Tuesday, June 28, 2011

*tap, tap, tap* Is this thing on?

Grinning, I plop down on the couch next to my sister. She raises her eyebrows so they almost look like question marks.

"I got a query rejection today," I say, still smiling like I used to on ice-cream day in kindergarten.

Her eyebrows now fall into a crease. She knows query rejections are usually followed by chocolate consumption, wallowing and/or a glass or three of wine. She is probably wondering if I've finally snapped. "Why are you --" she begins but, in my excitement, I interrupt.

"The agent said she recognized my name from Twitter and blogs."

"Oh," she says. It's all she needs to say. Because she's supported me on my writing journey since day one - and because she's my sister - she understands.

---

I put a lot of effort into my social media presence and I often sing the praises of twitter and blogging for writers. But even I have doubts sometimes. Is anybody really paying attention or am I just talking to myself on here?

So that little line in that email from the agent? It was like a warm wind filling my sails after several days of stagnant air. Yes, it's such a small thing to get excited about, but we really must celebrate even the tiniest of victories on this long obstacle-laden journey - if only to fend off cabin fever.

Critics will point out that I was still rejected. While that's true, I received a personalized email with a specific reason as to why. Which, as any querying writer will tell you, is golden.

What's my point? It's the same one I've been making all along: Social media can truly have a positive impact on your writing career, even before a book deal. It's worth it; someone is paying attention.

In the spirit of this post I invite all of you to post your social media links below - and to follow, interact with, encourage, build relationships with each other. I'll start.

Twitter @sarah_nicolas
My blog at www.sarahnicolas.com
My tumblr

And if you do go over to my blog today, I'm talking about a new interactive blog project I'm pretty excited about!

15 comments:

  1. That's great, Sarah! It's so nice to know that all the hard work has paid off....it makes the rejection easier to swallow, right? Next time will be a request!

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  2. That's a good idea.

    Here's mine:
    www.facebook.com/rjbany
    www.twitter.com/rebeccabany.com
    www.rebeccabany.com
    http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/becbany

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  3. Oh! I also forgot to say... I'm going to do a small giveaway (signed copy of City of Fallen Angels) when we reached 500 followers. I'm sure we'll pass that in the next two weeks so I'll be doing that giveaway on my next post.

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  4. Thanks Jeanmarie! Do you have a twitter or blog we can follow?

    Rebecca: Yay! Following you on Twitter now...

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  5. I would be psyched that an agent recognized my name, too. So congrats on that!

    I tweet @gmc511
    blog URL http://writersblog-gina.blogspot.com/

    Looking forward to seeing you there!

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  6. Oh! I also wanted to say that this is a good reason to have your actual name be at least part of your Twitter and blog handles - because that's all a potential agent, editor, or reader is usually going to see.

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  7. Congrats! A personalized rejection is a major milestone. My author website URL is: http://dlmorrese.wordpress.com/.

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  8. That's awesome, Sarah, and I'd be excited, too! I received two personalized agent rejections with feedback, and I found major encouragement and inspiration from them. I totally feel where you're coming from! :)

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  9. I'm just beginning to understand how important blogging is. As a new blogger trying to build her following and reach out to as many blogs as I can, it's amazing how far I can go. Thanks for the post and the encouragement!

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  10. Wow, congrats! I'm currently trying to pump up my internet presence as well, so I get how amazing that is. Here are my links:

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/cafecliche
    Blog: http://mahoneystory.blogspot.com/

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  11. AH that would be so amazing to have someone KNOW you, even if they did reject you. WOW. I know why you're so excited.

    I'm a new blogger too, and I've just recently started getting into my Twitter (with a VENGEANCE, lol), and I love it. Glad to make new friends.

    Here's my info:
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/writtled
    Blog: http://writtled.blogspot.com/

    And, I'm a new follower of yours now. Thanks for the opportunity to connect with others :)

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  12. Congrats, Sarah! To be recognized would be a great feeling :)

    http://fadeintofantasy.net
    http://www.twitter.com/fadeintofantasy
    http://www.facebook.com/fadeintofantasy

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  13. @jolenebperry

    www.jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com

    I have met ALL, I mean ALL of my crit partners online - it's a great place!
    Personal rejections are a HUGE step in the right direction ;D

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  14. Awesome attitude. And sometimes it's the one little line that we are doing something right that keeps us going.

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  15. @kayleebaldwin1

    www.kayleebaldwin.com

    That's great she recognized your name!

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