Hard Truths about the Publishing Industry

You'll be rejected. A lot.

Probably hundreds of times from agents and publishers alike. It always hurts. Though, in time, you do learn how to deal with it. When you get one rejection, send out two more queries. That was always my motto. And have a good cry if you need to.

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This industry is harder on people with mental illness and/or chronic illness.

Seriously, the amount of anxiety and worsening depression I've gotten from rejections, bad reviews, and harsh criticism has been difficult. But you have to weigh the good with the bad. I love writing, so I continue to put up with the negative things that come along with this industry. And I always celebrate my wins and victories, no matter how small.

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Book deals can be cancelled.

In 2024, I had a book deal cancelled. After a year of back and forth with a publisher, my editor and I just couldn't agree on many things. 'Creative differences' as it's called. We both decided it was best to cancel the book deal. Fortunately, my other publisher agreed to take on these books, but a book deal is never set in stone. It can be ended for many reasons, and sometimes, you just don't work well with an editor. Although it was the right thing to do for me and my book, I was very sad for a long time.

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Similarly, agents can quit.

There's nothing worse than signing with an agent or a publisher and being happy, then that agent leaves the business or the publisher shuts down. Unfortunately, they can and do for many reasons, leaving you at square one. My agent left the business last year, 2024, due to health issues. It's been tough getting back into querying, but I have no choice.

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Edits can be soul-crushing.

This depends a lot on your editor's style, but sometimes, getting edits from an agent or publisher can stress you out, especially if you open your document and it's covered in red marks. And it's challenging to try to figure out how to make your work better. So many thoughts run through my mind: what if I can't fix this? What if I'm not smart enough? My advice is to be honest with your editor, ask for help, and seek support from other writer friends who understand.

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Your first book probably won't sell. And some others down the line won't, either.

This was a hard fact for me to accept. The first book I ever wrote was rejected so many times, I lost count. I was a first-time author, not knowing what I was doing. I needed to spend more time (a few years) honing my craft and reading more books before I could get an agent and book deal. And even now, there are some books I've written that just won't sell. (Because, after all, publishing is about timing and luck, and I just haven't found the right editor yet.) Maybe I'll self-publish them one day when I have time. But for now, it's upsetting.

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Success is never guaranteed.

You can work very hard, write dozens of novels, and seek feedback to improve. But ultimately, no one in this industry can promise you anything: an agent, a book deal, money, book success and fame. You can work hard for years and still not get anywhere or make a dime. But remember: this is NOT a reflection of your quality of work. A lot of things come into play when it comes to getting an agent or a book deal. Which leads me to my next point...

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Luck plays a huge role in your career.

Have you ever read a book you didn't think was very good, but it was a huge commercial success? I guarantee that author and book had a lot of good luck. It takes luck, something completely out of your hands, to find the right agent that's looking for a manuscript just like yours. It takes luck to find a publisher seeking it, then more luck to become popular. And there's no way to increase your odds. Sometimes, it's simply "right place, right time".

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There are a lot of scams out there. Be careful.

It's becoming more common these days to be scammed and fooled. From bad agents to publishers not paying their authors, you can be taken advantage of in many ways. Please, be careful. If something seems suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is. Don't hesitate to reach out to me or other writers if you receive a contract you aren't sure about. Asking questions and being vigilant might just save you! Writers Beware is a good website to keep track of.

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Bad reviews hurt.

They hurt every time, even if they're worded nicely. My advice? Stay off Goodreads and Amazon. Don't go searching for bad reviews for your books. Obviously, your book was not for that reader, and that's okay. You WILL find your target audience, but you have to keep going.

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If I think of more harsh truths, I'll share them here. Again, I don't mean to discourage or scare any writer out there. I just want you to know all the things I've learned. Publishing is difficult and us writers are only human. It's natural to find it challenging at times, but if I can do it, so can you. Take care of yourself, writer!