First Rejection

About four years ago, I self-published my first novel, I Want Your Life. Self-publishing was not my initial plan. Like most aspiring writers, I envisioned my book being published under the label of one of the prominent publishing houses in the country, such as Penguin or HarperCollins.

However, my editor gave me a reality check and explained that large publishing houses receive several submissions daily, making it highly unlikely for a first-time writer to get noticed.

More than the prestige of being published under an established banner, my excitement lay in seeing my story in the form of a book. So, I chose the self-publishing route. After months of back-and-forth with my publishing team - proofreading, editing, revisions, illustrations, book registration, and printing - my book was finally out. It was truly a dream come true.

The upside of self-publishing is the sweet certainty of getting published. The downside, however, is that you are responsible for everything, including promotion, marketing, and sales.

Today, we live in a world where almost every unique skill, interest, hobby, or product has a chance to gain popularity if we regularly promote it on social media. I created a series of posts about my book, sharing snippets and behind-the-scenes stories. These posts did help generate curiosity within my circles, but my limited social media presence restricted my book’s reach.

I was unable to penetrate beyond my immediate circles, and as a result, the audience for my book remained relatively small. From the modest pool of readers who did read my work, I received mostly positive and genuine feedback. Some readers also offered helpful insights into areas where I could improve.

As time passed and the buzz around I Want Your Life subsided, people began asking if I was working on something new. I told them I was. Not immediately after the first book, but eventually, an idea came to me that sparked my interest. I kept toying with the concept, exploring its possibilities, and gradually, characters and their arcs began taking shape.

Balancing professional and personal commitments, I wrote slowly over the years, with considerable pauses caused by writer’s block and, admittedly, my own laziness.

Four years later, I have completed the first draft of my latest work:

Death of the Death

Having gone the self-publishing route last time, I now wish to try the traditional path. While I don’t yet have a standout portfolio, I am no longer a complete newcomer.

With conviction in my story and mental preparation for rejection, I have submitted my manuscript to some of the top publishing houses, following their submission guidelines.

A couple of days ago, I received my first rejection letter. Rejections always sting, but it still felt better than getting ghosted. A rejection meant my submission had not been consigned to the digital trash bin without being seen. What if a different team at another publishing house decides to give my work a chance?

Art often offers hope to those who practice it, and the artist in me will use that hope to keep pushing forward.