The Year 2004

Score:  12 rejects

3 acceptances

2 acceptances of picture books

1 acceptance of a children's short story

 

Grand Total for 1999 - 2004:
102 rejects
54 acceptances
2 awards
3 reviews
1 interview
I won't complain!

My writing goals were: To get a picture book accepted by Charlesbridge Publishing. To FIND AN AGENT! To finish another pb. To sell another ms to Highlights. To write a chapter book. To start on another novel.

 

What happened: 1. I did TRY to find an agent--I got very close!  We'll see in 2005.

2. I got TWO picture books accepted by Charlesbridge, so I blew through that goal! 

3. I finished TWO different picture books. 

4. I sold a story to Highlights last year! 

5. I didn't start on another novel.  Maybe in 2005? 

6. I did not complete a chapterbook.

My rejections were fairly high this year but all of them are overshadowed by selling some great picture books.  I hope to sell more in 2005!  2004 will go down as a very good year for me!

December 28

Well, this will be my last entry.  I've decided to get a new website for the year 2005!  Let's see how this year went.  This was the best year I've ever had with TWO picture book sales to Charlesbridge!  I also had a short story sale to Highlights, so I'm really on a roll!   I had a publisher contact me about writing a picture book series, but it wasn't meant to be--I was notified that I made the top four candidates out of dozens of selected candidates, but ultimately, I wasn't selected.  They said they'd contact me for other jobs, though.  Sigh... Goals for next year will be to get an agent if I need one, to finish my novel, and to write another pb for Charlesbridge.  I also want to write other things--we'll see what God has in store!  I'm doing what He wishes! I hope to become a fulltime writer in 2005.  That would be a great goal.

November 29	Just received a 6 month personal rejection from Julie S-G of Dutton. I am quite perplexed by her rejection because she only gives praise to my ms but has to pass. WHY? I guess this is better than a form... In good news...Highlights just informed me that one of my stories will be published in August 2005 issue! Wee! Can't wait to see the finished story. I love the way they illustrate. It's like opening a Christmas package when the issue comes in the mail!
October 21	Sorry it's taken me so long to get back. I've been busy with my new job as a writing instructor! Whew! But rejections first--one nice, personal rejection from a Korean company--I came close but the committee ultimately rejected. And one personal form. Oh well! But that takes me to my 100th rejection!!! Should I celebrate?? Tee hee! Well, for 100 rejections, I've received lots of encouragement and have many achievements. I'm thankful for them, so I will celebrate! Whoopie!! Here's to more success with the next 100 rejections. Thank you, Lord!
August 31	Whoo hoo! Just got off the phone with Charlesbridge. They want the sequel to my first pb they accepted earlier this year! I'm on a roll! Thank you, Lord!! This acceptance took only one month. :-) :-) :-)
July 30	In the past month, I've received two, really nice, personal rejections and one personal form with a real live editor's signature! Sigh... :-(
June 16	Just received an acceptance of a query by an agent! Let's pray!
June 10	The editorial director at Marshall Cavendish just gave me about the best personal rejection I've received in a while! Wow! I've had really nice rejections lately. She gave me some real encouragement!
May 20	An 8 month personal rejection. Tricycle said they liked my writing and the story but they've already published something similar. I can always take rejections like that! They also included their catalog and highlighted the title that was similar. What a nice touch!
April 28	Oh my...I almost blew through all my goals in a few months! But it wasn't to be. I had a REALLY close call with an agent. She was thinking about representing my unfinished novel but decided to pass since it really needs to be finished...ah...I'm hoping to get an agent, though, once I finish. It's almost done!
March 27	WOW! True to their word, Charlesbridge got back to me FAST! They are offering me a contract for a picture book. Hooray! This took 8 months--they are a wonderful company to work with--I am very pleased. :-) :-) :-)
March 19	An editor at Charlesbridge updated me on my ms. They are still considering and I should know something shortly. I wonder what that means in editor-time? Tee hee!
March 5	The Pleasant Company wrote to say that they really liked my project idea but weren't prepared to publish it at the moment. Grr...
February 7	My website went down and I thought my website server folks were out to get my name, but it was just a misunderstanding...I was sweating it! I forgot to write in 2003 that Charlesbridge emailed to tell me that they liked my ms and were making changes. I wonder what that means? They haven't asked ME to change anything. Well, I'm hoping for that contract! :-)
February 3	One FORM with my name typed on it. I hate forms. And it didn't have the decency to even be a full page. :-( :-(
January 3	My goodness! A first EVER! I have NO rejections and ONE ACCEPTANCE! Just received my contract from Highlights for a young children's short story. Oh, I'm SOOOO happy. Thank you, Lord!! Whoopie! I think 2004 will be MY year! :-) Here are my writing goals for this year: To get a picture book accepted by Charlesbridge Publishing. To finish my current novel and FIND AN AGENT! To finish another pb. To sell another ms to Highlights. To write a chapter book. To start on another novel. Whew! Always the trooper. Always the optimist! Do YOU think my dreams will come true this year? Let's see...