Every successful author has faced rejection. The most famous authors have been rejected by publishers several times before their success. However, they never surrendered. They rather used rejection as a driving force to learn and continue writing. Let us learn how some successful authors handled rejection and ended up as bestsellers.
- J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Power of Perseverance
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was rejected 12 times before a small publisher, Bloomsbury, offered to publish it. One editor even told her that children’s books about wizards wouldn’t sell! But Rowling stood firm in her conviction about her story and did not let rejection get the better of her. Today, the Harry Potter series is one of the top-selling book franchises in history, with sales over 500 million copies worldwide. Her saga reminds us that determination is the key.
- Stephen King – From Trash to the Bestseller List
Stephen King’s initial novel, Carrie, was rejected 30 times. He became so discouraged that he threw the manuscript away! Fortunately, his wife saved it and urged him to resubmit it. When a publisher finally accepted Carrie, it flew to bestseller status, making King a published author. Now, he’s a world-renowned horror writer with more than 350 million books sold. His tale teaches us the value of believing in ourselves, even when no one else will.
- Agatha Christie – 5 Years of Rejection
Agatha Christie, the best-selling fiction writer of all time, was turned down for five years before she published her first book. The majority of publishers didn’t think her mystery books would sell. But she just kept writing and practicing. Her novels gained popularity, and today, she has sold over 2 billion copies worldwide. Christie’s story shows us that perseverance and patience pay off.
- Dr. Seuss – 27 Rejection Times Before Success
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, Dr. Seuss’s first book, was rejected 27 times before being accepted. He came close to abandoning it because he had a meeting with an acquaintance who worked at a publishing firm. His friend made his book visible, and he became famous. Dr. Seuss’s books are popular today with children all over the world, with over 600 million copies sold. His tale demonstrates that the appropriate opportunity will arrive at the right moment when we do not anticipate it.
- The Lesson: Rejection is Not the End
Had these renowned writers quit after rejection, the world would have missed out on some of the best books ever written. Rejection is not failure; it is a process. Some writing tips for individuals being rejected are:
- Write more – The more you write, the better you are.
- Learn from criticism – Use rejection as an opportunity to correct your work.
- Have confidence in your story – If you enjoy what you are writing, then there is a good chance somebody else will.
- Don’t lose heart – Good things don’t happen overnight, but persevere.
Rejection is hard, but it is not the end of the line. Every successful author was a struggling author at one point who had doors closed in their face. The secret to success is to keep pushing, keep getting better, and never give up on your dreams. Your success story may be waiting at the door!
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Writer
Mahmud Hasan Srabonto
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE