One of the hardest parts about writing is the inevitable experience of rejection. Nothing prepares you for the serial rejection emails, the silences in between and the not knowing whether your work is truly rejected. The level of resilience required to try again and remain creative is enormous. How much time should you wait? I think a more important question is 'How much energy should you challenge into the not knowing at all? While you are hyper focussed on the outcome you are in fact blocking a positive outcome and your own creativity. Why? Your focus is not on being creative in the moment, it is trying to predict an outcome in the future. So because you are not content in the here and now, you are operating from a place of lack. This attracts more lack in the form of more rejection letters. Rejection is not failure it is an opportunity to look to a new direction.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
- Ensure your work is the best it can be by working with a reputable editor.
- An editor needs to be a good fit for you so that the work is amicable and constructive.
- Pay close attention to submission guidelines.
- As tempting as it might be to send out numerous submissions, it is better to be selective.
- It is better to research a literary agent that has a great track record in your field of interest.
- Do yourself and your work justice by pitching your work with commercial viability. Research how you might market that book.
- After submission there can be a waiting period of 2 weeks to 6 months. Be constructive during this time. Continue to write and research.
- When the rejection letters come in, and they will, take time to look in a different direction. This doesn't allow the feeling of rejection to consume you and your energy. By literally shifting your energy you take the sting out of the feeling and you allow space for learning, new ideas and resilience. Swop seats.
- Journal your experience.
- Rejection may be for many reasons, your work is not a good fit, the genre is too general or too niched, there is lack of clarity or balance in the writing.
- Don't take it personally. So aspects of your work need attention but this doesn't imply that you as a whole are no good.
- Ask yourself when did you first experience rejection as a child. What was that like for you? What is the story around that experience and are you still living out that narrative today. If so a coaching conversation would be very helpful for you.
- 'Rejection is often the universe leading us in a different direction. See rejection as guidance rather than loss'. Gabrielle Bernstein
- Celebrate your hard work and bravery. Many people say they will do things but they never get there because of fear. Here you are well on your road to getting published. Well done.
Aintherese
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