Back in 1998, I received one of those resounding rejections that take a writer down a few thousand pegs. It was for a submission I'd made for a series of dark fantasy novels featuring, of all things, vampires. The editor who bounced it said something along the lines of there were far more talented writers out there doing much better books and that I should forget about it.
I wrote a couple more stories set in that universe for my online readers, but I did shelve the series idea and went on to other things in print. Five years later when I got the chance to pitch a new editor, I decided what the hell, I'd give it one more shot. I loved the stories, my readers were nagging me constantly about them, and I really hoped that maybe this new editor would be more receptive to my series idea.
She was.
The Beginning
The Print Novels
The Juliana Trilogy
The Standalones
As I've said before, I doubt this will be the last we'll see of the Darkyn, but just in case I get hit by a truck tomorrow, it's done. There's a lot of satisfaction in just being able to say that, and feel this sense of completion. I also owe so much to the nonstop generosity of my visitors here at PBW, the bookstore buyers and readers out there who invested in my work and spread the word -- thank you.
This is what you can do if you love the work, you do your best for the reader, and no matter how many times you're rejected, you don't give up: you can finish what you started.
*Before anyone yells, I know I haven't delivered Incarnatio yet; it's done but needs a final buff and polish before I put it online. As soon as I get my current contract book out of here that's next on the agenda (along with five or six other projects I had to put on hold.)
