I finally sold this year, after many, many, many years of writing and querying and getting rejected. When that magical moment came, I was thrilled. I’d finally achieved my dream. I’d made it. My work was good enough, I was smart enough, and doggone it, people liked me. And I wouldn’t get rejected anymore. 

Boy, was I wrong. 

I went on a day trip this week to do some shopping and take in the sights over in Asheville, N.C. (A lovely, bohemian town, for anyone who’s thinking about visitng.) While I was there, I went into a few bookstores to give them my business card, ask about signings, chat up the locals, you know the drill.

One guy was very friendly. Asked me how long I’d been writing, etc., etc., etc.

But the other woman I talked with not friendly at all. She looked at my card for maybe half a second before saying that she’d need to see a copy of my book to determine if it was right for the store. That was it. End of discussion. We talked for less than a minute.

She runs a bookstore. I write books. Seems like a natural fit to me. But apparently not.

But her cool reception reminded me of all those rejections I use to get. The ones that are form letters or where your name and book are so badly misspelled that you wonder if the agent even bothered to read it.

Her rejection depressed me. At least, until I went to this fabulous little chocolate shop. It’s amazing what truffles can do to restore you. 😉

A couple of pounds of chocolate later, I’ve decided not to let it bother me. It’s just another part of the author game. I’ve gotten hundreds of rejections. What are a couple hundred more?

What about you? Have you ever been rejected by a bookseller? How do you cope with it? Inquiring minds want to know …