A Rejection Letter Doesn’t Change Your Why

Last Friday was National Day On Writing and the trending “#” was #WhyIWrite.  I loved reading the answers that other’s gave and I truly enjoyed the self-exploration to uncover and clarify some of the main “Whys” behind my own #WhyIWrite.

If you read my last post, you saw some of these responses:

And

I write to SOW!

About 15 minutes after I shared my “Why”, I received a publishers response regarding my book proposal, a response I have been checking email about 10 times a day for the last 3 months for. (Ask anyone who has submitted a book proposal and that 10 times a day may actually be an understatement:)

Sadly the response was not exactly what I had hoped for but it was incredibly kind, offering encouragement and wise advice.

Here are some of the highlights:

Dear Katie,

First, let me apologize for how long it’s taken me to respond to your submission. We’re just coming out of a busy season of releases, and I’m finally coming up for air.

It was such a pleasure to meet you at She Speaks this summer, and I hope your time there was fruitful and motivating! You’ve got a terrific premise for this book, and it’s clear that there’s such a heart and passion behind this message.

Unfortunately, it’s not a good fit for _____________ at this time. You’ve done a lot of work on platform building, but I’d need to see a stronger following before we could move forward on this. Personally, I think your next step should be to start a podcast—I think you could bring a unique voice to the table!

Warmly,

I removed the publisher house and name but I wanted you to savor what I believe to be one of the most helpful and encouraging rejections I have ever gotten, and I 100% mean that.  Although I would have loved a

“WE LOVE YOUR PREMISE! HERE IS AN OFFER AND LETS GET STARTED!”

I also love the sincerity, thoughtfulness and encouragement she blessed me with. She left me words that moved me to keep moving and that is a gift!

When I looked at the timeline of events last Friday, it almost took my breath away when I recognized God’s sincerity, thoughtfulness and encouragement. HE had been writing words on my heart, words that moved me to keep moving and therefore I #WriteOn.

God spent half a day reminding me of #WhyIWrite. When I first read the rejection, my knee-jerk reaction was a negative self-whisper,

“You are not good enough and never will be.”

But before that LIE LANDED, I heard Holy Spirit even louder,

“Does this rejection letter change your “WHY”?

The answer to that question is a resounding NO!

The process of writing  my first “One Sheet” and “Book Proposal” was priceless and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity She Speaks provides for aspiring authors.

Below is the “One Sheet” I prepared and submitted at She Speaks 2017 .

I would love your prayers and appreciate any advice you may have, as I forge ahead with self-publishing the book I know the Lord is writing in and through me,

“When Ruins Sing: The Remix of our Resurrected Lives”

Thank you readers for being a part of my journey.  I can’t wait to see what ONLY THE LORD CAN DO!

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