The A to Z challenge is a challenge in which bloggers post every day during the entire month, and each day has a post starting with a different letter of the alphabet. The first day, the post features “A”, the second day “B”, and so on. It’s much better explained on the Blogging from A to Z website, so I’ll just refer you there.

As authors, we have to deal with rejection every day. But as often as we face it, take it from me: it still sucks. I hate it when my manuscripts get rejected. If it’s from a publisher I’ve already made one deal with, then it’s even worse.

For my Mirrorland series, the publisher was happy to take on board the first book, “Fractured”. But when I sent them the second book back in 2013, the managing publisher then stated they wouldn’t pick it up, because they were moving on to other genres. They’d decided to focus on paranormal romance (and my books do have some romance, but apparently not enough), contemporary romance and YA contemporary.

I was ruined. Devastated. And I learned one lesson: even if you’re confident the publisher who gave your first book a shot will pick up your second book, there’s no guarantee. Not unless you have a contract in writing (which I made sure I had with my children’s book publisher).

I couldn’t work on the manuscript for months. I had a whole series outline planned, and in a frustrated mood, I deleted it. I didn’t blame the publisher – I love InkSpell, and always will – but for me personally, it was hard.

But then the managing publisher stepped back, and her founding partner took over. And when I contacted her, rather randomly, I must add, she was glad to take a look at my sequel. And then she sent me a contract for signing and said she’d love to publish it.

We’re not all that lucky though. And rejection is one of the toughtest things of being an author. I’ve had a few, and I’m still not used to it.