Rejections Don’t Mean Your Book Is Bad

If you believe every rejection means your book is worthless, brace yourself for good news. This article may challenge that assumption.

Rejections sting. No matter how many times you remind yourself that it’s “part of the process,” opening yet another polite pass from a literary agent can feel like a personal blow. But here’s the truth: a rejection doesn’t mean your book is bad. 

Let’s break that down.

1. Agents reject books for reasons that have nothing to do with quality.
You might have written a fantastic novel, but if an agent just signed a book with a similar premise, they have no reason to take on another one. Or maybe your genre isn’t selling well in the current market, making it a tough pitch to publishers. Sometimes, the timing just isn’t right.

2. Publishing is subjective.
One agent’s rejection is another agent’s obsession. Some of the biggest literary successes in history were rejected dozens—if not hundreds—of times before finding a home. The Help by Kathryn Stockett? Rejected 60 times. Carrie by Stephen King? Rejected 30 times. And let’s not forget Harry Potter, turned down by 12 publishers before becoming a global phenomenon.

3. A form rejection doesn’t mean your book is bad; it means the query didn’t connect.
If you’re getting only form rejections with no feedback, it might be time to reassess your pitch. Are you clearly presenting your story’s hook? Are your comp titles well-chosen? Are your opening pages strong enough? Sometimes, a book is great, but the way it’s being pitched isn’t working.

4. Personalized rejections are valuable—pay attention to them.
If an agent takes the time to offer feedback, that’s a sign they saw potential. If multiple agents mention the same issue—pacing, character development, worldbuilding—it’s worth taking a step back and considering revisions.

5. Rejection is a badge of honor.
Every rejection means you’re in the game. You’re taking the necessary steps to get your work out there, and that alone is something to be proud of. The only way to guarantee failure in publishing is to stop trying.

So, what now?
If you’re receiving rejections, take stock. If you’re getting personalized feedback, use it. If your query isn’t landing, rework it. And if you truly believe in your book, keep going. The right agent is out there—it’s just a matter of finding them.

The only writers who never face rejection are the ones who never submit. Keep submitting.