On Rejection: Joe Mayall

Joe talks about pitching agents and trying to work at the State Department

Welcome! This is a new(ish) interview series called On Rejection. Every other week, I’m inviting in people from every walk of life to talk about their experiences with rejection and how they got over it.

This week, we’re joined by Joe Mayall, who writes Joe Wrote, a Substack which covers movies, socialism, and everything in between. Enjoy!

Tell us about a time you experienced rejection.

Oh boy. I’m currently in the midst of two slow-moving, constant rejection processes. The first is my work as a writer. I wrote a novel last year, and now I’m trying to pitch it to book agents with the hopes they’ll represent me and sell it to a publisher. After six months of researching agents and tailoring my pitch, I still haven’t received any serious interest. 

It’s crushing to approach someone with your life’s dream only to get a response of: “Sounds good but I can’t sell it. Good luck though.”

The second is my efforts to join the U.S. State Department. Growing up during the disastrous Forever War, I wanted to find a way to change US foreign policy for the better. Ailment kept me out of the military, so I’ve set my sights on becoming a Foreign Service Officer. FSOs live in embassies around the world and are the first-contact between the US and other nations. Becoming an FSO is an arduous process involving personal essays, a four-hour exam, panel interviews, language tests, and much more, so it’s no easy task. 

I’ve applied twice now, and both times the result has been the same: my test scores are high and my writing is strong, but I’m too young and inexperienced to move forward.

Needless to say, continuous rejection from the two life paths I’ve laid out for myself has made me something of a rejection expert!!

How did you get over it? (Or, how are you getting over it?)

I’d be lying if I said I was over it, or if I said rejection didn’t hurt. Both of the cases I mentioned above are very personal and very important to me, so getting shot down stings deep. It’ll never feel good to be rejected, but what has helped me cope is taking a step back and understanding the rejector’s situation.

For instance, book agents are looking for novels they know they can sell so they can make a living. I’m not saying my book is the next Moby Dick, but I’m confident it’s a good story people will enjoy. However, it’s set in WWII, a setting that has been nearly exhausted in the American market. From the agent’s view, they’re seeing a subject that isn’t worth their time, and have already rejected me before I get to: “It’s a new, multi-racial take on the classic setting, yada-yada.” Understanding their perspective helps me remember they’re not saying I’m a bad writer, which alleviates the hurt.

As for the State Department, learning how the application process worked really helped calm me. From their view, I’m a kid five years out of college who only speaks one language and has never lived abroad. Compared to other candidates who are much older and have international experience, I don’t stand a chance. Remembering that I’m a work-in-progress who can improve himself to meet these standards inspires me to learn from the rejection and keep going.

If you could go back and tell yourself anything right before or after that experience, what would you say?

“You’re probably going to get rejected. Rejection is only final if you let it be.”

My buddy just married a woman who once told him “I have no feelings for you.” The great novelist Walter Mosley was told by a publisher to “Quit writing. You’re bad at it.” Nearly every FSO I’ve spoke to has taken 5-10 attempts to join the State Department.

That’s the thing about rejection. Very seldom is it a “No forever.” Rather, the rejector is usually saying “No, at this time.” Keep going, and I’m sure you’ll find success.

What are you working on now?

I’m really excited about my current projects! This year I launched my own Substack where I write about the culture, politics, and entertainment. 

Shameless plug for JoeWrote —Television. Pugilism. Socialism. And everything in between. 

I’ve also started my second novel, building on the lessons learned trying to sell the first. Without giving too much away, this one brings a sci-fi element to a real-life medieval siege. It’s in the vein of Game of Thrones meets The Expanse, so it should be much easier to sell.

As for the State Department, I’m learning another language and trying to get professional experience that’ll help me as a diplomat. It’ll be a life-long process, but I’m confident if I stay resolved I’ll find success eventually.

You write a lot about movies. Are there any movies about surviving rejection that you'd recommend? 

This is a weird one, but 21 Jump Street. The movie starts with a high school Jonah Hill getting rejected by a potential prom date (something most people know really sucks). Years later, Hill’s character has found his purpose in life, developed confidence, and is much kinder to himself. As the movie ends, Hill courts a new romantic interest.

It’s certainly not the deepest message, and 21 Jump Street is the furthest thing from Oscar-worthy, but I think it depicts a situation most people can relate to. As I said before, remember: Rejection is seldom permanent!!

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