Rejection from traditional publishers. Learn from it!

Rejection is an inevitable part of life, and it's particularly common in the publishing world. As a writer, you will likely face numerous rejections before you finally get that coveted acceptance letter. In today's publishing world, where the industry is constantly evolving and competition is fierce, rejection can feel more discouraging than ever before. However, there are ways to handle rejection and turn it into a positive experience. In this blog post, we'll explore some strategies for taking rejection in today's publishing world.

Firstly, it's important to recognize that rejection is not a personal attack. Editors and publishers receive countless submissions, and they must choose the works that they believe will be the best fit for their publication. Unfortunately, this means that many excellent pieces of writing are rejected simply because they don't fit the publisher's criteria at the time. In fact, it's estimated that only about 2% of unsolicited manuscripts are accepted by traditional publishers (Source: Writer's Digest).

With such a low acceptance rate, it's easy to see why rejection is so common in the publishing industry. However, it's important to remember that rejection doesn't necessarily mean that your writing is bad. It simply means that it's not the right fit for that particular publication at that particular time.

One way to handle rejection is to view it as an opportunity to improve your writing. Many successful writers have faced numerous rejections before finally getting published. For example, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series was rejected by 12 publishers before finally being accepted (Source: Writer's Digest). Stephen King's first novel, Carrie, was rejected 30 times before it was finally published (Source: Biography).

In fact, rejection is often seen as a rite of passage for writers. It's a way to hone your craft and learn from your mistakes. By taking the time to review your rejected manuscript and analyze the feedback you receive, you can identify areas for improvement and make your writing stronger. This can ultimately increase your chances of getting published in the future.

Another way to handle rejection is to maintain a positive attitude. Rejection can be discouraging, but it's important to remember that it's not the end of the world. There are many successful writers who have faced rejection, and there are many paths to success in the publishing world. By staying positive and persevering, you can increase your chances of eventually getting published.

It's also important to remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth as a writer or as a person. It's easy to take rejection personally and feel like a failure, but it's important to separate your self-worth from the success of your writing. Remember that rejection is simply a part of the process, and it doesn't define you as a writer or as a person.

In conclusion, rejection is a common experience in today's publishing world. However, it's important to remember that rejection is not a personal attack, and it doesn't necessarily mean that your writing is bad. By viewing rejection as an opportunity to improve your writing, maintaining a positive attitude, and separating your self-worth from the success of your writing, you can turn rejection into a positive experience. And who knows, your next submission might just be the one that gets accepted.