Becoming a writer means learning to deal with disappointment and heartache. Most of us, apart from the very lucky few, have had to deal with rejection right at the beginning of our careers. Trying to find an agent and then a publisher is a hard road full of twists and turns. But when you finally sign those contracts, it’s like rainbow fireworks bursting into the sky. Life is fabulous!!!
But what happens after your contracts with the publishers have run out? Maybe you had a 2 book, 4 book, 6 book deal - and then you write something new. And you write a story that you absolutely love. Perhaps your agent loves it too and you work on it together, making it even better. Then the time comes for it to find a home with a publisher … but no publishing house wants it.
This happened to me recently and I was utterly heartbroken. I wrote a book for young teenagers and I was desperate to see it on a shelf in a library. (And yes, I had pictured it in my mind!) I wanted my characters to be let loose into the world and for readers to enjoy their adventures. But alas, none of this was meant to be.
Since then, I have spoken to numerous authors and have realized that this happens far more often than people think. Authors who are incredibly successful have written books that may never see the light of day. Their agents loved them, but for whatever reasons, they were rejected. There is some solace in knowing that I’m not alone.
My story did receive some wonderful feedback from editors and got very close to finding a home. This made it a little easier to deal with. Plus I paid great attention to why it was rejected and took their observations and advice on board. And as I write another story, I keep their feedback in the back of my mind. Because most authors don’t give up. We keep going, hoping our next story will be published. We are persistent and courageous! That’s what I tell myself anyway.
Today I’d like to give a toast to all those books that haven’t quite made it. They might be languishing in a file on a computer, tucked away in a desk drawer or hidden in a box under a bed. To all those stories, characters, and adventures - you aren’t forgotten. Your creators still believe in you! And who knows - maybe one day you will be self-published, or an editor might ring out of the blue, wanting to see you again ...
Tamsin Cooke
Author of The Scarlet Files Series and Stunt Double Series
Website: tamsincooke.co.uk
Twitter: @TamsinCooke1
Twitter: @TamsinCooke1
15 comments:
That's it, isn't it? You just have to keep going. I liked this post. A lot.
I'll drink to that - both to keeping going and to those excellent stories whose time is yet to come. Thanks, Tamsin!
Thank you Nick. And yes - we absolutely have to keep going. Xx
Thank you, Joan. Let's have a fabulous glass of bubbly. Xx
Good luck, Tamsin, with all those books waiting in your bottom drawer! May they all find a home one day!
Sadly, I know that feeling!
Me too! It's one of those things...
We all know about those rejection slips. I’ve been cheered when they are personalised. I don’t have an agent, alas! I tried so hard for so long. I got one for a few months, years ago, then she decided to scrap her agency and focus on her own writing. But you know what? She never sold anything for me and the one printed slip I ever got for that MS was when she sent it.
So, I just keep going, without the help of an agent. Sometimes It’s the rejection slip, sometimes I get no answer at all and sometimes I sell.
I’m sure that novel of yours will find a home eventually.
Thank you, Lynne. That's very kind.
Sue P and Katherine, I'm so sorry you know this feeling of heartbreak. Let's hope our future manuscripts become books on shelves. Xx
Sue B, I know exactly what you mean by a personalised rejection slip. It makes the 'no' a little easier to take. I'm so glad you sometimes sell. Xx
Tamsin - You are a great writer - I hope that that book has its day in a year or so. The market changes and new publishers come on the scene - you never know. I too have some stories which haven't found a home but I still hope for them...In the meantime - good luck with the next book xx
Hi Anne, thank you so much for your kind words. It means such a lot coming from you as I adore your books. Let's hope all our stories find a home in the future. Xx
This is a great blog Tamsin and I bet nearly every writer experiences what you describe. I tell friends who aspire to become writers that they need to develop 'crocodile skin' - though I often forget that advice when I get a rejection myself. I wonder if I have the record for the fastest ever rejection. I once received a manuscript back the very next day after I'd posted it! I couldn't understand how that was even possible!
Thank you, Steve - my crocodile skin is definitely thickening. I think you might have won the speediest record. Writing takes you on such a roller coaster of emotions. Xx
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