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| Click to read Tim Burton's rejection from Disney. |
For any of you who know my tale of rejection, I suffered through nearly 200 rejections to get my first middle-grade novel published. All writers start at the bottom. It doesn't matter how good, bad, or ugly your writing is, we all start on a level playing field. That said, I wanted to list some beloved and very famous writers' rejection numbers. I think it will make everyone who's struggling to get published feel a bit better. The road to publishing is tough and unforgiving, but equally as rewarding, so keep moving forward no matter what.
William Saroyan: William Saroyan, a Pulitzer Prize winner, received
a whopping 7,000 rejections before selling his first short story. 7,000!!!!
Kenneth Grahame: The Wind in the Willows was not intended to
be published, and was rejected in America before appearing in England. It has
since sold 25 million copies worldwide.
Louisa May Alcott: Louisa May Alcott was told by a publisher
to stick to teaching. Little Women subsequently went on to sell in the
millions. The publisher, however, is no longer in business.
Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen: Chicken Soup for the
Soul received 134 rejections. Over 125 million copies of the novel have sold.
Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was rejected over
and again, until Potter herself decided to self-publish 250 copies. It has now
sold 45 million copies and counting.
J.K. Rowling: J.K. Rowling submitted Harry Potter to 12
publishing houses, all of which rejected it. Twelve rejections is not very many, but
don't you think those publishers are kicking themselves just a little?
Meg Cabot: After racking up three years of rejection letters Meg Cabot finally
sells The Princess Diaries, which went on to sell 15 million copies. She keeps
all those rejection letters to this day.
In other words, KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
You were looking at me today, Hilary, weren't you? Thanks for the reminder to keep on truckin'.
ReplyDeleteHa! I think I was thinking of myself!! KEEP ON TRUCKING is right!
DeleteFabulous. And the list goes on and on. NEVER EVER QUIT! No one ever won by giving up.
ReplyDeleteI feel disappointed when writers give up after only a few rejections. You have to build a tough outer shell!! :)
DeleteQuitting gets you nowhere. Thanks for sharing these writers who persevered. Got a chuckle from that out of business publisher.
ReplyDeleteRight? Had they published the book, I bet things might have turned out differently.
DeleteI'm in the 200 club.
ReplyDeletePaul, we are a very select and esteemed group! :)
DeleteHilary, love this post and the numbers! I myself suffered through 189 rejections - so right up there with you :). Love seeing Meg Cabot here. My agent, Bill Contardi, is her dramatic rights agent, so that inspires me!
ReplyDeleteBeing an author is about a life of roller coaster rejection - and acceptance. Once we get an agent or publisher there can be rejection in editing,rejection in reviews - and rejection with more novels on submission! But I aim more for the highs than lows though. I love the line "A published author is a writer who didn't give up." And we must be our own champions first before others will follow.
I know some people celebrate rejections because they are a sign you've worked hard to get your stories out there. That's a great attitude, and I admire it. Keeping going in the face of rejection is a great skill, like learning how to fall so you don't break your bones....
ReplyDeleteAnd here I was ready to panic over my 40 rejections.
ReplyDelete