How
Rejection Becomes a Writers Tonic
by Michael Levy
A paradox in every writer's life is the fact that mainstream agencies,
publishers and media will accept mediocre
works/projects from famous people while
they reject meaningful, eloquent compositions
from unknown writers. The criteria for
such erroneous deeds of ignorance are
money - Lots and lots of money.
Green crinkly fields of the stuff require
harvesting to satisfy hungry company directors
who are haunted by the need for greed.
Perhaps this section of society has always
thought this way but I feel it is now
more obvious and pronounced.
Many people in positions of power in the media ignore unknown writers.
They have no time to consider inconsequential
talent that cannot make instant money
mounds …Cast off as insignificant,
a talented writer can starve while famous
people gather accolades and praise for
unwise works of mediocrity.
Does this mean that unknown writers should stop writing and get
another job? Yes, they should if all they
seek from writing is fame and fortune.
Most writers will not make a mountain
of money writing, so if they are not enjoying
their craft they should find something
else they do enjoy doing.
The writers who find no bliss in their compositions and do prostitute
their soul just for money sake will find
little contentment or joy with their moneyed
achievements. The best the so-called money
spinning ones will acquire is misery in
luxurious surroundings.
Of course, some writers enjoy their work
and do make a lot of money. When they
write for the correct reasons, their wealth
is enjoyable in contented bliss. This
credo holds true in all walks of life.
A writer should write for the joy, love, enthusiasm and passion
in the meaning of their work. Many challenges
will be sent their way to test they resolve
and happiness. Speaking of challenges,
an unusual incident enfolded my way recently
that can shed some light on what goes
on behind the closed doors of people in
power, who make decisions on who or what
to accept/reject.
A few weeks ago, I read in the newspapers
that Starbucks were going to put books
in their coffee shops. They hired William
Morris agency to stock their coffee shops
with books of appeal to customers.
Since the beginning of contemporary society, people have gathered
in teahouses and coffee shops to discuss
the current events pertaining to the meaning
of life. So I thought as an inspirational
philosopher, what have I to lose by contacting
William Morris agency in New York and
see how the land lies.
I rang their New York office, I was requested
to send my three proposed books to them,
and they would give the books a fair review
for acquisition for the Starbucks project.
So, without any more to do, I mailed my
three latest book titles. Two weeks later,
I received the following reply:
June 12, 2006
Dear Mr. Levy,
"Thank you for allowing William Morris to Consider Ultra -
Violet Haiku Delights, The Joys of Live
Alchemy, and Invest With A Genius. We
have had the opportunity to review your
submissions, and while we appreciate your
interest in Starbucks initiative, we have
concluded that your project is not a right
match for Starbucks at this time."
That is all fine and dandy...rejection is part of any writer's
world and meant to be tasted and savored
many times. However, there was just one
slight, significant point they had overlooked.
They never opened one single page of any
of the books I sent them. How did I know
you may ask.
All new books come from the printers with an invisible seal that
seems to make the pages stick together.
Once the cover is opened it raises a little,
it rarely sits flush to the other pages.
My sixth sense told me the reviewer had
not seen inside the books. I felt they
were returned without anyone reading one
word inside the books.
Consequently, since their letter said they had reviewed my books,
I contacted them on 19 June. After much
reluctance to speak with me, I was connected
to one of the people who make the decisions.
He told me they had not yet decided which
type of books or genre they wanted to
include.
I ask why they rejected my books without ever reading one page
beyond the cover. He apologized and admitted
they had not opened any pages before rejecting
the books.
He then remarked, "In a perfect world we would have read some
part of the books before rejecting them"
After I stopped laughing I thought ...
Oh to live in a perfect world!
He also asked me to send them back for review. I directed him to
my website so that he could read the reviews,
then he could contact me and I would resend
them. So far, he has not phoned and lucky
for me I did not hold my breath waiting
for a reply.
Writers should understand that many times when publishers, agents
or media reject their works - the quality,
style and content has nothing to do with
the negative response. It is just the
fact there are erroneous systems now in
place, embedded in most mainstream publishing
and media establishments. The ritual of
rejection without true cause or reason
for worthy submissions is conducted by
people who are programmed by the misfortunate
circumstances of receiving a "good
education" at university and not
knowing how to apply it for the benefit
of humanity with compassion and caring.
As Oscar Wilde, so aptly put it... "Anything
worth knowing cannot be taught."
This is just one of many awkward episodes every writer will face
in their writing lifetime. The most important
point of any writers life is the reality
they are genuinely enjoying their works
whether it is published or not.
Rejection can be the best tonic for writers who understand no-body
or no-thing can stop them from savoring
the joys of their inspirational craft.
The act of writing in itself generates
success.
Writers do not need permission to breath, nor do they require permission
to write. Opinions of other people are
of no consequence to writers who develop
the skills to write for gratification
of writing, no other reason is necessary.
When a writer develops the habit to love and enjoy rejection...To
expect all their works to be rejected
in a mode of delight. So much so, that
if or when their work is accepted, the
disappointment of the acceptance does
not disturb their balance.
Who knows, after a while of acceptance, they may even get accustomed
to enjoying both the ambiance of rejection
and acceptance ... Never more to distinguish
between the joys, both convey.
Singing in spirits gilded cage
the wise bird
seldom looks towards the open door
_ Michael Levy.
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Michael Levy is the author of seven books. His inspirational poetry
and essays now grace many assorted web
sites, journals and magazines throughout
the world. He is expert columnist for
Positive Health magazine, the leading
complimentary health publication in the
UK. http://www.positivehealth.com/
Levy has also been published by the The Royal Collage of Psychiatry
many times over the past three yearshttp://www.google.com/u/rcpsych?q=Michael+Levy&B1=Search
Michael's new books - "The Joys of Live Alchemy" - "Ultra-Violt
Haiku Delights" - are now available
at all bookstores. http://www.pointoflife.com/
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