not supposed to talk about it but it won’t hurt to tell you that Shem, one of the characters mentioned above, lives again – different story, same boy. Nothing is ever wasted – which is why I’m going back through my old files and why you, if you are still trying to break through, should keep going.
Lean on your friends, join a writer’s group, if you’re a children’s book writer or illustrator join SCBWI, try and bump over the disappointments and revel in the highs. I’ve said it so many times but if you are a writer, you have no choice so you might as well get on with it and try and enjoy the ride. Your pals will help. They really will.
Kathryn Evans 