If there is one thing most authors have in common, besides the sheer agony that sometimes accompanies the writing process, it is the dreaded Rejection Letter from an agent or publisher.
Last week, I received my first rejection letter.
There is a lot we can learn from our mistakes. Just because a publisher has rejected my manuscript it doesn’t mean my writing career is over – it is the beginning.
It means I am doing my job as a writer; writing and submitting.
My rejection letter was nice. “While I have enjoyed your manuscript sample, unfortunately, it isn’t quite right for our publishing firm. Of course, this is just one opinion and we hope it doesn’t discourage you from submitting elsewhere.”
It hasn’t discouraged me, it has motivated me to cross the bridge of rejection.
Most authors–even wildly successful authors–have also received their share of rejection missives. Everyone has heard the stories of the rejection letters Stephen King and J. K. Rowling received. The didn’t give up and neither should emerging writers.
The key is believing in yourself and the story you are telling. You will NEVER please everybody. There will always be those who don’t understand or simply don’t like your book or books. That’s life. But it is critical that you DO NOT stop believing in what you are writing.
When was your last rejection letter? and how did you feel recieiving it?
Post your comments and answers below. If you think someone has an interesting point of view and answer, please invite them or share this post with them.
#DWTSmith #rejectionletter
Douglas W.T. Smith 
I remember my first rejection letter from an agent… I was actually sort of pleased, because it meant someone had actually read what I wrote! So many of them don’t respond at all, so a rejection letter can feel almost like a step forward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great point! Thank you for sharing 😃
LikeLike
Rejection is inevitable in publishing, but it doesn’t take away the sting. Keep querying and keep writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t but I think you put it perfectly – keep querying and keep writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on your first rejection – and I say this because the rejection is a symbol of your sheer determination to put your work out into the world,and that isn’t easy! I had my first one a few weeks ago, so I know how you feel. It encouraged me too – we must keep going! Great post, and good luck x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m a little overwhelmed with the positive support the online community has with me receiving my first rejection letter 😊 Congratulations to you as well!! After the first initial self-doubt phase, the motivation will be stronger and good things will come to both of us – I can feel it in my fingertips!
Thank you and good luck to you too 😃 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Douglas 😀 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Given that rejection seems to be the default setting of agents, i tended to end my queries with “if you are interested please let me know”. How they [think they] can predict what will sell is a complete mystery to me. I wonder how much, as a reader, i have dismissed a book that might have been great but had no endorsements of the writer or the work. At least i could go back to something i wasn’t particularly enthused by (maybe weeks or months later) and no one need know i changed my mind. Not an option for a literary agent…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations for reaching this required, but regrettable milestone! 😀 Just hang in there now~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Editing and persistence will hopefully pay off 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think everyone should be on a mission to collect rejections! The only way to get rejected is to put yourself and work out into the world. The only way to avoid it, is to not persue your dreams.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! It is a milestone that will help a lot of writers grow and learn from. At first, I was nervous to share my novel I’d been working on for so long but I got over it and it was the best decision I’ve made! Hopefully, other writers can let down those defensive barriers and pursue their dreams 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person