Rejection feels awful. It can get you in your heart where your self-worth and self-doubt lives and trigger an avalanche of emotions, most of which takes rejection very personally. Yet, it's an inevitable part of the writing and publishing journey we are on.

If you're facing the sting of rejection as a first-time writer, you're in good company. Did you know that J.K. Rowling was rejected 12 times before ‘Harry Potter’ found a home? That Agathe Christie had five years worth of rejection? What about Lisa Genova who you may or may not have heard of before ( I hadn’t) who had over a 100 rejections with her book called ‘Still Alice’ about a woman’s journey with the early on-set of Alzheimers. Such was Lisa’s belief in her book that after all those rejections, she decided to self-publish and gained a legion of fans. Which led to her book being picked up by Simon  & Schuster and a publishing deal. Needless to say, the book became a best-seller and was then adapted into an Oscar-winning film. Inspiring stuff, right?!

I am personally experiencing a lot of rejection not with my book as I’m still in the redrafting phase, but in the job market which got me thinking about what lies ahead with my book and how embracing rejection and staying resilient is going to be so important on this journey. So in this blog, I want to help you (and me) understand the realities of rejection and give you some practical tips on how to cope with it.

The Reality of Rejection:

The road to publication is paved with rejections. Literary agent Rachelle Gardner estimates that agents reject 99% of the submissions they receive. It's not just about your writing; market trends, what is hot, what’s not and timing play significant roles.  So much is out of our control but the emotional impact can be tough, with an overwhelm of feelings like self-doubt and frustration.

Why Rejection Happens:

Publishing is a subjective industry. What one agent loves, another might pass on. Rejection doesn't mean your writing isn't good; it might just not be the right fit for that particular agent or publisher. Sometimes, it’s a signal to make sure you research literary agents based on their likes, the kind of books of interest to them. Do this by reading their bio and reviewing the library of books they’ve published. Or it might be a sign that you need to refine your manuscript and query letter further.

Tips for Dealing with Rejection:

1. Develop a Thick Skin: Remember, rejection is not personal, it’s part of the process

2. Maintain Perspective: Focus on the long-term, not the immediate setbacks

3. Keep Writing: Finish projects and start new ones, to keep your creativity alive

4. Find a Support Network: Engage with writing communities for support, join a book club, go to literary festivals, meet other first-time writers. In this post Writing Challenges, I have suggested a few different writing communities out there for you.

5. Seek Constructive Feedback: Either from someone you trust to give you the right type of feedback, or a professional editor

6. Dig into stories of perseverance: How have other authors or entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and embraced rejection?

7. Self-Care: Take care of your mental health to stay resilient. Be kind to yourself in words and actions and be your best champion

Remembering that rejection is not the end of your writing journey and just a normal part of it, is so helpful. That each ‘no’ brings you closer to the right ‘yes.’ So keep writing, keep submitting, keep embracing the rejections and remember that every great author has been on the same journey. Share your experiences in the comments below or reach out to fellow writers for support.

Embrace the journey and enjoy the ride, until next time.

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