Last week I  touched on American Idol and it’s correlation to navigating the publishing world. You don’t see it, well let me explain a little (if you don’t watch the show, I think you will still get what I am talking about):

Think about the times they give a singer constructive criticism–like that Janis Joplin sounding chick from last year. Simon told her she’d be great as a cover artist doing Janice. He was saying she could sing, and have a niche–maybe not the niche she wanted but still he pointed her somewhere. But to her she heard “We don’t want you.” And if you watch the show, you saw her go ballistic and curse a blue streak after. And then she said she’d go out for actressing (WTF?!?!). Cut back to this year and she’d changed, A LOT, mellowed even and they didn’t like her one whit–she’d lost the edge she’d had the year before. Did she listen to what they told her last year. NOPE. And did it cost her in the long run? YEP. :diebastard:

Despite how the judges may offend or placate or just plain scoff they all do know their business, have been at it for years and (despite the obvious rating grabbing aspects of their *unique* personalities) they know of what they speak. Plain and simple. So heed what they say. How many times in just the first few weeks do they stress song choice song choice song choice? During Hollywood week, I’d say 95% of the ones in attendance are pretty darn good singers, so if they don’t make it out, 9 times outta 10 they picked a crappy song not suited for them.

How does this translate to writers, well… how many times have you known an author who got a rejection, but it was a “we like your writing, but this doesn’t fit our line” or something to that effect? They Publisher isn’t saying it’s bad, it’s just not in the right niche. Think about this. Publishers DON’T have to say anything past “No, thank you” (And some times the “No thank you” is a stretch, you can hear horror stories of the note cards, sticky notes, no thanks on someone’s else’s cover letter–yep–you will get a bunch) so when they do give something other than a Nope, read/listen to what they are saying. Act accordingly. :thumb:

Once you start through the paces of rejections (more than likely there WILL be rejections) if you gnash you teeth rant for a few days then get back to work, then that’s probably pretty normal–at least that’s my MO. If you’re first instict is to curl up into the the fetal position, cry for days, call everyone a poopy-head and vow to nevah write again–yeah, this may not be the business for you.

Again to AI, think on how the contestants react and how the judges react to them. When they nod and ask good questions and you can see the improvement, the judges smile and whisper to one another nodding. If however, they argue or tell them they’re stupid, you get the bugged out gaze, “O” mouth circle and a grimace or two. They are completely put-off and kick your ass to the curb (unless you’re that freaking weird chick, with the bouncing frightening cackle whom I won’t even both to name ’cause she makes me so damn mad I have blocked her from my head–anyhoo…)

The show is a great example for traversing the world of words. Watch and learn peeps, watch and learn  :popcorn: