43 Comments
founding

Hang in there. And just remember the publishing industry is failing because its business model and the dysfunctional ecosystem it created sucks major ass, not because there's a shortage of talented writers and great people out there creating amazing work.

Never give up. Never surrender.

And never forget: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯¯

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I often wonder if there is a better model that sits between self-publishing and agented representation. For a long time it was indie publishers. The little gals and guys that knew enough about the industry to make a dent. However, even that doesn't seem to cover the spread... I'm rambling... I feel your pain. I have one out for consideration now. It is my last submission. Everything moving forward will be held for self-publication or go on Substack. I... feel... your... pain.

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Sounds like a shitty week. I've come to believe there is no there there when it comes to being published. It's not life changing and yet we still pursue it as though it is. The joy of doing the work and sharing the work is all I've come to pursue as a daily practice. As for contests that ask you to pay them to reject you? It would be criminal if it weren't just a response by a failing industry to try to generate enough revenue to survive. It's a form of cannibalism. Keep your chin up. Your writing is wonderful.

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I so relate and have been relating for forty years. Here's my gripe: https://timosner.substack.com/p/genie-in-a-bottle

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Mar 21, 2023·edited Mar 21, 2023Liked by Meg Oolders

I hear ya! I Hang in there. I love your stories, imagination and the brightness you bring here. Here's my take on the whole publishing saga. I have not submitted in a few months because it started interfering with my writing. This is a messed up "industry". I've had rude experiences that tell me there are a lot of angry, insecure, dissatisfied people here. The joke to me is that it's an industry that's acts all holier-than-thou at the same time that it is actually reckless in how it treats people. I've come to writing and submitting my work later-ish in life (in my 50s) and spent most of my career in corporate/tech world where - horror of horrors - the people and how they treat each other is vastly (hold on to your seats) better! I only mention this because the publishing industry constantly takes swipes at the for-profit world while carrying on as it is. The market doesn't solve every problem in the world but, as I was telling my husband, the civilizing effect of market forces is not to be underrated. I need to write about that someday...

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It’s a hard-knock life for us

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I feel like I want to offer some unsolicited advice, but also that there is no advice, unsolicited or not, that "fixes" the feelings around submissions and rejection, so instead I'll just say...the times I've most regretted were the fallow periods I created surrounding the rejections.

The long, endless stretches either waiting for a response (seriously, months stacked on top of months) or following a response (more months gone). The rejections stung; I chose to create nothing out of protest. I wish I could remind myself of two things: to write the best I can for the readers I already have, and to share my work with the people who already understand it.

Nothing fixes the dog-poop episodes. But your work has value -- full stop.

(And thank you for including my recent newsletter in WMMC! It's an honor!)

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founding

Jeez, yes, all those things the other people said 👆plus fuck ‘em! 🖕And by the way, I like the snappy bounce in your non-fiction.

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And Meg I LOVE your dividers... I need to learn how to do that. Meanwhile I bought this set online... (https://app.gumroad.com/d/5a5e912474e1d4d904b294abc2fd74bc).

AND you should monetize yours. They're so lovely.

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Down with traditional publishing. Better models will emerge. Substack is one, but it isn't the only. And in time, I do believe that the enduring community of passionate readers and writers will pave a better path for horse-I-mean-hard-working authors to get compensated.

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I agree with what everyone else said. Keep your chin up, Meg!

I really enjoyed the new segment, and thanks so much for sharing my story. I’m happy you enjoyed it. (Also, damn you, taxes - gah!)

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I'm a cryer too.

However.

Crying annoys? my husband???

So I have learned to stifle it in a way...

Or transform it I guess.

Every rejection is one No closer to a Yes.

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