Rejection hurts but don’t let that stop you
It’s been about six months since I wrote anything on the blog and there’s a few reasons for that.
I wrote another book. I started writing in August after a holiday in Greece inspired an idea and the first draft was written by October (83,000 words). Social media and the blog took a total backseat. As did my social life and sleep pattern.
October was the start of moving madness. In case you don’t know, my family have relocated to Australia (temporarily) but it took an enormous amount of energy and co-ordinating.
We moved. In December, we arrived on the east coast of Australia and it’s been a busy seven weeks getting settled, including multiple house moves and getting the kids started at school.
If I’m honest (which I promised I would be on this blog) there’s another reason too.
In June, my first book, the one that helped me find my brilliant agent, went out on submission to publishers. It was a bit of a journey to get it there as there was a lot of chat within the industry about agent burn-out and my submission was held back a while, but when it finally went out, I was hopeful I’d get a deal. I loved the book. My agent loved the book. But the publishers didn’t. Or at least that’s how it felt.
Having worked within publishing and still having contacts, I knew the realities of getting a book deal:
It’s a hard, complex process with lots of different people/teams within the publisher all having to get on board.
Timing is key. A publisher might have just bought something similar.
I knew the process wasn’t straightforward or clear-cut. So I was prepared.
For whatever reason, my book didn’t sell and part of me was crushed. All that preparation/industry knowledge helped me understand but it didn’t ease the sting.
I took the rejection hard. There were a few tears - 85,000 words wasted! - and quite a few drinks downed to wash away the disappointment. Then I reached out to a few writer friends I’d made over Instagram - forever grateful for the IG community by the way - and thank goodness I did. They all said the same thing.
No writing is ever wasted. It’s all good experience and I might be able to revisit the book in the future or lift certain elements into another story.
It’s rare for authors to have an instant first hit on their hands. Lots of authors write multiple manuscripts before they get a deal. Thanks Holly Craig for reeling off a great list of now seriously accomplished, bestselling authors whose first books didn’t sell, and for directing me to blog posts where authors share honestly about it.
Write another book.
So, if you’ve been rejected by agents or even by publishers, then take on board the advice above and don’t give up!
Luckily by the time my agent and I agreed to officially withdraw my submission in September, I was already writing another book. And that really saved my sanity. I threw myself into it wholeheartedly, determined to make this manuscript stronger and more compelling than the first.
I studied the feedback from editors (those who replied at least).
“The writing is truly cut-above.”
“It was a gorgeous read.”
But the common thread was that it seemed to lack a clear concise hook that would compel readers to pick it up and keep them gripped. It’s certainly more of a challenge to do this if you’re not writing in the thriller/suspense space with lots of captivating reveals and plot twists, but now in hindsight, looking back after writing another book, I see what they mean. To grab a reader (and editor’s) attention, a book has to suck you in right from the start. And my first book didn’t have that. Or a meaty dilemma at the heart of it that would get readers and book clubs talking.
So where am I at now?
Well, my current MS definitely has some meat in it. I describe it as a romantic suspense with a dark, complex theme at the core. It’s mainly set on a stunning Greek island and the truths of the past are gradually revealed over a dual timeline. I don’t want to say too much at this point but I’ve worked really hard on nailing a captivating hook in the opening chapters.
We’re pretty much finished edits which means it will be going out on submission soon. It makes me sick to think about it and I’ll be devastated if it doesn’t sell because I’ve put my absolute all into it. But, in reality, this is what being a writer is all about.
In many ways, it’s preparation for publication. A bit like insomnia through pregnancy prepares you for sleepless nights, rejections prior to publication can help prepare you for all the tough bits that come with author life: reviews, critiques, books flopping. None of this journey is easy.
Maybe this MS will be The One that gets me a deal. Maybe it won’t.
But whatever happens, I’m proud of how far I’ve come in the last year. And whatever the outcome, I won’t stop writing.
Thanks for reading.
Sara x