We’ve All Been Here

I almost slapped the word “Rejection” at the top of this blog before I even took a breath. Truly. That was my working title. Dramatic, right? But then Rob (my guy) read the agent’s email and immediately shook his head. “This isn’t a rejection,” he said. “This is a positive pass.”

And once I let that land, I realized he was right. Thanks, Rob ☺️

I’m on this long, hopeful, sometimes-messy journey to publish my book. Yes, I’ve actually written a book! If you missed that post, you can catch up on it here. The hard stuff is behind me: a 76,000-word manuscript, a carefully crafted 70-page book proposal, and a few submissions out in the world. And then you wait.

And wait…

And then something arrives in your inbox.

The other morning, one of the agents wrote back within days of my submission. This is unheard of in the publishing world. Before I opened the email, I braced myself for the worst (because that’s what we do, right?). But instead, she said she “truly enjoyed” reading every page of my proposal and found it incredibly relatable.

Pause. Take that in. Someone who reads hundreds of proposals actually enjoyed mine.

Then came the caveat, not a rejection, just a reality check. She said my author platform wasn’t quite significant enough for her list. Not because the writing wasn’t strong or the story wasn’t good — simply because I didn’t fit into her current orbit.

And that, surprisingly, didn’t crush me.

Don’t Worry—This Won’t Stop Me

Ok, so I’m a little disappointed. But I’m also weirdly excited. I’m still determined to find my people—my agent, my publisher, my future cheerleaders. Hello? Anyone out there listening? Universe? And honestly, this felt different. I’m not in control, and for a controlling Leo like me, it makes this process even more challenging. I pour my heart into a proposal, hit submit, and get a polite “thank you for your submission.” It feels impersonal, even deflating. And yet… this is the part where things get real. The toughest part isn’t the almost-rejection — it’s choosing to keep going anyway. And guess what? I’m still going.

I’m learning (again) that I’m not in control of the timeline. Or the algorithm. Or the mysterious publishing universe that decides when someone’s “platform” is big enough.

But I am in control of how I keep moving.

A Redirection, Not a Rejection

As far as agent passes go, this one was pretty complimentary — so I’m choosing to see it not as a no, but as a not yet. Maybe even a yes, but from someone else. So, I need to keep at it. What’s that saying? I didn’t come this far to only come this far.

What Really Matters

I refuse to let followers, likes, shares, or any other number determine the value of my voice. The worth of my story doesn’t come from an algorithm; it comes from the people who read it and feel something.

And I know those people exist — even if they haven’t all found me yet. (If you’re reading this, you’re one of them.)

If You’re Facing a “Not Yet”

If you’re facing your own form of rejection, publishing or otherwise, I hope you hear this: the world is full of people who gave up right before something shifted. I don’t want to be one of them. And you probably don’t either.

Why I Started

At the end of the day, I didn’t start writing because I had a platform. I started writing because something in me needed to be said. And if that’s still true, and it is, then no amount of “not yet” is going to shut me down.

So yes, I’ll keep submitting. I’ll keep sharing. I’ll keep building, even if it’s slow, even if it’s imperfect.

If you’re here reading this, you’re already part of the foundation I’m building. Thank you. Every comment, share, and message reminds me why I started this journey in the first place.

If you’ve faced your own “not yet,” I’d love to hear how you kept going—share your story below.