Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Unpublished and Unsung

I'm so depressed. We've pretty much all been sick, and to top off these very horrible times, I've submitted three essays and seven photographs for either publication or contests and they have all been turned down. And I haven't been paid for the one essay that got published. I'm hip deep in PMS-induced self pity.

I need to make something positive happen. I need to accomplish something and not feel that I can't get out of my own way.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hang in there!

Rejection is an inevitable part of the writer's life.

Each rejection gets you one step closer to acceptance -- that's my mantra. Heaven knows I've gotten gazillion rejections. Two more came in yesterday's mail. I haven't opened them yet.

P.H. said...

Thank you for sharing. I'll follow your advice and your mantra.

Idiot Cook said...

PtCakes!!!! I was worried that you and the rest of the family were going to get what your middle one had!!!!!! I'm SO sorry to hear you've been sick, and I hope you feel better soon.

As for the rejections, you're right--it's the worst feeling in the world--I got a rejection last week as well. I hang mine up in my office. One of my writing profs in college said you can't call yourself a writer until you can wallpaper your room with rejections...I've since heard many writers echo similar sentiments.

Tell Chris instead of painting the kitchen, you're going to hang rejection letters :)

I think we're going to need to have a Rejection Letter Party soon--we'll get together and bad-mouth those meanie editors who are too shortsighted to see our brilliance. :)

As for payment, did you send an actual invoice to Mr. M? If not, consider doing so because then there's a paper trail. And you can stipulate payment terms (30 days, 60 days). I've always had to invoice editors (from the Globe to WD). And if you already DID send an invoice and it's past due, then send a polite follow-up to Mr. M letting him know it's past due, that you know it's not his fault, and to whom in the accounting department should you direct your query. That's usually enough to get them to cut a check ASAP.

Are you feeling well enough to go to see Jodi Picoult with Big Mama tonight? That might put you in a good mindset.

Hang in there, my friend! You're a GREAT writer. I mean that.

Anonymous said...

I never needed to invoice SM, but I also wasn't in a hurry to get checks.

At any rate, a polite invoice wouldn't hurt.

I agree you should go out with Big Mama tonight if your health is up to it. Seeing people tends to lift me up. I hope it's the same for you.

DawnApril said...

That's how I feel too PT. I guess it's a family thing. my PMS is apparently going for a world record. Tommorow we shall wallow in self pity along with Mr. Needy Doggie and then we shall drink Cognac until we vomit on the dining room table. But I only have the cognac you gave me. So that might not work. We'll just get you on a good caffeine buzz because that always cheers me up. Oh, but we're cheering you up. Sorry, Charley, no can do.

Anonymous said...

Feeling any better now? I hope so