Rejection Reimagined: Tactics That Build Momentum
Every writer collecting submissions will eventually collect something else as well: rejections.
They arrive in many forms—polite passes, form responses, the occasional champagne rejection that almost makes the “no” feel like encouragement.
At first, rejections can feel deeply personal. After all, writing a book often means putting a piece of your imagination—and sometimes your heart—out into the world. But one of the most important mindset shifts writers can make is this:
Rejections are not roadblocks. They’re evidence that you’re in motion.
In fact, when writers share their submission stories with me, I often find that momentum—not perfection—is the true predictor of success.
Writers who continue submitting, revising, and learning from feedback steadily build forward movement. Each submission becomes a small step along a much longer creative path.
Here are a few ways to transform rejection into momentum:
1. Track your submissions.
Keeping a simple log helps you see progress that might otherwise feel invisible.
2. Reframe the “no.”
A rejection doesn’t mean the story has no value. It means it wasn’t the right fit for that editor or agent at that moment. Just because that agent or editor didn’t accept it doesn’t mean the next one won’t.
3. Keep the pipeline active.
Successful writers rarely have just one manuscript circulating. They are constantly developing new work, especially while previous stories are out on submission.
4. Look for the signal within the noise.
If several agents respond similarly, that can be valuable information about something that might need revision.
Over time, rejections become less intimidating and more informational. They tell you that your work is being seen. And that’s the first step toward finding the person who will say yes.
If you’re navigating the submissions process and looking for guidance on how to approach agents and editors strategically, you may find the free training I co-created with Julie Hedlund helpful: The Picture Book Publishing Roadmap: 3 Insider Secrets That Will Skyrocket Your Chances of Landing a Book Deal.
Because the goal isn’t simply to avoid rejection. It’s to keep moving forward.
