Welcome to Pam Calvert's children's books

Inksplaaat!

Here are some archives of my inksplaats over the years. I no longer publicly record my rejections, but just know, I'm still receiving them although my career is very healthy, and I can safely say, my dream of being a children's author has come true in every sense.

If you need inspiration, look through all the misery and take heart that you are not alone...every children's writer who doesn't have the name of Paula Danziger has suffered rejection. (She told me once that she'd never received ONE rejection! WOW!)

Find Some Rejection Humor Here...

And stamp out the wicked internal editor that says you can't because

YOU CAN!

Courtesy of kimnormanbooks.com

I started part-time freelance work officially in 1998, but I didn't start recording my rejections until January 1999, where I got my first acceptance of the year! A great starting point--and an easier way to swallow the slew of rejections that came afterward.

I've found reading other peoples rejections to be very therapeutic. It's nice to know that there are other professionals out there slogging around the rejection hole with you. So, bookmark this page and come back here from time to time to see how the rejection marsh is affecting me--it may make you feel better!

The Year 2011

Score:

9 rejections

1 acceptance

1 revision request

2 picture books published

1 short story published

2 awards

Found an agent!



Sept. 2

Received some good news and some bad. Bad first! Got two rejections--both had some incredibly flattering things to say so that's encouraging! Can't get too upset!

Now for the good--Princess Peepers came out in paperback! And it's so beautiful--the best quality paperback book I've had published (I've had four others). I'm so happy!

Aug  15
    Wanted to say the rejection below was unagented. I suffered another unagented rejection...and it was very confusing... Oh well! Back to the grindstone. In better news, my agent got in touch with the publisher that has my revision and they are still considering. Hooray!

July 18

AHHH! Got a HORRIBLE rejection that makes me feel like THIS:     I've never felt this way about a rejection, but yeah. I'm NOT happy.

But there is good news to report--Princess Peepers Picks a Pet made fourth in this Indie Children's Best Seller's list: Princess Peepers Picks a Pet

July 12
   I am happy to report that I now have an agent with whom I feel very excited for the future! WOOT!

June 8

Well, got a rejection with thoughts to consider for a different book, so now I need to brainstorm! It's summer, so that should be easy...I think. HEE!

June 7
Forgot to mention some VERY IMPORTANT news! Princess Peepers won an honorable mention at the LA Book Festival awards for the picture book category. And I know hundreds of books were considered, so I'm very humbled and please to hear about it!

May 25

I hate it when I neglect this part of my website. Got a VERY NICE personal rejection that didn't make me sad.

Mar. 30
Just received a check in the mail from Highlights. True to their word! I love it when that happens!

Also, a large crate of my newest books has arrived! Twenty five Princess Peepers Picks a Pet! I'd forgotten my contract asked for that. I'm so happy!

Mar. 25

A few things have happened. No rejections, so that's good...I was extremely happy that Princess Peepers made a cameo appearance on Celebrity Apprentice on March 13th. That was a lot fun to see!

Just received a nice letter in the mail from Highlights saying Pearson just bought one of my stories and I should be receiving $$$ in the mail. Ohhh, I like that kind of news!

Mar. 1
Wow. So much to report. Bad news first...two rejections, but they didn't make me feel bad at all! One publisher sent me a letter saying they were going out of business (Tricycle)--that made me sad since the editorial director asked me to write a pb just for them. Sigh.

And now to the good news! I got a revision request on one of my mg's from an AWESOME publisher! Oh, I hope I can do it! And I'm proud to announce that my two pb's are out--Multiplying Menace Divides and Princess Peepers Picks a Pet. PPPP got a great review from Kirkus and MMD was named a hot list pick for February by the CBC. YAY!!!

Jan.3

I have many things being published this year, so I know it's gonna be a great year! Already, one of my stories is published in the January 2011 Highlights issue! It's entitled, "Stop the Hungry Giant Fish!" and the illustrator did such a wonderful job with it!

Okay, and now for goals: 1. TO FINISH THE YA I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR TWO YEARS!!! 2. Submit one of my pb's 3. Write another story or two for magazines 4. Write another pb. 5. Once the YA is done, start revising one of my mg's. I pray all your goals and wishes will come true in the new year!