One of my hobbies is creative writing. I’ve always been a fan of stories so it was natural that some day I’d be writing my own. I’ve written both screenplays and novels but any writer will tell you that if you are wanting to get your work published in a traditional sense you must be a friend to rejection.
And boy are they right! I have two completed fiction manuscripts (and five completed scripts) that I am super proud of, and have had a lot of positive feedback on my novels from agents and independent publishers alike. Yet, nice comments and encouragements can feel like nothing unless it comes with a contract. I’ve had both my projects on submission for a while now, and while the books are still on review with several agents and publishers, it still hurts when one comes back with a “not for me”.
This happened recently with a small independent publisher who was reviewing my most recent manuscript. They had been really interested in it for a while, but after a reviewer provided feedback that it wasn’t their “taste” it was ultimately rejected. Gotta be honest, this sucks! I read their comments, and while most everything they had to say about the book was great, they ultimately just stated that the style wasn’t right for them. That was another reminder that the publishing industry is a very subjective business. It takes one persons preferences to make or break your way into things, and that’s just how things are.
This is the same for all rejection. By nature, rejection is subjective. There’s a quote that goes: You can be the best, juiciest peach in the world, but there will always be someone who hates peaches. When experiencing rejection on your own scale, I encourage you to remind yourself that. Yes, it sucks. Yes, it’s disappointing. But keep your head up. Someone who loves peaches is bound to come along.
