From rejections to getting published.
Image taken from Google images.
This post is about perseverance, and not letting rejection letters keep you down—it’s also about success.
As I began writing my debut psychological crime thriller, I knew I was stepping into a field I knew little about, beyond reading. My past was steeped in drawing and painting, not in wordsmithing. Here I was, in my late sixties, taking a high wire leap without a net to catch me should I fail. What this meant to me was that I needed to learn this craft as I used it. I began work on this novel in 2021. I did what I could to write the thriller, and learn all I could of the craft of writing—from home.
In less than a year, I had written my first draft. I was elated and so very proud—until I realized it was only the beginning of the adventure. Many more drafts were to follow. Then, after having the novel edited and critiqued, I felt sure it was ready. I composed a query letter, a synopsis and a short bio. Obviously, literary agents would read my query, ask to read the whole novel, and then offer to represent me and my book. I was wrong, and reality set in. Agent after agent sent back a rejection letter, many of those form letters, but some actually explained what they liked and thought still needed further work. A couple even asked to read the full manuscript. But all rejected my novel. I did hire an editor to do a developmental edit, which helped, but more was needed.
So, here’s my take on it. As an author, I wrote ‘The Profiler’s Shadow’ aware it was in an already niche sub-genre (psychological crime thriller), and my main character is a transgender woman and her queer friends. The main character has PTSD and has to deal with its effects, all the while helping law enforcement catch a serial killer. There’s plenty to make any literary agent hesitant because it doesn’t seem mainstream enough, and might not do well in the marketplace. It’s a tough sell, to say the least.
The truth of the matter is that I sent off those query letters too soon. The manuscript wasn’t polished enough, and that’s on me. Nonetheless, I refused to give up and edited, deleted whole chapters and rewrote new ones. I continued editing over and over, catching every error and mistake I could. I shed my ego early on because there was so much I needed help with. Writing is a process, one that can be short for some, but in my case, it’s more of a slow burn. And I dare say, the process has grown on me; I actually enjoy it now. It reminds me of my years as a painter in many ways.
So, now for the good news. I continued sending query letters to literary agents, and then I thought I could query the publisher directly, and I did. I searched out those medium- and small-press publishers mainly because I wanted the natural flavour and kink that the big publishers lack. After a couple of rejections, I started thinking it might turn out as it did with agents, and that is when DarkWinter Press reached out about my query letter, wanting to read a full manuscript. In less than ten minutes, I emailed DarkWinter Press my baby. I don’t remember how long it took before they responded, but it was a matter of days, less than a week. They wanted it! I literally let out a loud yelp of relief and joy.
Sure, I wish I had an agent, and it could happen in the future, but I think ‘The Profiler’s Shadow’ will do well in the hands of DarkWinter Press. So, I’m an indie author, yay me.
Maybe due to age, and partly because I really want my novel to have every opportunity to succeed, I am hiring a publicist to help with promotion and other ways to gain exposure for the book. Do keep your eyes out for ‘The Profiler’s Shadow’, which will be released in November 2026.
