I feel all of this, currently 😂… I described it as random acts of discouragement. I know they are absolutely fantastic people with the best intentions and it’s just business, but it’s hard. Rooting you and your dummy on. May we sip something great together at the awards ceremonies that will come 💪💪💪
That's such a good phrase ha! I would get the nice comments and think "I've written emails before, I know you're just being nice." But I guess they didn't HAVE to say anything nice so I'll take it and try to not let it get me down too badly. And thank you!!! I can't wait to sit in our fancy clothes, sipping cocktails, eating hors d'oeuvres, and juggling all our awards. 😎
It's killer. One of my picturebooks had at least 23 drafts (and those are the typed ones. I lost count of the hand-scribbled versions that came before those!) But it did eventually get made and even won an award and recently a book shop owner referred to it as ‘a classic’ (despite it being only 4 years old) which made my year tbqh. So hang in there! I'm sure it will be worth it. And well done for persevering thus far ✊
Ah, I didn’t even think of all the scribblings in notebooks I have for this story… 🥲 And that’s wonderful news!—an award and deemed a “classic”! 🥰 Thank you!! Really hoping I hear something soon! This waiting game is HARD
Ahh this is so relatable, I’ve been through this process so many times! Fingers crossed your dummy will land on the right desk at the right moment and start its journey to the bookshop shelves!
Ha ha yes it is!! I still have a big pile of rejections 😭even though I’ve had some that have broken through… and thankyou!! So glad you enjoy my Substack! 🥰🥰
That James Acaster part of that season of Bake-off was so, so relatable. Also, side note: did you know that at one point his girlfriend (back in the day) left him...for Mr. Bean? I mean. All this is to say: rejection is just future comedy material, even though it doesn't feel like it at the time.
OMG YES!! I've been on a huge James Acaster hyper fixation lately. haha The "leaving him for Mr. Bean" really got me. 🥲 REJECTION IS FUTURE COMEDY MATERIAL! You're right and I'm going to use it! I think I'm far enough removed now. haha. And I just started an improv class 🤡
Ugh dummies really are dummies, aren't they. Obviously your idea is worth fighting for if it's survived this long! Fingers crossed for no more drafts and buckets of offers!
The journey is real real! As someone deep into book edits- for a book that is gonna be published— I feel ya on the pre-pitching edits and then the wild ride of pitching. Hope you get a yes soon!
Phew, Kayla, you deserve all of the Za'atar fries for the IMMENSE perseverance you've put into this book! Really hoping you'll get some happy news soon! 🥳
There should be a support group for authors/illustrators going through this. It's brutal, and at this point, after rejections and self-doubts and re-evaluating every decision that got me here, I have dropped all expectations and I'm running on the hope cool-aid! Hang in there Kayla! :D
There should!! Maybe substack can be the thing that helps connect us! It's really really tough....😩. For this second round my hopes are nowhere near where they were.
Good luck, Kayla! I hope this submission round brings you good news! I’m about to embark on the submission journey myself, so I feel you with the rounds of revisions it takes to get things ready. Cheering you on, crossing my fingers and toes for you!
Thank you thank you! I'll take all the crossed fingers and toes! And phew it's a PROCESS right?! I hope it's going smoothly for you at least! I want to see your dummy! 😬
I feel all of this, currently 😂… I described it as random acts of discouragement. I know they are absolutely fantastic people with the best intentions and it’s just business, but it’s hard. Rooting you and your dummy on. May we sip something great together at the awards ceremonies that will come 💪💪💪
That's such a good phrase ha! I would get the nice comments and think "I've written emails before, I know you're just being nice." But I guess they didn't HAVE to say anything nice so I'll take it and try to not let it get me down too badly. And thank you!!! I can't wait to sit in our fancy clothes, sipping cocktails, eating hors d'oeuvres, and juggling all our awards. 😎
It's killer. One of my picturebooks had at least 23 drafts (and those are the typed ones. I lost count of the hand-scribbled versions that came before those!) But it did eventually get made and even won an award and recently a book shop owner referred to it as ‘a classic’ (despite it being only 4 years old) which made my year tbqh. So hang in there! I'm sure it will be worth it. And well done for persevering thus far ✊
Ah, I didn’t even think of all the scribblings in notebooks I have for this story… 🥲 And that’s wonderful news!—an award and deemed a “classic”! 🥰 Thank you!! Really hoping I hear something soon! This waiting game is HARD
Crossing my fingers for you 🤞
Ahh this is so relatable, I’ve been through this process so many times! Fingers crossed your dummy will land on the right desk at the right moment and start its journey to the bookshop shelves!
Thank you!! Is it agony every time? 😅
Also I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading your Substack!
Ha ha yes it is!! I still have a big pile of rejections 😭even though I’ve had some that have broken through… and thankyou!! So glad you enjoy my Substack! 🥰🥰
I loved this! The other day I asked myself if this is what I do now. I write and make dummies? Best of luck to you and *your* dummies!
Ah, we're in it together!!! I hope all our dummies rise to the top! And that eventually we don't have to make them...😆
Oh this is all so totally relatable and funny to boot - thank you 🤩 😅 especially the ‘I drew a lion ‘ bit 😂
Haha thank you!!! Keeping it very real and vulnerable over here 😂
"I drew a lion today." 💀💀💀
I screamed out a laugh. You caught me good!
Hahah! 😅 I'm slowly relearning how to interact.
That James Acaster part of that season of Bake-off was so, so relatable. Also, side note: did you know that at one point his girlfriend (back in the day) left him...for Mr. Bean? I mean. All this is to say: rejection is just future comedy material, even though it doesn't feel like it at the time.
OMG YES!! I've been on a huge James Acaster hyper fixation lately. haha The "leaving him for Mr. Bean" really got me. 🥲 REJECTION IS FUTURE COMEDY MATERIAL! You're right and I'm going to use it! I think I'm far enough removed now. haha. And I just started an improv class 🤡
Yesssss on the James Acaster hyperfixation! And how awesome re: the improv class! 🥳
Wishing you all the luck Kayla~! I hope you get excellant news soon and your next zaatar fries will be celebration fries :)
Thank you!! 😭🥹💛 I'll eat so many celebration zaatar fries and toum, I'll smell like garlic for days!!! 🙌
Presently living in this same moment... Wishing you the best!
Ugh dummies really are dummies, aren't they. Obviously your idea is worth fighting for if it's survived this long! Fingers crossed for no more drafts and buckets of offers!
Dummies ARE big dummies! And thank you! I still believe in it! And I have two follow up ideas! Come on publishers!! Million dollar ideas here! 😅
Love this update and wishing you all the best! I can’t wait to see your book out in the world!
Thank you! 😭 I really really really hope it makes it!
The journey is real real! As someone deep into book edits- for a book that is gonna be published— I feel ya on the pre-pitching edits and then the wild ride of pitching. Hope you get a yes soon!
Thank you!!! How long was the pitching process for you?! Feels like it can take so long with how overworked and overloaded editors are.
Phew, Kayla, you deserve all of the Za'atar fries for the IMMENSE perseverance you've put into this book! Really hoping you'll get some happy news soon! 🥳
haha! Thank you!!!! I've been thinking about those fries again...😬 Maybe I deserve a little preemptive treat.
There should be a support group for authors/illustrators going through this. It's brutal, and at this point, after rejections and self-doubts and re-evaluating every decision that got me here, I have dropped all expectations and I'm running on the hope cool-aid! Hang in there Kayla! :D
There should!! Maybe substack can be the thing that helps connect us! It's really really tough....😩. For this second round my hopes are nowhere near where they were.
Good luck, Kayla! I hope this submission round brings you good news! I’m about to embark on the submission journey myself, so I feel you with the rounds of revisions it takes to get things ready. Cheering you on, crossing my fingers and toes for you!
Thank you thank you! I'll take all the crossed fingers and toes! And phew it's a PROCESS right?! I hope it's going smoothly for you at least! I want to see your dummy! 😬
Kayla, you're awesome! Wishing you ALL THE BIG-TIME BEST for this incredible project! Thank you so much for sharing your story. 🙌
Thank youuu! 😭 I feel like I don't know where to go from here if no one wants it. But we press onward! 🥲