Work: Today, I finally got a phone call from a publisher saying they...

FML for mobile
Free

By sobasics - 06/05/2013 23:43 - United States

Today, I finally got a phone call from a publisher saying they would publish the book I'd written. I'd gotten loads of rejection letters, so I was so excited. Until I realized it was my dad, feeling sorry for me. FML

I agree, your life sucks 47 439

You deserved it 3 725

Labour Day: Rest or Disaster?
Find out how a day off can turn into a series of hilarious, unexpected events. More…

Previous FML Next FML

Same thing different taste

Almost made it

By strugglingartist - 26/01/2013 06:14 - Australia - Brisbane

Today, I came home to find two letters from a publishing house that I'd submitted my manuscript to. The first was congratulatory, stating that my book had been accepted for publishing. The second was apologetic, stating that the first letter had been intended for someone else. FML

I agree, your life sucks 37 121

You deserved it 2 373

Who are you? Who am I?

By NoDaddyIssues - 24/03/2024 22:00 - Netherlands - Alphen aan den Rijn

Today, I finally received the phone call I had been waiting on for years. The agency who is trying to approach my father in an attempt for me to get in contact with him called me with the news that they found him. Too bad he died about 25 years ago, so he can't consent with making himself known. FML

I agree, your life sucks 510

You deserved it 105

By Anonymous - 18/12/2018 12:00

Today, after two years of hard work, I finished writing my novel dedicated to my father. I timed everything so that the paperback would arrive at his house just before Christmas, then I booked a flight to surprise him so I could see his reaction in person. He just texted me, my mom told him. FML

I agree, your life sucks 3 309

You deserved it 269

By Anonymous - 02/12/2009 08:51 - United States

Today, I found out that the person sending me secret love letters was actually my dad, who felt sorry for me. FML

I agree, your life sucks 51 211

You deserved it 3 673

By Anonymous - 09/04/2009 18:48 - United States

Today, I got a missed call from my dad, who hasn't talked to me in months and has vowed not to have anything to do with me. I called him back excitedly and apologized for missing his call, and we had a 20-second conversation about how his phone accidentally dialed my number. FML

I agree, your life sucks 67 171

You deserved it 3 552

BIG NEWS!

By still poor - 05/12/2014 06:17 - United States - Carlisle

Today, my dad texted me saying he had "big news." I immediately called, thrilled, because I assumed he meant that he finally found a job and that our money troubles were over. The "big news" was him being excited at seeing an actor from one TV show he likes in another TV show. FML

I agree, your life sucks 32 604

You deserved it 2 841

By Kellye - 16/09/2009 00:24 - United States

Today, my father called me for the first time in two weeks since I moved away. Excited, I answered the phone. It was a mistake. He thought he'd called my sister. FML

I agree, your life sucks 38 348

You deserved it 2 528

By Anonymous - 02/08/2016 14:42 - Germany - Berlin

Today, I excitedly told my brother I submitted a short story for a competition for the first time ever. His reply? "Congrats. I guess the first letter of rejection is a special occasion." Gee, thanks for that reality check. FML

I agree, your life sucks 12 434

You deserved it 1 234

By Bashit - 01/04/2012 01:00 - United States - Bullard

Today, I received a call from the company I applied to, only to have my father pick it up and make fun of the man's accent. They won't call me back or take any of my calls, and my dad is completely unapologetic. FML

I agree, your life sucks 29 555

You deserved it 2 088

By Anonymous - 28/03/2015 20:42 - United States - Boulder

Today, I found out that the creepy weirdo who's been sending me messages for a while is just my dad. His excuse was, "I wanted you to feel like someone would actually like you." FML

I agree, your life sucks 30 495

You deserved it 2 386

DragonText 4

Tuesday 7 May 2013 9:06

Many famous people got rejected in the beginning, J.K. Rowling, Eminem, you just gotta keep it at it!

dinosxxrawr 22

Tuesday 7 May 2013 9:07

that's sweet of your dad. someone will want publish your book! some of the best authors get rejected at least once.

Comments

Fedezzer 20

Tuesday 7 May 2013 19:18

So many rejection letters and maybe we shouldn't be too sorry. Perhaps the book wasn't very good. Just saying.

kurodansei 16

Tuesday 7 May 2013 19:55

You just had to be the guy ...

Comet_Candy 23

Wednesday 8 May 2013 13:15

There's always one...

Fedezzer 20

Saturday 25 May 2013 16:53

Maybe the fact that there is always "that guy" shows there's a truth behind it. Maybe "that guy" is the only one without enough empathy to lie to people's faces.

limabeans101029 20

Tuesday 7 May 2013 19:55

JK Rowling was rejected by 12 different publishers before she was successful- don't give up.

AshleyScruggs 14

Tuesday 7 May 2013 20:15

What is your book about?

mattyiscool123 26

Tuesday 7 May 2013 22:45

Just keep trying I know you could do it

krunchy_kitty 8

Wednesday 8 May 2013 4:47

If you're sending your manuscript directly to publishers, you're wasting your time and postage. The big publishing houses and most of the smaller ones do not even glance at over-the-transom submissions. If you want to work with a traditional publisher you have to get a literary agent first. A great resource is the archives of the Miss Snark blog (an agent tells you the real scoop) -- no longer being updated but still very useful. Note that an agent will want to know that you've workshopped your ms in a writer's group, that you have some previous publishing credits, and that you have a platform (a newspaper column, a widely read blog) for promoting your book. If you don't have any of that, then yes, self-publishing is your best bet.

cmb8280 24

Friday 10 May 2013 9:32

Aww, I

worldclassrager 39

Saturday 11 May 2013 5:09

Don't give up twilight was rejected fifteen times..,

misfortunate17 6

Saturday 1 June 2013 23:15

Aww, I know it sucked, but your father did a noble thing. Props to him for loving you.

DarthIronbat 5

Monday 26 August 2013 21:12

John Green once said, "All writing is rewriting." You WILL get published eventually- ask for advice and feedback from the publishers, improve your story, and you'll get published.