Since I have submitted my script to some publishers in New Zealand and Australia (8 to be precise), my morning routine consists of two things: counting the days of my calendar and checking the unread emails in my inbox.

I have read and re-read the automatic reply that hits your inbox straight after your submission a thousand times:

“Thank you for submitting your work to us online. This will now be passed to the board of editors for their consideration. We will be in touch with you once a decision has been reached – this can take up to 3 months. We appreciate your patience and will contact you in due course.”

“Patience” and “due course”. They’re the only words I can hold on for now. It’s a pretty crappy feeling to wonder if you will ever have feedback, something, anything from these publishers.

I know the rules. The silence of their response will break your dreams or further correspondence will bring you closer to the ultimate goal.

“Because of the large volume of submissions we receive, we are able to respond only to authors whose manuscripts we wish to develop.”

I find it hard to accept the rejection without knowing the reason. It’s like being dumped by your companion without knowing why. How can I get better if I don’t know my weaknesses? What’s wrong with my book? So many questions unanswered that leave you bitter and sad.

It eats you from the inside. How come my utterly amazing book, hard work of many years, does not catch your attention? It’s not possible!

The truth is yes, it is. Accepting the fact that your amazing book is not everyone’s cup of tea or does not fit the requirements, are the first signs of wisdom to cope with the publishing industry.

As a writer, you’re writing for readers. Not (entirely) for yourself.