Leda Schubert * Writer of Picture Books

Feb 05, 2011 9:13 AM EST

You can't quit! I see you have 3 books in the works, and I'm sure there are more hiding in you. I am so appreciative of the work you do - besides, there can never be too many books/stories about dogs, just like there can never be too many stories about people! So have lots of chocolate and keep writing for us.

- Linda Elsner

Feb 05, 2011 9:18 AM EST

This is such an important post, Leda. I had a drawer about 4 inches deep where I kept all my rejection letters. I vowed I would not stop writing, revising, sending until the drawer was too stuffed to close.
Lucky for me, paper stacked flat lies really thin. How many rejections? Maybe hundreds.
Not a writing day goes by that I don't think my writing stinks and that I have no talent. But I am (you'll like this) a hungry dog on a bone when it comes to being persistent.

- Janet Fox

Feb 05, 2011 9:27 AM EST

I take a few minutes to weep for the children who will be deprived of my perfect picture book or novel for a bit longer. Then I resubmit. For the children.
-B

- Anonymous

Feb 05, 2011 9:28 AM EST

Thank you for your thoughts, Linda and Janet. Linda--how much chocolate can I have? Janet--you're such a fine writer (as I know better than anyone--I had the privilege of being Janet's advisor one semester at VCFA). We'd all lose if you gave up! B-- you are funny.

- Leda Schubert

Feb 05, 2011 10:26 AM EST

This was such a good post for me to read. Those rejections are terrible. I used to go out and buy myself something (just a little something) every time I got a rejection, but soon even that didn't soothe anymore. Now I just feel bad, sure I will never be able to break in. Then along comes your post which reminds me that famous and wonderful writers get rejections, so I am in good company. Also a reminder that persistence and believing in yourself is so important. BTW, you were VERY good at your job w/ the Dept. of Ed and not a working day goes by that I don't miss your advocacy. Especially when we librarians are being cut left and right and titles such as Maniac Magee are being challenged.

- Andy Horton

Feb 05, 2011 10:33 AM EST

Thanks, Andy-- of course you should keep writing!!! Good luck. May an acceptance soon come your way.

- Leda Schubert

Feb 05, 2011 12:45 PM EST

Leda - you can have all the chocolate you want/need, especially the dark kind (for the health benefits!)
;>)

- Linda Elsner

Feb 05, 2011 6:20 PM EST

This is such a good post, and one we can all relate to, I'm sure. I know I can. It doesn't matter how well other books or parts of your life are going, a rejection letter hurts and can throw everything into gloom. I think if it keeps you writing, have that chocolate. And of course there are never too many books about dogs.

- Kelly

Feb 06, 2011 12:16 AM EST

Of course you can always take solace knowing that the dog would never, ever, EVER reject you.

- Monica Edinger

Feb 06, 2011 5:54 AM EST

Ha, Monica. You must come meet Pippa. She's excessively independent.

- Leda Schubert

Feb 21, 2011 4:57 AM EST

Leda, thanks for being so open about a painful topic. I'm not collecting many rejection slips because I'm not writing enough--which is worse! You've inspired me (to write more). Even more than chocolate, I find writing in a cafe comforting--especially one with good pastries.

- Deborah Kops