Rejection Perfection
Writer: Cara Kagan
I know this may sound a little arrogant. But here goes: When I set out to write a novel, I wasn’t all that used to rejection—professionally, at least. Sure, growing up, I’d had my share of it romantically, but I’m married 31 years to an amazing man, so all’s well that ends well, at least in matters of the heart.
I was always cast as the lead in school and camp plays and was named editor of all the literary magazines and yearbooks. Since I applied early decision to college and was accepted, I never received any of those dreaded skinny envelopes whose contents regretted to inform me I would have to go elsewhere for my higher education.
When I graduated from college, I got the first job I applied for, even if it wasn’t the one of my dreams. I pretty much landed every gig I wanted after that, gaining some success as a top editor of women’s magazines. In fact, I refused far more jobs than I accepted. One day three major magazines offered me three different major positions within minutes of each other. But all of that was about to change dramatically.
Great Expectations
While in the middle of a particularly rough time caring for my four elderly parents, who happened to be in four different hospitals simultaneously, I decided to take a creative writing workshop. I figured I’d earned two hours to myself every week. My novel grew from a prompt the teacher gave us. The class was so positive about my resulting piece and its characters that it urged me to extend it into a short story, which got even more enthusiastic feedback. So, I began trying to write a full-fledged novel that also received praise and accolades at several different workshops.
A fellow student who was a published author and editor offered to edit my manuscript gratis so he could be part of a “best-selling novel.” My brother’s friend, a literary agent (who didn’t rep friends), read it, gave me some feedback, and assured me a top agent would pick it up easy peasy lemon squeezy, and even gave me a list of them to query.
The First Cut
At first, things seemed to be going well. Every agent I queried requested more pages, chapters, and even the entire manuscript. And then the axe fell and at an alarming rate. My book didn’t “fit their list” or wasn’t the type of novel they took on. Some simply said, “Not for me.” A few mentioned that they couldn’t relate to my protagonist, who was essentially me, which was especially heartbreaking. Some said the plot didn’t move quickly enough, which I found perplexing since my teachers and fellow students called my manuscript a “wild ride.” A few, and I mean a very few, agents took the time to give some deep and meaningful feedback, which I filed away as I doggedly pursued other “lesser” agents.
Reality Check
As the rejections started to pile up to around the hundred mark, it became clear that it was unlikely I’d get an agent. So, I sat down with the more detailed rejections and did a significant rewrite. When I felt as ready as I’d ever be, I started emailing small, independent publishers that didn’t require agents. And wow, that first rejection was the meanest I’ve ever received. It actually made me cry. But then, one day, when I’d given up all hope, an editor at Wild Rose Press told me she loved my novel and was thrilled to extend an offer.
Not out of the Woods Yet
That was a little over a year ago. I had a brief joyous rejection reprieve during the editing process, where I could immerse myself happily in my book. But now that it’s out and about, which, of course, is thrilling, the rejections seem to be piling up again. This time, they’re from podcasters, news outlets, and bloggers who don’t want to cover me, bookstores who don’t want me to host a reading there even if I provide the wine, cheese, captive audience, and book sales, and libraries that seem to have better offers from other professionals who volunteer programming. But I will not be deterred. Because as this whole process has taught me, you just need “one” person to believe in you.
About the Writer
Cara Kagan is a writer and musician who has contributed to many national magazines, including Self, Shape, Fitness, Glamour, Real Simple, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar. She got her start writing beauty as an editor for the fashion and beauty bible Women’s Wear Daily, and then went on to become beauty and fitness director YM, Mode, and Elle magazines. She is most proud of creating Girl magazine, the first multicultural and multi-size fashion and beauty magazine for teens, and is the author of The Rise, Fall, and Return of Sarah Mandelbaum (Wild Rose Press, June, 2023).
Website: carakagan.com