So my book came out in November and it’s been gaining some traction and I’ve heard some great stories of how it has been impacting people. One unexpected thing that happened is that a major publisher took interest in the possibility of a book deal. Well, needless to say I was stoked! The process got pretty far, made it through acquisitions, had a conference call… right up to the final decision. Well just as quickly as this opportunity dropped in my lap, it fell out of my lap.
I just heard back that they have passed on my book. Bummer. So the rejection sets in and I start to process through how to deal with it. It’s mostly positive.
Every rejection is incremental payment on your dues that in some way will be translated back into your work. -James Lee Burk
It’s not really the thing I want to hear but it is what it is and I know there is a better opportunity.
The funny thing I just had to make known was the reason they passed. They said, they “didn’t feel a book on restoration from sin would sell well. There is a need, but not a demand.”
This sounds reasonable at first because they are in the business of book-selling. As I think about it though it hit me… isn’t the bible all about restoration from sin? And isn’t the bible the best-selling book on the planet? Please hear me, I’m not pretentious enough to think my book has anything on the bible, that’s a no-brainer and not where I’m going with this. I think I’m aiming at the fact of just being completely honest. If you are going to fully reject somebody, at least do it honestly. Maybe the reason is, “Ashley you aren’t a christian celebrity so this book won’t sell” or “You weren’t big enough to fall hard enough, so nobody will even know you got up.” Those are some hardcore things to say but at least they’re honest. That I can deal with but please… if you are going to give a reason… make it a good one. (the rant is over, thanks for reading and please keep going, it’s gets better)
Now on to rejection. Rejection is a powerful tool. It can reveal our heart and the wretchedness of sin that can still be lurking somewhere in our soul. It can provide the pressure we need in our life to show us how mature we really are. It can put life in perspective and show us where our values really are. It can push us on towards better opportunities. And for me, it showed me that I was trusting in a publisher more than I was in God. God allows rejection in our lives to deepen our trust in Him. For me this is how I’ve been looking at this situation.
The fact is I wasn’t really after a book deal in the first place… so eh, whatevs.
If you are feeling rejected, realize you are in good company. David. Joseph. Paul. And most of all, Jesus.
Luke 6:64-66
64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
Jesus was rejected by his own disciples, so we have to understand if it happened to the Son of God, it will happen to us. It’s part of life and we can grow from it… if we will.
