You’d be hard-pressed to find an author (even a prolific, best-selling one) who hasn’t experienced disappointment at some point. Every submission is a new and unique event. Acceptance is not guaranteed. It’s helpful to understand why publishers sometimes reject a fiction manuscript.
Keep in mind that rejection doesn’t automatically signify the end of the road for your fiction manuscript. Kathryn Stockett, author of “The Help,” which was ultimately made into a movie, received 60 rejections before her manuscript was accepted. Publishers turned down iconic author, Stephen King 30 times before his first novel, “Carrie,” was accepted and became a best seller. Whether you’re a novice or experienced author, never let rejection stop you from trying to achieve your goal. Keep going.
Rebounding after a publisher has rejected your fiction manuscript
To bounce back after rejection of a fiction manuscript, it’s helpful to understand the primary issues that might lead to a rejection. The issues listed below often compel publishers to turn down submissions:
- The story does not have a unique spin.
- Similar submissions were recently accepted.
- The manuscript needs revisions to achieve its full potential.
- The author did not adhere to submission guidelines.
Sometimes, more than one of these issues exists in a single fiction manuscript. There are numerous other reasons why a publisher might send a rejection notice. Conducting a thorough review of your manuscript before submitting it (and hiring a professional editor to do the same) helps avoid these and other problematic issues.
Let’s break down each of the rejection issues listed in the previous section
It’s been said that there’s no such thing as a “new” story, only unique re-telling of stories that already exist. There’s an element of truth to this, particularly in the Christian fiction industry. Even if your story is like other books, a publisher might still accept it if you give it a unique spin. In other words, you can tell “the same old story,” if you tell it in a way that’s fresh and compelling.
You might receive a fiction manuscript rejection notice because the timing was off. It doesn’t necessarily mean your book is not worth publishing, only that it is bad timing for a specific publisher, perhaps because similar submissions were recently accepted. If timing is not the problem, it may be that the publisher has guidelines that you failed to meet.
Finally, a publisher might tell you that your manuscript has potential but needs work. It’s a mistake to disregard constructive criticism. Instead, ask for feedback that provides a starting point for revisions, and seek professional editing assistance to shape your novel into its finest form. You might decide to re-submit your fiction manuscript to the same publisher or try another publishing house. Either way, if you have a dream and believe in your story, don’t give up.
