My agent got another rejection yesterday for my fantasy novel ZERVAKAN. Once again it was a “positive rejection” — the editor said the book was good, but not great. At least I chose to see it as a positive rejection. The editor could’ve sent a form letter.
Anyway, I have a four-stage process for dealing with book rejection.
- Spend an hour in “Pity City” (as a former manager of mine used to say). Whine to my wife that nobody’s ever going to buy the book. Eat salty foods.
- Think about some of the successful authors I admire. J.A. Konrath wrote nine novels before he got got picked up by a major publisher. Brandon Sanderson wrote at least seven novels before his big break. Now he’s finishing the “Wheel of Time” series, the greatest fantasy epic of my generation.
- Remind myself I’m only on my fourth novel.
- Apply my butt to my chair and finish that fourth novel. Because this will be the one.
This seems to work for me. Your results may vary.