Writing Rejections Are Seeds to Writing Success

by Stephanie Alton

Before entering the publishing industry, I envisioned agents and editors like Hollywood celebrities. All of them would have mounds of money, nannies, cleaners, and assistants. These publishing elites could pick up the phone and whoever was on the receiving end would always answer with an enthusiastic yes—making the repped writer’s dream come true.

My vision was wrong. It seems the mound of money isn’t quite as tall, we all do our best to prioritize our families and do a good job at work, some have assistants and/or cleaners (but that is on my wish list), and no is the most common word I hear. If you’ve ever watched the Lego Batman movie, you know this is the perfect place to queue the No No No rap. As discouraging as this realty could be, I see my frequent rejections as seeds of success.

Wonder who in their right mind would tell an agent no & why? 

Let’s start with editors. They’re lovely people, but they dish out more no’s than I care for. They have to and have some of the politest ways of doing so. Their no could be from a recent acquisition that is similar in nature to the project I just pitched. Maybe it’s because someone on the board doesn’t see the project selling well. Or the project or author just may not fit in that season for that publishing house.

I could continually beat myself up over not making a match. Or I can do something with the feedback. It's been through analyzing the feedback from the rejections that I have been able to better gauge what type of work or author fits where. 

Who else tells agents no? Good question! Sometimes our clients tell us it is no longer working out for them. That’s right. Sometimes they breakup with us. Recently, I had one that came as a surprise. As I reported the news to my colleague, Blythe, she responded in sympathy describing exactly the pit in my stomach I was feeling. She’s been there. Her ability to show me that her scar matches my wound gave me a sense of comfort. I think as writers, that’s what we all aim to do, comfort others from the other side of pain.

Breakups still suck, but they too are seeds for success. It’s God revealing our paths are going in different directions and He’s making room for new people in the agency.

So why do agents reject so many and how do these noes become a seed for success? An agent telling you no is more of a not yet. We may see that your writing might not be ready for publication – as it was way for you to process your feelings. This is never wasted writing since it helped transform your heart by getting your thoughts on paper. They just aren’t organized in a way to be helpful to the reader – yet. The courage it took to share your not ready for publication story is the seed you planted to become a successful writer. Keep at it. You’ll find your way.

Sometimes our no is because we aren’t able to see how you will be able to sell many books. Yes. I’m referring to everyone’s least favorite topic. The platform. It’s ok. You can roll your eyes at me. I cringe a little at having to bring it up. 

Your platform reveals a lot about how you are engaging with an audience in person, in ministry, through organizations, emails, podcasts, publications, media, and online outlets. These are your connection points for selling your future book, and with all things sales, the more the merrier. Each of these connections are seeds for success – even if it is not a monetary exchange.

Sometimes it is not you, it’s me. I try to keep my clients’ works’ from competing. I don’t want to sign multiple people at or close to the same time who talk about adoption and end up having to pitch those projects at the same time. It doesn’t go well. So, the no you receive from me could be about timing.

Whatever the case may be for your not yet response, know that a no from agent or editor is compassionate. We know that you have poured a lot into what you presented to us. So when you do receive a not yet, may it stir a little reactance in you. May you find a way to rework your message/story, or repurpose your work into an article, a guide, or series. May it fuel your fire in delivering a stellar message at a speaking gig, or to figure out how to grow your email list.

Rejections may sting as the soil breaks. But plant those seeds, tend to them, and watch your success grow.

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Writing Rejections Are Seeds to Writing Success from Literary Agent Stephanie Alton on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Stephanie Alton is a literary agent in the Christian market and marketer with The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. and represents non-fiction and select fiction works. She has been with BDA for 10 years splitting her time between the agency’s The Book Pod Interview & Review Network offering books for review, authors for interviews, and launch team management. Along with publicity campaigns, helping authors develop, and securing book deals with traditional publishers. Stephanie lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband and two teens. She loves sunset cruising the bayou to the bay.