Behind every published author is someone who's had to deal with rejection. But how do you get over it? Guest blogger novelist Emma Bowd shares her experiences of dealing with the dreaded 'no thank you' letters.
As a published author, I can have the luxury of saying that rejection letters are an absolute rite-of-passage. But I’m also not so far away from the coal face to have quite forgotten the sting of disappointment and the emotion of unfulfilled dreams.
My editor, Marian McCarthy, was an enormous pillar of strength throughout the whole process of writing and submitting The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy for publication. She is extremely wise and experienced in the publishing world, and had always coached me for the rejection letters from day one.
She used to tell me that being a writer is like being a farmer – you work for many years on a product (without income) and then, when it’s time to go to market, you literally do not know if there is going to be a glut of your product or no demand at all.
She also wisely said that the book would “end up where it’s meant to be” – and painful as it was, I completely agree with this. It is so wonderful to be with a publisher that completely ‘gets’ my work and is so very supportive of me.
So the message is, keep going and believe in your work. Always revisit your manuscript after a rejection letter and take what positive feedback you can from it and tweak accordingly. A manuscript is an evolving entity. And you are the only person in charge of its destiny.
As a published author, I can have the luxury of saying that rejection letters are an absolute rite-of-passage! But I’m also not so far away from the coal face to have quite forgotten the sting of disappointment and the emotion of unfulfilled dreams.
My editor, Marian McCarthy, was an enormous pillar of strength throughout the whole process of writing and submitting The Shoe Princess’s Guide to the Galaxy for publication. She is extremely wise and experienced in the publishing world, and had always coached me for the rejection letters from day one. She used to tell me that being a writer is like being a farmer – you work for many years on a product (without income) and then, when it’s time to go to market, you literally do not know if there is going to be a glut of your product or no demand at all. She also wisely said that the book would “end up where it’s meant to be” – and painful as it was, I completely agree with this. It is so wonderful to be with a publisher that completely ‘gets’ my work and is so very supportive of me.
So the message is, keep going and believe in your work. Always revisit your manuscript after a rejection letter and take what positive feedback you can from it and tweak accordingly. A manuscript is an evolving entity. And you are the only person in charge of its destiny.
Bevj,
I'm a budding author out here! I have finished two picture books- both of which have been edited by published writers. The stories ought to sell themselves: I've worked as a nanny for 7 years and truly know what kids like. Every kid (and there have been plenty) to whom I have read my stories have been delighted by them.
But still the rejections keep pouring in, It's starting to feel rather heartbreaking. People believe in my books, but so far no agent has been willing to take me on as a client. It's such a discouraging process!
So, here's some good luck for both of us. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
All these articles are well worth reading and offer great advice. Thanks to all the experts willing to give their time :) Loving the site!
I've had my first rejection letter after spending the last 18 months-2 years producing 3 picture book stories, but I re-read it as it was such a lovely rejection! .....'beautifully presented parcel'......'There was a lot about the package that I liked'. I hold on to these two comments when I'm feeling tired/down.
I think the hardest think for me is the fact I am new to both WRITING and ILLUSTRATING (attended art college many years ago - picture books are a new venture), and so I am going in blindly at the moment!
Any other budding author/illustrators out there?
bevj
Hi Paul, glad you found Emma's advice helpful. Just to let you know, our guest bloggers can't always answer every query individually, but I'm sure Emma will add a comment if she has the time. Perhaps there are other users who'd like to share their thoughts or experiences on this too?