Washington Irving was considered America’s first writer.  He wrote mostly short stories, and some of you may remember that he wrote Rip Van Winkle and also The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.   I mention this not because I am a student of literary history, but that I noticed on my book shelf, a very old version of Irving’s The Sketchbook which contains the two famous stories above.  This old book with musty yellow faded pages is a revised edition so I don’t know how old it is, but Irving’s introduction is dated 1848.  I found it in my father’s house, hidden away amongst other old books like Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, Abraham Lincoln (written by his close friend), The Last Days of Pompeii, Churchill’s diaries and more.  I consider these treasures of reading pleasure.  I love the old ways of writing in the 1800s, so formal and pleasant, even when chastising.  I must admit, I have no idea where my parents obtained these old works or whether they were read at all.

Here is my point: I am trying to get my new novel published and am frequently rejected by haughty literary agents and publishers.  While this is disappointing, I want to share with you that I opened up Irving’s The Sketchbook, and I simply read his introduction.  I will write to you in this piece, a brief paragraph of Irving’s rejection from a publisher, to show how difficult it seems to always have been, to achieve publication, even back in 1848: (the American publisher’s name was John Murray)

My Dear Sir:   I entreat you to believe that I feel truly obliged by your kind intentions towards me, and that I entertain the most unfeigned respect for your most tasteful talents.  My house is completely filled with workpeople at this time, and I have only an office to transact business in; and yesterday I was wholly occupied, or I should done myself the pleasure of seeing you.

If it would not suit me to engage in the publication of your present work, it is only because I do not see that scope in the nature of it which would enable me to make those satisfactory accounts between us, without which I really feel no satisfaction in engaging—but I will so all I can to promote their circulation, and shall me most ready to attend to any future plans of yours.

With much regard, I remain, dear sir, Your faithful servant,

John Murray

Washington Irving and The Sketch Book was rejected! Thrown to the streets!  And yet, by reading this, the rejection is so smoothly written, it is difficult for me at least, to see the rejection without careful inspection.

Eventually of course, Irving was published, in Great Britain, with the help of the famous poet and historical fiction writer, Sir Walter Scott, and the rest is literary history.

For a contrast, here are standard rejections that I receive now:  I am sorry, we will not be able to represent you at this time.  Have a good day.  Or, your book does not fit our company at this time, but we wish you much success. More commonly, however, I hear nothing back from them at all.

No matter how the rejection is worded, smooth and gentle or harsh and to the point, it doesn’t matter does it?  They are rejections.  I certainly am no Washington Irving, but like Irving, I shall endeavor to remain undeterred in this quest for publication of my little baby.

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