What to Do When No One Likes Your Book By Victoria B.

Okay, I suppose it's possible it's not that no one likes it and it's just that they don't want to publish it, but either way, it doesn't feel good. Having been an actor since the age of eight, I've experienced so much rejection, you'd think I'd be used to it by now. Still, trying to get my first novel published has been an exercise in self-esteem. So I've compiled a list of the logical steps to take when you're in the throes of rejection.

1. Knit a sweater out of your tears.
2. Write a memoir about it.
2a. Attempt to get your memoir published.
2b. Return to this list.
2c. Open an Etsy shop to sell all your sweaters. You have too many sweaters.
3. Continue this process until you have such a thriving Etsy business that you forget about your dream to be a writer.
4. Find some fulfilment in your life as an independent artist with a booming Etsy business.
4b. Realize you are producing fewer tears.
4c. Watch your business crumble under the tragedy of your happiness.
5. Maybe try writing again. Perhaps this break will have given you a fresh perspective with which to rework your manuscript.
6. Try submitting again.
7. Hope your attempts don’t lead you back to this list.
8. If they do, return to step 1.

Stay strong, my fellow writers. It’s a brutal world out there. And consider submitting your manuscript to Unsolicited Press! Submissions are currently OPEN. Put down your knitting needles and send in your work! I believe in you.

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