I Fail A Lot

I fail a lot. In fact out of 10 things I try, I spectacularly fail at 8. And this happens at a consistent rate.

Being a Marketer and an Author (not yet bestselling), I think this is important and also helping me stay grounded.

One of my earlier failure was when I was trying to land a publishing deal for my first book in 2008.

I reached out to every known and unknown publisher with a query letter hoping that he would be interested in reading a Manuscript by a 20 something guy.

The waiting period for getting a response ranged from 3 months to sometimes eternity. 

The last time I checked my first book was rejected at least 38 times. 

Recently, while going through my old emails, I got one of those rejection letters and I instinctively checked what was my email to them.

Few things that leaped out to me after going through my own writing after a gap of 9 years and they also indicate that why I got so many rejections

1. The query letter was very raw, filled with silly mistakes - in other words it looked unpolished and a non-serious approach to writing 

2. The one page synopsis did not elicit any interest to take up the manuscript for further reading - Again a very halfhearted attempt from someone who claims to be super passionate about writing

3. It looked as if someone who spent many months in building a story has somehow forgot to work on the few key things that matter to the stakeholders, i.e., Synopsis and the Sample Chapters. 

What I learned just by looking through the glass can be summed up in few words - 

1. Your best mostly will not be best enough for decision makers so get out from you silos and look at how the world is changing.

2. Learn from the masters on how to do it right the first time. You will rarely get a second chance.

3. Find a Mentor very early in your journey - Today it could also be someone you met online or someone whose work you follow.

4. Lastly and most importantly - Keep Checking your old emails especially when you get a rejection note.

Agree with me?