Hi Julie, it took me a while to read your post. You are very brave for exposing your hurt and disappointment. Although it is no consolation, I had a similar experience with a co-author friend. How much energy it costs us to deal with the publishing world...! After the disappointment, I returned to what really feeds me. And I wrote, I wrote, I wrote. Whether they publish me or not. I keep writing. A heartfelt hug, Julie!
Sending hugs right back to you. You are so right- the path to wholeness is in the writing, not in external validation. I know when the world feels off-kilter- it's when I'm not writing. All the rest is optional. I'm so glad you are here! xoxo
Oh, Julie, I am so sorry this happened to you. But like what others said, thank goodness you found out earlier than being stuck in a situation you couldn't get out of later on. You WILL find a publisher who will foster and dedicate resources and time to really caring about you, the writer, and your book. You're a beautiful writer. It will come, I just know it! Hugs!
I'm really sorry this happened, Julie. It's shocking that someone in a professional setting could behave so unprofessionally, but like you and Kathryn said - you're fortunate they showed you who they were up front. Believe them and walk away grateful they did. There will be better opportunities for you, I'm sure of it. Your writing is so goddamn beautiful. You will find the right fit and they'll treat you with the respect you deserve as the amazing talent you are. Hugs, my friend.
Well, this isn't the column I wanted to read. In a very few personal and professional situations, I've been "cut off" and hate it. What you're left with is the cold knowledge that you've just been hit-and-run and are now the victim of another party's judgement, unable to penetrate the wall that's been thrown up in your face. Here's the good news: you don't have to communicate with that party anymore. Whatever basis they had for judging you was rendered indefensible when they severed relations and slammed the door. Rest assured that your cause is just, you're on the good side of this, free for the next time a publisher comes calling.
Isn't that the truth! I do feel freed, in that strange way when one has had a near miss. These are such awesome sentiments, Mark. You absolutely understand. Thank you, my friend.
I'm so sorry, Julie. I can only imagine how painful this must be for you. Reaching out to us, your writing community, took courage. I'm glad you did. Be kind to yourself. I like the advice of one podcaster: You know you're getting closer if your rejections are getting better. By that I mean, you were this close! If one offer came your way, then another will surely follow.
Thank you for this beautiful message, Nancy. There's always a toss-up between developing a thicker skin, because most of us face far more rejection than we do those magical, elusive Yeses, and keeping that sensitive skin open to feeling deeply, even when it's painful. Grace is in feeling that pain and be open to what it can teach and how you can grow.
Oh Julie--I'm so sorry this happened. Thank you for your courage in sharing. Writing itself is such an act of bravery, and then, on top of that, to send those tender words into the black hole of the world... May we all have your grace.
Kris, you and your heartbreak are why I shared this. It's a way for me to hold all writers grappling with rejection - immediate and past - to expand my own heart so that it's big enough to share other's pain. Keep going, dear writer. I'm cheering you on!
What a title for this post—out of concern, I read this the second it came in. Julie, this sucks. I'm so sorry this happened to you. But I too thought, immediately—thank god this publisher showed you her cards so early in the game. This would not have gone well. Because I know you. You don't just want "a" book, you want a beautiful, meaningful book, one you can be proud of, and with such unethical behavior on the part of your business partner, you would not have been heading down that road. I see you, I hear you, I'm with you. Many, many hugs.
The embrace is felt and returned, my dear friend. I know you the frustrations - and the joys - of this journey, and what a privilege it is to walk this road. I so agree- I do feel that the universe intervened and that there is a better plan for the book, and for me, out there. Just praying for patience and guidance to make good decision and to write good words :-)
Hi Julie, it took me a while to read your post. You are very brave for exposing your hurt and disappointment. Although it is no consolation, I had a similar experience with a co-author friend. How much energy it costs us to deal with the publishing world...! After the disappointment, I returned to what really feeds me. And I wrote, I wrote, I wrote. Whether they publish me or not. I keep writing. A heartfelt hug, Julie!
Sending hugs right back to you. You are so right- the path to wholeness is in the writing, not in external validation. I know when the world feels off-kilter- it's when I'm not writing. All the rest is optional. I'm so glad you are here! xoxo
Oh, Julie, I am so sorry this happened to you. But like what others said, thank goodness you found out earlier than being stuck in a situation you couldn't get out of later on. You WILL find a publisher who will foster and dedicate resources and time to really caring about you, the writer, and your book. You're a beautiful writer. It will come, I just know it! Hugs!
Thank you, Chris! I am so grateful for the support and the courage it gives me to face whatever is next with grace. Hugs and hugs back to you! xoxo
I'm really sorry this happened, Julie. It's shocking that someone in a professional setting could behave so unprofessionally, but like you and Kathryn said - you're fortunate they showed you who they were up front. Believe them and walk away grateful they did. There will be better opportunities for you, I'm sure of it. Your writing is so goddamn beautiful. You will find the right fit and they'll treat you with the respect you deserve as the amazing talent you are. Hugs, my friend.
Oh Kelly, what a joy and a comfort to hear from you and to read your sweet words. Thank you, gorgeous one. So many hugs to you!
Well, this isn't the column I wanted to read. In a very few personal and professional situations, I've been "cut off" and hate it. What you're left with is the cold knowledge that you've just been hit-and-run and are now the victim of another party's judgement, unable to penetrate the wall that's been thrown up in your face. Here's the good news: you don't have to communicate with that party anymore. Whatever basis they had for judging you was rendered indefensible when they severed relations and slammed the door. Rest assured that your cause is just, you're on the good side of this, free for the next time a publisher comes calling.
---clem
Isn't that the truth! I do feel freed, in that strange way when one has had a near miss. These are such awesome sentiments, Mark. You absolutely understand. Thank you, my friend.
💛
I'm so glad you are here, Ryan.
I'm so sorry, Julie. I can only imagine how painful this must be for you. Reaching out to us, your writing community, took courage. I'm glad you did. Be kind to yourself. I like the advice of one podcaster: You know you're getting closer if your rejections are getting better. By that I mean, you were this close! If one offer came your way, then another will surely follow.
Thank you for this beautiful message, Nancy. There's always a toss-up between developing a thicker skin, because most of us face far more rejection than we do those magical, elusive Yeses, and keeping that sensitive skin open to feeling deeply, even when it's painful. Grace is in feeling that pain and be open to what it can teach and how you can grow.
I hear you. Being patient during the querying and submitting process is really, really hard. It's agonizing.
Oh Julie--I'm so sorry this happened. Thank you for your courage in sharing. Writing itself is such an act of bravery, and then, on top of that, to send those tender words into the black hole of the world... May we all have your grace.
Thank you for the grace of your words, Jenny. I feel the support so deeply! xoxoxo
I just received an agent rejection last night and your post was one I needed this morning...thank you for sharing your experience.
Kris, you and your heartbreak are why I shared this. It's a way for me to hold all writers grappling with rejection - immediate and past - to expand my own heart so that it's big enough to share other's pain. Keep going, dear writer. I'm cheering you on!
What a title for this post—out of concern, I read this the second it came in. Julie, this sucks. I'm so sorry this happened to you. But I too thought, immediately—thank god this publisher showed you her cards so early in the game. This would not have gone well. Because I know you. You don't just want "a" book, you want a beautiful, meaningful book, one you can be proud of, and with such unethical behavior on the part of your business partner, you would not have been heading down that road. I see you, I hear you, I'm with you. Many, many hugs.
The embrace is felt and returned, my dear friend. I know you the frustrations - and the joys - of this journey, and what a privilege it is to walk this road. I so agree- I do feel that the universe intervened and that there is a better plan for the book, and for me, out there. Just praying for patience and guidance to make good decision and to write good words :-)