So you didn’t get the book? What happens next?

Bookish Verbosity is a non-regular feature at AEROPAPERS where I talk about topics that are related to books, blogging and the community.

I used to work as a recruitment officer before I changed career. My daily work consists of checking resumes, calling the applicants, give them test and even interview them. If they passed, I’ll tell my supervisor and she deals with the rest of the process. I handle the initial screening but sadly not all of them are qualified. And you know what I hate about my job? Yes, you guess it right, rejecting them. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. It’s painful to see the look of disappointment on their faces. But the positions are limited and I need the best person for the job.

So yes, I’m also one of those who decline people. And I have been rejected plenty of times myself; from work to even the most unimportant things. And let me tell you, even the littlest of things can still bruise your ego.

Rejection is upsetting but replies are not always yes. Image © Etsy

When I first got my ARC rejection I was upset. I did read their guidelines and I think I’m qualified but sadly I didn’t get it. At first it was really frustrating and you will doubt yourself because that’s what rejection normally does. Essentially, you will question yourself. But then I think, is it worth cradling these negative emotions? My answer, no it is not.

Receiving ARCs (especially print) feels good. You get to read a book that most people have to wait. Reading a book that’s not even released gives you that exciting feeling. But after a while, the excitement wears off. I then realized that I’m neglecting books that I was supposed to read. My reading pile is starting to accumulate. Now I realized I have deadlines to meet and it is starting to pressure me. And worst, when I didn’t like the book I’ve requested. I realized that there’s more to it than reading it in advance.

I don’t hold it against them (publishers) if they reject me, whatever the reason it might be. I get it.  So my whole perspective with ‘advance copies’ changed. I no longer desire them as much as I used to. Actually, I didn’t know about ARCs almost a year after I started blogging. I read and review books that were accessible to me and looking back there wasn’t a big difference.

I don’t dwell too much on what publishers wants with my blog (it’s my blog I have the final say). I get that they need someone who are qualified to promote their books. I realized being just a huge reader or fan isn’t enough. They need someone who will market their books—someone who can encourage people to read it. And I’m not (at least that influential).

I still do request ARCs and I’m honored some publishers even put me on auto-approved. But as a whole, I’m not upset anymore when they rejected me. So if I were you, you should too. ARCs are marketing tool and fundamentally that’s their purpose. Receiving or not receiving them doesn’t make anyone less of a fan, a reader, or a blogger. It’s not a validation of a good blogger either. So what happens when you didn’t get the book? Nothing, you just have to wait. And at the end of the day the book will be out and we can all enjoy it.

“Have you had a failure or rejection? You could get bitter. That’s one way to deal with it. Or…you could just get BETTER. What do you think?” ― Destiny Booze