Happy 50th Charlie Bucket!

50 years on since Charlie Bucket (the luckiest boy in the world) discovered his golden ticket to the amazing Chocolate Factory.

This is a classic! I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it. Been on the news and everything. I didn't realise and was shocked to discover that this absolutely british story (inspired by Cadbury) was published in the USA first!!! and received 11 rejections from british publishers!

It really goes to show that (What the heck do these publishers know?) So many classic and beloved stories have had numerous rejections.

I say believe in yourself and don't listen to criticism. Try and try some more. Don't give up until you've made yourself a nuisance. They may think they know what's best and what's 'good enough' but they really don't. They speak for themselves, not the public! Fact!

'One mans rubbish is another mans treasure.'

So they may slap your work on the slush pile or even in the bin, but someone else might just pick it up and want it.

In the end it is the publishers loss. You can always pick your work up and carry on and even make a break through some day.

Practically every single one of my personal favourite stories has had a rejection story of its own. It just makes you want to say 'What the?' Why turn down something so brilliant? Are the publishers blind? stupid? I'm just thankful that my favourite books are out there and some knowledgeable sane publisher noticed its potential. Can you imagine a world without Harry Potter, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Beatrix Potter, Roald Dhal, I can't.

So pay no attention to those nasty little creatures we call publishers.

And keep moving forward!