“What If No One Ever Publishes My Novel?”
Worried that your novel might never get published? You’re in good company. Almost every writer I know has stared down that fear – and yes, sometimes it actually happens. It’s normal for a manuscript to be rejected dozens of times (at least!).
Rejection tends to sting the most when we’re just starting out. Failing to get noticed right away can feel devastating, or like the universe is giving you a signal. You might even think: if writing is really my path, wouldn’t I get published immediately?
Here’s the reality: a “no” doesn’t define your future as an author. Recognising that every writer faces this anxiety can be surprisingly freeing. Sharing it, acknowledging it, and treating it as part of the journey makes it easier to handle.
So, let’s put the fear aside and get moving. Ready? Then let’s go …
Tip # 1: Name The Fear!
The worry you will ‘never’ be published comes from self-doubt. That’s why we need to crush self-doubt wherever possible. We can do this by identifying common thought spirals and rejecting them, such as …
- “I’m not talented enough.” Seriously, how do you know this? Authors are notoriously bad at running themselves down. Besides, you may have someone’s favourite book of all time inside you.
- “I’ve already failed.” Authors frequently skip ahead and tell themselves they’ve failed already. They do this because it seems ‘realistic’ and might help ‘manage expectations’. But guess what? This tactic won’t make rejection hurt any less, so you might as well hope for the best outcome!
- “The gatekeepers are against me”. Some authors like to imagine the industry is against them to help fend off disappointment. Whilst the industry is hierarchical, ultimately it wants great stories, well told. That can be YOU, no matter your background.
Naming the fear stops it from controlling you in the background. Don’t let it suck you under and hack your brain.
Tip # 2: Redefining What ‘Published’ Means
In ye olden days of just 15-20 years ago, publishing was very much a closed shop. You had to get a literary agent, who in turn would take your book to the Big Publishers and a small selection of Indies. That was the only route in.
Yet nowadays, authors have more options than they’ve ever had. The digital revolution with the Kindle, Kobo, KDP etc has changed everything. There are more indie publishers, digital-firsts, micropresses and self-publishing than ever.
This means that in real terms, it’s actually impossible not to get published … because you can learn how and do it yourself!
This fear often comes from a narrow definition of ‘success’, especially when authors see self-publishing as a last resort.
In real terms, self-publishing can be amazing. You can have more control and even make more money than a traditional deal!
Instead of looking at the industry the ‘old’ way, look at it with NEW eyes. Instead of thinking, ‘I want a traditional publishing deal or I am a failure’, think how can I SHARE my writing with the world?
Flipping that mindset switch can make all the difference!
Tip # 3: Building Resilience as a Writer
Persistence is the key skill in any author’s toolkit. Various things will happen in not only writing, editing and submitting your novel, but in the publishing of it as well.
There will even be times you do everything you’re supposed to, but someone else drops the ball. That is inevitable. Cultivating resilience is all about creating strategies to help you keep on keeping on:
- Rejections as data, not verdicts.
- Tracking small wins (shortlists, personalised feedback, finished drafts).
- Building a writing practice that is not solely outcome-based.
Keep your feet on the ground any way you can. As the saying goes, novel writing is a marathon, not a sprint!
Tip # 4: Community, Not Competition
It’s true that many of our loved ones don’t truly get what it’s like to be a writer. This is why finding peers who do can really help ease the loneliness of the fear.
Writing groups, events and online communities can be great places to share the struggle. Knowing that others have to face climbing the same wall helps you keep climbing it!
Tip # 5: Action Beats Anxiety
Fear can make you stand still because it thrives in stagnation. In contrast, movement shrinks the fear … which is why it’s a GREAT IDEA to keep going! Here’s some ideas of how to do that …
- Make submissions, often. Whether you’re sending to agents, contests, anthologies, writing websites, magazines or journals, keep at it. If it’s scary, then it’s working.
- Keep on learning! Be a student of the craft. Keep going to workshops, reading books, getting feedback.
- Take back your power. Publishers and agents love autonomous writers. Build your platform. Start small with your own blog, TikTok, IG, email list, book club or similar. Create a following by having fun, doing what you love.
The progress you make will help give you confidence … and take you where you want to be. What’s not to like?
Last Points
Fear is part of the writing journey, but it doesn’t have to dictate it. Your only job is to keep writing, keep submitting, keep showing up. Publishing may take longer than you want, but every word written is proof you haven’t let fear win.
Good Luck!
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