View From the Bushes

The big news is that I finally heard back on the WoTC Novel Open Call. It was a rejection letter. I can't say I'm surprised, but I can't say that I'm not disappointed either. As I cast about for a reason why it was rejected (other than just poor writing and a bad plot), I can see where it may have been too close to the D&D based novels they already publish. Also, the fact that it was only the first of a very long series couldn't have worked in its favor either. I've often thought that what I really need to do if I'm serious about being a writer is write a stand-alone novel, sell that and then pitch a series. I really think it's unlikely that any publisher (regardless of what they say) is going to commit to a series from a first-time author.

There are plenty of positives to be found in the experience. I'm a lot closer to having a finished novel than I was one year ago, I have more experience in submitting stuff, I have another rejection letter to add to my collection, and my inflated ego is now a little closer to matching reality. The biggest positive has more to do with my laziness than anything actually positive: that would be that I don't have to spend 10 frantic days wrapping everything up and furiously polishing out all the imperfections. The negatives to the rejection are legion, but somewhat paradoxically not getting to spend 10 frantic days writing has to be high on that list too.

Drinking deep from my cocktail of emotions
Ross