The Cat's Write

The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer

—

by

Milly Schmidt
in

If you aspire to the lofty heights of ‘published’ writer, no doubt you’ve faced rejection time and time again – as I have. I am currently querying my novel, Mesmerise, with agents and considering there are only 15 Literary Agents in Australia, and I can only submit to about seven, self-publishing is starting to look damn attractive right about now.

We should all expect to get rejected as a writer, so please don’t let it get you down! If all else fails there’s always self-publishing, or another wonderful story (with commercial potential) lurking in your mind.

Before I get all teary-eyed, here are the nine stages of getting rejected as a writer to cheer us all up! (Because we’re all in this together…)

1. Waiting anxiously to hear back and knowing ‘you’ve got this’ because you’ve already told half the people you know that you’re getting published

creepycat_zps000fefc5

 

2. Your inbox ‘pings’ with an email from… THE PUBLISHER/AGENT!!

idea cat

 

3. Reading the rejection email – and your world falls apart

worldending

 

4. But then… you realise you must have sent your initial query to the wrong person. Let’s just change the title and genre and resubmit it 22 more times to make sure…

grey-cat

 

5. Seriously why the hell would you want to be published by them anyway? You’re better off without them

Angry-cat-hates-everything

 

6. Wallowing in your self-pity, you wonder what you are going to say to the 200 guests that will be at your ‘getting published’ party next week

embarrassed cat

 

7. At this point, you just want to go hide in the biggest hole you can find

cat-hiding

 

8. Eventually you realise that perhaps they really weren’t looking for a pirate romance right now. ISALLGOOD

waiting cat

 

9. Battle scarred but still hopeful as ever, you send off another round of submissions and march into battle

confident cat

 

Never give up… never surrender…

Comments

55 responses to “The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer”

  1. Are writers born or made? – The Cat's Write Avatar
    Are writers born or made? – The Cat's Write

    […] you really need to be a successful writer is resilience, not talent. Not ony to put up with all the rejection you’ll undoubtedly face over your career, but to be brave enough to continue writing even when […]

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  2. The Little Blog That Could – The Cat's Write Avatar
    The Little Blog That Could – The Cat's Write

    […] think like that. Because you know what? If I didn’t have all those mountains to climb and those God-awful rejection letters to overcome, my blog wouldn’t be where it is today. No one wants to read a blog about a perfect life. […]

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  3. Laura Laakso Avatar
    Laura Laakso

    Very amusing! If I need to sulk after a rejection letter, I hug a dog and try not to get licked. Not quite as sarcastic as cats but it does cheer me up.

    Like

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  4. Are writers born or made? | Milly Schmidt Avatar
    Are writers born or made? | Milly Schmidt

    […] you really need to be a successful writer is resilience, not talent. Not ony to put up with all the rejection you’ll undoubtedly face over your career, but to be brave enough to continue writing even when […]

    Like

    Reply
  5. anovelattitude Avatar
    anovelattitude

    Oh this is hilarious!

    Like

    Reply
  6. The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer – with cats – 👁️ STREETPSYCHIATRY 👁️ Avatar
    The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer – with cats – 👁️ STREETPSYCHIATRY 👁️

    […] Source: The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer – with cats […]

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  7. StreetPsychiatry Avatar
    StreetPsychiatry

    Love your page, you’re definitely talented and I thoroughly enjoyed your fitting cat clips

    Like

    Reply
  8. How to successfully query a literary agent – millie schmidt writes… with cats Avatar
    How to successfully query a literary agent – millie schmidt writes… with cats

    […] at this minute, or even this second. You are not alone. I even wrote a blog post last month on The nine states of facing rejection – with cats – in my attempt to make myself feel […]

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  9. perpetuallybooked Avatar
    perpetuallybooked

    Yep, that about sums it all up!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. millie schmidt Avatar
      millie schmidt

      Hahah I know right. The sad life of writers! Got another rejection just today actually!!

      Like

      Reply
  10. How to successfully query a literary agent – millie schmidt writes… with cats Avatar
    How to successfully query a literary agent – millie schmidt writes… with cats

    […] rejected right at this minute. You are not alone. I even wrote a blog post last month on The nine states of facing rejection – with cats – I promise it will make you feel […]

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  11. getstartupsllcarticles Avatar
    getstartupsllcarticles

    Ok, this is amazing

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. daninstockholm Avatar
    daninstockholm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. millie schmidt Avatar
      millie schmidt

      Yay thank you !! ☺️

      Like

      Reply
  13. The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer – with cats | daninstockholm Avatar
    The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer – with cats | daninstockholm

    […] Source: The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer – with cats […]

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  14. swanriverrose Avatar
    swanriverrose

    Awesome post. If only my cat would do all those things! I’ve been lucky enough to get a non fiction book accepted. I have yet to screw up the courage for a fiction submission.

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  15. Don Maker Avatar
    Don Maker

    After years of both being rejected and accepted by publishers (yes, mostly rejected), I really focused on the contracts. You have little control over the result. You will make virtually no money. And you still have to do your own marketing. I have now self-published four novels, and that’s what I will stick to. Unless you become really famous (not necessarily from writing …), going with a traditional publisher just does not pay.

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  16. wendyunsworth Avatar
    wendyunsworth

    Go self-publishing! An absolutely wonderful post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Ann Coleman Avatar
    Ann Coleman

    Very funny, and also accurate, description of trying to market our books! Thanks!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. maliaann Avatar
    maliaann

    I had a top agent who I had to fire after 4 years because his personal life was so messed up, he was rarely sending out my book. Then I made the mistake of signing with an Independent publisher. He was a horrible, verbally abusive, non-marketing jackass. After several years of anger, upsets, and frustrations, I finally I said, screw it! I took back my books and republished them myself on Amazon in October. I am so much happier, and I feel empowered! 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. millie schmidt Avatar
      millie schmidt

      I’m so glad your story has such a happy ending!! Im sorry you had such a bad experience with an independent publisher – sounds horrible! I’m thinking I should just jump straight into self-publishing, but I might still try a few publishers before I do ☺️

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. maliaann Avatar
        maliaann

        Of course! Good luck and I hope things go awesome for you. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
  19. maliaann Avatar
    maliaann

    Reblogged this on Writing for the Whole Darn Universe.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  20. wonderfulwritingsblog Avatar
    wonderfulwritingsblog

    Very well evoked. Hahahahaha 🙂 I will be submitting in the near future. My armor is polished 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  21. The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer – with cats – Sup.Halle

    […] Source: The nine stages of facing rejection as a writer – with cats […]

    Liked by 1 person

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  22. panini4life Avatar
    panini4life

    Can I say that reading this made me sob grossly, but then I laughed because cat memes.
    I applaud you for even getting that far. I’ve been dreaming of being a published writer since I could read. I have more notebooks than I care to count with half-finished ideas, I just never get that far.
    I think I need discipline….yeah…and to stop falling down the side of complacency.
    So I applaud you. You are my unsung hero. You finished a manuscript (please teach me your ways) and that’s awesome. The fact that you’re going out there is awesome.
    So to wrap things up…I think I just wanted to tell you that’ you’re awesome.
    Don’t give up!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  23. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar
    Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

    Like you I haven’t quite decided yet but even if you go with a mainstream publisher you end up having to do a lot of the marketing yourself via book shop signings, author talks and the like. They will give your book about 3 months to make it and if in that time it doesn’t it kind of fizzles. Admittedly they will do some advertising, get it in book shops and possibly get some reviews for it so there is some purpose with a mainstream publisher. I’m tempted to go self publishing and travel the countryside at the same time as it is released. Will enjoy watching your journey. Loved your cats. They made the rejections worthwhile.

    Liked by 2 people

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  24. kalanleitch Avatar
    kalanleitch

    I have a new perspective on this in my latest post. I call it The Rejection Reflex.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  25. Febry Avatar
    Febry

    This is the most accurate thing, I swear! I’m currently querying my book ‘Exposed’ and I’m just hoping and wishing for the best. I think as long as you believe in your work, you’re good to know. It’ll fall into the right hands at some point, hopefully. Good luck on your querying quest!! I’m rootin’ for ya!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  26. kduptonauthor Avatar
    kduptonauthor

    Brilliant post! You speak the truth;-)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  27. Daal Avatar
    Daal

    want to also say thanks for visiting my blog – especially as its led me to see your wonderful one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  28. Daal Avatar
    Daal

    wishing you the very best – am working myself up to self publishing – am experimenting with social media, learning it for now

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  29. Kristina Steiner Avatar
    Kristina Steiner

    I’ve self-published a book. It is a lot of hard work and a lot of mistakes. But it’s worth it. I’m sure you’ll make it happen.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  30. abbielynnsmith Avatar
    abbielynnsmith

    It’s SO easy to relate to this, but I’ve read some advice that says it can take 100 queries before your work reaches the right person. Good luck on your journey! I’ll be riding alongside you. 😊

    Like

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  31. Impybat Avatar
    Impybat

    Everything I’ve read & researched about traditional publishing has me scrambling to self-publishing: keeping the rights to worlds and characters that you created, ability to choose copy editors, cover artists…and no “gatekeepers” standing in the way.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  32. marushikakacolleen Avatar
    marushikakacolleen

    The self publishing route is the one I am taking. At the Writers Group I belong to we had a workshop on Self Publishing. There are some sites that charge you to “Self Publish” but the one I am using does not charge a sent, but recoups their costs once the books are sold. 🙂 Cheaper all the way around

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  33. kalanleitch Avatar
    kalanleitch

    Millie! Your cats seem to be handling this quite well, but as a fellow human, I can’t underestimate the discouragement of all this rejection.

    You refer to the 15 literary agents in Australia (where I also live): try 168 rejections from American agents. This is what I endured with my YA project, Labels, until I was so discouraged that I gave up on it (for now) and went on to question myself so heavily that I am struggling to work my way through my very messy NaNo project, Death Imitates Art. I had imagined Labels as an eye-opener for scores of teenage girls who, like my former students, need to feel that their epiphanies about unreliable adults are simply a normal part of maturity. Labels was such a favourite of mine, and I was so proud of it, that it is mortifying to have professionals consistently knock it back: usually politely, but not always.

    So, what to do? Self-Publish? Perhaps not, in my opinion, as we must always make room for the remote possibility that these professionals really do know what will sell, and what won’t. Self-publishing is like running your own business: if you are an entrepreneur at heart, then go for it. Personally, I need a safety net, so I don’t think I will ever go that way… that may mean my writing is only for close friends and a few competitions, but that is better than not writing at all.

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  34. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel Avatar
    Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

    My shortest rejection letter from an agent, said, “I’ll pass.” When I received the fifty pages of my requested MS back in my Self Addressed Stamped Envelope, it was written on the bottom of the first page. It’s been a long, long time and I still remember those words. I like having control over my work now. One perk I enjoy? I get to pick the models and design for my book covers.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  35. kinchski Avatar
    kinchski

    Cats make everything easier… I think I’ll keep this article open in another tab while sending manuscripts off, so I can process my feels via felines

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  36. athousandbitsofpaper Avatar
    athousandbitsofpaper

    Ha this made me laugh but I sense the undertone – you have the right attitude keep attacking with humour and accepting with grace 🍁🍂🌾🍃🌹

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  37. greg-in-washington Avatar
    greg-in-washington

    It is tough to break into the “bigtime”. Sometimes you just have to perform on the street corner, if such is your passion.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  38. kernerangelina Avatar
    kernerangelina

    cats!

    Wonderful post… depressing at times but wonderful. That poor white kitty!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  39. Cuckoo Zhiyou Avatar
    Cuckoo Zhiyou

    I don’t know how to get a book published by a traditional publisher, but am thinking if the book content is as funny as these cats, you’ll get there and rock!! 😀

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  40. Nyanla Avatar
    Nyanla

    Unfortunately, to some searching for a job looks EXACTLY the same. Purrfect post! 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  41. Holly Ann Kurt Avatar
    Holly Ann Kurt

    It WILL happen, don’t give up! Have faith now more than ever!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  42. kirascribbled Avatar
    kirascribbled

    The kitty’s are such a great laugh. If I ever put up something for publishing I’ll have to revisit this great post. 😄

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  43. Carolyn Dennis-Willingham Avatar
    Carolyn Dennis-Willingham

    Well, at least cats have “nine” lives. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  44. seafordmath Avatar
    seafordmath

    This is exactly how it goes. Well done and good luck!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  45. aresonantone Avatar
    aresonantone

    If you need a gentle nudge or hearty shove towards self-publication, go check out Joanna Penn’s podcasts at The Creative Penn. Seriously, they’re good stuff if you haven’t listened to them before. I think I’m going to do a post on why I am rejecting traditional publishing till they come to me on my turns. Of course, when does the 12th of Never come this year? 😉

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  46. Daley James Francis Avatar
    Daley James Francis

    I’ve self-published four novels to date and I love it. Complete freedom, no having to ‘fit in’ to what someone else perceives to be marketable, and 70% royalties from Amazon as opposed to around 10-20% (if you’re lucky) from a traditional publishers. As long as you’re prepared to a) Be a good writer, b) Pay for a good editor and proofreader, and c) get an awesome cover made, why not give it a shot? Surely it’s better to have purchasable books in the marketplace than to spend years begging someone else to publish it? Who knows, if your self-pubbed book does well, the traditional publishers might come calling (a la Andy Weir (The Martian) and Hugh Howey (Wool series).

    Liked by 6 people

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    1. jrhandleyblog Avatar
      jrhandleyblog

      You hit the nail on the head, being prepared to do your own backroom stuff.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  47. Nia Avatar
    Nia

    Oh boy, I know that feeling so well. I’m running out of agents to send my book to as well. But at least these days we live in a world where mainstream publishing isn’t the only way. I’m starting to look at self publishing – so many people rave about it these days!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  48. tcriggs Avatar
    tcriggs

    4 & 5, definitely – I’m still there. lol. The market is flooded. The process convoluted. If you look at writers market, it’s got long lists of what-not-to-send… which was odd, because these lists existed BEFORE 50 shades and in the heat of the Twilight hype. (i.e. no fan fiction)… I heard, in the old days, you just sent letters and the first few chapters straight to the publisher, no intermediary. (The how-to get published books had lots of history, little advice… lol) chin up. keep at it. eventually… fingers crossed.

    Liked by 4 people

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  49. Elizabeth Rose Avatar
    Elizabeth Rose

    While the rejection isn’t fun, your animated gifs are!

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
  50. Tony Burgess Avatar
    Tony Burgess

    A friend of mine has self published 3 books. There are challenges to doing it but if you have more creative control then it might be worth it.

    Liked by 6 people

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