Anna Weaver Hurtt, Inspirational Author
Find me at these social media sites!
  • Home
  • Meet Anna
  • Anna's Books
  • Giveaways
  • Contact Me
  • For Authors

Rejections, Lessons, and a 12-book giveaway!

9/9/2013

29 Comments

 
Picture
Hello everyone! Well, I've been out of the blogging game for a few weeks, but I'm back with a bang! 

First, the sob story:
I've languished in sorrow for a week now, but I'm finally ready to tell the world. I received my first rejection last week. (Cue the wailing and gnashing of teeth.) I sent my latest story "Shadows of the Past" to the editor who had requested it at the Happily Editor After pitch... and it was turned down. She said she found a lot to like about it, but the tone was too light for the line. And now that I've had time to think about the points she made, I have to admit that she was right. As painful as it was at the time, I've learned several things through this process.

1. Rejections aren't personal. Writing is a subjective craft. No matter how good (or bad LOL) you are, some people aren't going to like your style of writing, whether they're editors, agents, or good ol' readers. But, some people are going to love it. It all depends on their preferences, so try not to take rejection personally.  Learn from it if you can and keep on writing. Make the next one better. That'll show 'em. ;)

2. You can't always measure success by a sale. Sure, I could have skipped the sting of rejection by not trying in the first place, but I would have missed the friendships I made in the pitching process, the connections I made with industry professionals, and the new story that blossomed to life because I decided to give it a shot. 

3. Rejection is not the end of the world. It isn't fun, but it won't kill you. Sometimes it can even make you stronger. As for me, it's made me more determined. I'm going to finish the story (I wrote the first half and story-boarded the rest) and try again with another agent or publisher. You never know, the next one may be a fan of light-hearted inspirational romantic suspense. (Is that a mouthful or what?!)

4. God is still in control. Even when disappointments hit, God is with us. He empathizes with our losses and gently reminds us that He has a plan that is bigger and better than we could ever imagine. 

And to celebrate my loss (I know, I'm weird like that), I'm hosting a giveaway! To research the line I was aiming for, I went through a dozen Love Inspired Suspense books, all great stories written by some super-talented ladies. Because I live on a bus and there's always limited space, these beauties need to find a new home. Seriously, they're already packed in a box...

So, here are the titles:

MIA: Missing in Atlanta by Debby Giusti
The Protector's Promise by Shirlee McCoy
Don't Look Back by Margaret Daley
Cradle of Secrets by Lisa Mondello
Deadly Homecoming by Barbara Phinney
A Face in the Shadows by Lenora Worth
On Wings of Deliverance by Elizabeth White
Desperate Rescue by Barbara Phinney
Identity Undercover by Lois Richer
Dead Air by Robin Carroll
To Trust a Stranger by Lynn Bulock
Lethal Deception by Lynette Eason

All you have to do is follow the link to the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Happy reading and have a great week, friends!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Picture
And no, there's not a kitty in my giveaway box, but the picture was too cute to resist! :D
29 Comments
Scott Patz link
9/9/2013 09:13:09 pm

In God's hands, stumbling blocks become stepping stones. Keep plugging away. God bless you.

Reply
Anna
9/10/2013 05:21:11 am

Thank you, Scott! Blessings!

Reply
Grace link
9/10/2013 12:04:10 am

Anna,
Thank you for your encouraging post! I personally have not received a rejection letter, but I know it is the one thing all writers dread. I'm excited to hear you are ready to try again with your "light-hearted inspirational romantic suspense" as you put it, and look forward to reading it as soon as the right publisher snatches it up! God's given you an incredible gift, and I look forward to seeing the amazing things He does through you!
~Grace
PS: I LOVE the title! Sounds amazing already!

Reply
Anna
9/10/2013 05:26:01 am

Thank you so much, Grace! I truly appreciate your support! :)

Reply
Beverly Lytle
9/10/2013 01:08:17 pm

Success is not measured by each little step we take, it is measured by the end result.

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:10:16 am

So true, Beverly. Thanks for stopping by! :)

Reply
Sally Shupe link
9/10/2013 08:43:09 pm

Absolutely loved this post! Thanks for sharing your writing journey. I have just started. Even entered a contest with what I've written! Sitting on pins and needles waiting to see what they might have to say. They say you never get anywhere without getting up and trying, so congratulations!! And keep going. Just from reading your post, you have a great writing style. It's all in finding the right editor/publishing house that your work fits in with. I'll be praying they find you!

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:19:59 am

Sally, you are too sweet! Thank you and I hope you get great contest results! I'll be praying for your writing as well. :)

Reply
Bonnie
9/11/2013 02:09:33 am

My worst rejection is a guy that I was interested in - years ago.

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:21:00 am

Those are the worst kind, Bonnie. Thanks for stopping by and best of luck in the giveaway. :)

Reply
Linda Ortiz
9/11/2013 02:36:51 am

Keep writing, don't be discourage! Back to the drawing board...in your case writing! I wish you all the success in the world. Look forward to reading one of your books, one of these days! :)

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:23:20 am

Thank you for the encouragement, Linda! Best of luck in the contest. :)

Reply
Melissa Finnegan link
9/11/2013 03:59:01 am

I have learned too, that time does heal the wounds of rejection or crits when it come to my writing. I have yet to submit my manuscript but I know the rejections will come,it doesn't mean I have to like though, right?

Thanks for the giveaway :)

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:24:16 am

Absolutely right, Melissa. :) Thanks for stopping by!

Reply
Loraine Ertelt
9/11/2013 04:01:03 am

Great post and the pic of the kitty in the box is absolutely adorable! I would love to own a bookstore with a couple of cats to lounge around.

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:25:24 am

I know, right? I knew the moment I saw it that it was right for this post. :) That sounds heavenly!

Reply
Katie J.
9/11/2013 04:36:27 am

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” ― Maya Angelou

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:26:46 am

That's a beautiful quote, Katie. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by! :)

Reply
JOYE
9/11/2013 05:43:56 am

I surfed in from another site. Glad I did. I am always looking for new authors to read. Your books sound like the kind I enjoy.

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:30:47 am

Thanks for visiting, Joye! I'm hoping to host a giveaway with my books here in the next few weeks/months. :)

Reply
Maxie Anderson link
9/11/2013 11:30:56 am

Hi Anna, sounds like you will be fine. I've heard the others say you have to try and try again. You will find the right publisher when it's GOD's timing. God Bless you. Sure would love to win these books.
MAXIE

Reply
Anna
9/12/2013 12:35:53 am

Thank you, Maxie. You are absolutely right. Good luck in the giveaway! :)

Reply
Janet Estridge
9/12/2013 01:15:54 am

All in God's timing and not ours. I've learned that lesson many a time. Thanks for the giveaway.

Reply
Barbara Thompson
9/12/2013 10:53:24 am

My worst rejection is when I really knew my Father didn't care about me, but Thank God, I have a heavenly Father.

Reply
Anna Weaver
9/12/2013 12:53:13 pm

You're welcome, Janet. Thanks for dropping by! :)

Reply
Anna Weaver
9/12/2013 12:55:33 pm

That breaks my heart, Barbara, but all praise be to the loving Father who never leaves us nor forsakes us. Thank you for sharing. :)

Reply
CaraG
9/12/2013 08:02:50 pm

Found your site via Seekerville. What I take away from reading your post today is that rejection isn't the end but the beginning. Shines a whole different light on the process. Good luck.

Reply
Anna Weaver
9/12/2013 11:00:36 pm

Thank you, Cara! And thanks for stopping by! :)

Reply
Jasmine A.
9/15/2013 02:56:24 am

Since I am not a writer, not much talent in that direction just a talent for reading, I haven't gotten any rejection letters.

So glad you didn't take that rejection letter completely to heart. Keep up your good work!

Blessings!
Jasmine A.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Inspirational author. Newbie Air Force wife. Jesus Follower. Recovering musician. Dachshund mama. Coffee addict. Book reviewer/giveaway-er.

    Categories

    All
    Alexis Goring
    Alice K. Arenz
    Alicia G. Ruggieri
    Allyson Carter
    Ane Mulligan
    Angela Meyer
    Angela Ruth Strong
    Author Mini View
    Author Mini-view
    Becca Whitham
    Becky Melby
    Becky Wade
    Bethany House
    Beverages And Books Blog Tour
    Blogging For Books
    Blurb2Book
    Bonnie Leon
    BookLook Bloggers
    Book Reviews
    Book Spotlight
    Camille Eide
    Carla Olson Gade
    Carole Brown
    Chana Keefer
    Charity Bishop
    Christine Lindsay
    Christy Barritt
    Cynthia Ruchti
    Darlene Franklin
    Dawn Crandall
    Debra E. Marvin
    Deeanne Gist
    Denise Hunter
    Devotional
    Diann Mills
    Dina L. Sleiman
    Eileen Key
    Erica Vetsch
    First Page
    For Authors
    Giveaway
    Giveaways
    Harry Wegley
    Heather Blanton
    Jackie Zack
    James R Callan
    Jan Cline
    JC Morrows
    Jeff Goins
    Jennifer AlLee
    Jennifer Slattery
    Jen Turano
    Jerusha Agen
    Jessica Snell
    Joann Durgin
    Jody Hedlund
    Johnnie Alexander
    Jo Huddleston
    Julie Arduini
    Julie Fugate
    Julie Klassen
    Julie Lessman
    Karen Witemeyer
    Kathleen Y'Barbo
    Katie Ganshert
    Kristy Cambron
    Leeann Betts
    Lillian Duncan
    Lisa Belcastro
    Lisa Bergren
    Lisa Orchard
    Lisa Phillips
    Litfuse
    Love Inspired
    Love Inspired Historical
    Love Inspired Suspense
    Lynnette Bonner
    Margaret Brownley
    Mary Connealy
    Mary Weber
    Melanie Dickerson
    Mesu Andrews
    Michelle Ule
    Monthly Newsletter
    Morgan Busse
    Myra Johnson
    Netgalley
    New Book
    Pam Hillman
    Patrick E. Craig
    Paula Mowery
    Rachael Phillips
    Regina Jennings
    Regina Scott
    Ruth Logan Herne
    Sandra Ardoin
    Sarah E. Ladd
    Sheryl Marcoux
    Singing Librarian Book Tours
    Siri Mitchell
    Susan Sleeman
    Tanya Eavenson
    Terri Wangard
    Tessa Afshar
    Thanksgiving
    Tina Radcliffe
    Victoria Bylin
    WaterBrook Multnomah
    Weaver Happenings
    Yvonne Anderson

    Follow this blog

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.