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For many, rejection is a roadblock—a sign to give up—but for some iconic writers, it was a redirection to their pass to success. From countless turned-down manuscripts to harsh critiques from publishers, these writers became accustomed to the word "no" before their works became classics. Their persistence not only reshaped the literary world but also serves as a reminder that failure is not the end. It's all part of the journey.
If you'd like to feel inspired or are just curious to know which writers were repeatedly rejected before they were published, then don't hesitate to click through this gallery.
William Golding, author of 'Lord of the Flies,' faced multiple rejections before his novel was published in 1954. One publisher called it "an absurd and uninteresting fantasy." Despite this, Golding persisted, and his book became a classic, eventually earning him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983.
James Joyce, renowned for 'Ulysses' and 'Dubliners,' faced relentless rejection. 'Dubliners' was rejected 22 times due to its controversial content. Joyce's persistence paid off, and he became one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, shaping modernist literature.
James Baldwin, the critically acclaimed author of 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' and 'Giovanni's Room,' faced multiple rejections in his career. One publisher even called 'Giovanni's Room' "hopelessly bad." Despite this, Baldwin became one of the most powerful voices in American literature.
Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the most important writers in the science-fiction genre. An editor called her novel 'The Left Hand of Darkness' "endlessly bad," but it went on to become a groundbreaking work, earning her both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.
Pearl S. Buck is best known for 'The Good Earth,' the best-selling novel that earned her the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. Her first novel 'East Wind: West Wind' received rejections from all but one publisher in New York.
Louisa May Alcott was an American author best known for her children's books, particularly the classic 'Little Women.' Publisher James T. Fields rejected Alcott's manuscript for 'How I Went Out to Service,' telling her, "Stick to your teaching; you can't write."
Agatha Christie, one of the best-selling authors of all time, faced numerous rejections early in her career. Her debut novel 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles,' was rejected by six publishers before it was finally accepted. Despite these setbacks, Christie went on to become the "Queen of Mystery."
Beatrix Potter, beloved author of 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit,' faced significant rejection in her early career. Publishers turned down her manuscript multiple times, dismissing it as unsuitable for children. Tired of the repeated rejections, Potter self-published in 1901, which launched her iconic career in children's literature.
William Faulkner, the celebrated author of novels like 'The Sound and the Fury' and 'As I Lay Dying,' faced numerous rejections in his early career. His novel 'Sanctuary' was called unpublishable, and many editors dismissed his work as overly complex. Faulkner went on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949.
Before reaching literary stardom with her 'Princess Diaries' series, Meg Cabot faced repeated rejections. In a 2007 interview, she revealed that she kept her rejection letters in a postal bag under her bed, which became so heavy that she struggled to lift it.
Despite being one of the most influential authors of the 20th century, Marcel Proust faced significant rejection throughout his career. After receiving three rejections for the first volume 'Swann's Way,' Proust took matters into his own hands and decided to pay for its publication himself.
Renowned for his complex narratives and philosophical themes, Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges faced numerous rejections, with one publisher calling his work "utterly untranslateable." Borges eventually became a celebrated figure in world literature and won the Miguel de Cervantes Prize in 1979.
D.H. Lawrence faced considerable rejection in his career. 'Women in Love,' completed in 1916, was rejected by several British publishers and was only published in the United States in 1920. Lawrence once wrote, "I will never be ashamed of my work," and his perseverance led to his recognition as a major literary figure.
Sylvia Plath, writer of 'The Bell Jar' and one of the most successful female writers of her generation, faced significant rejection throughout her career from literary magazines and publishers, with one even stating, “There certainly isn’t enough genuine talent for us to take notice.”
James Patterson, who has sold 425 million books worldwide, faced over 30 rejections for his first novel, 'The Thomas Berryman Number.' Despite being published at 26, he didn’t achieve his first bestseller until he was 40.
One of the most innovative poets of his time, E.E. Cummings dedicated his self-published poetry collection 'No Thanks' to the fourteen publishing houses that rejected it.
Writing on her blog, Judy Blume, author of 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret,' shared, "For two years, I faced nothing but rejections." She added that even now, she still winces when she sees one of the magazines that turned her down.
Rudyard Kipling, author of 'The Jungle Book,' was rejected by countless publishers. One even responded saying, "I’m sorry, but you just don’t know how to use the English language" and another claimed to see "no genuine talent" in his writing.
When JK Rowling initially sent the manuscript for the first 'Harry Potter' book to 12 publishing houses, she was rejected by all of them. Rowling's persistence paid off when a small publishing house decided to take a chance on her novel, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.'
Frank Herbert's 'Dune' has sold 20 million copies, translated into more than 20 languages, and turned into a highly acclaimed film and television adaptation. However, the novel was rejected 20 times before reaching print.
When writing his award-winning novel 'Carrie,' Stephen King initially gave up and threw the manuscript in the garbage. However, his wife salvaged it and encouraged him to finish it. Despite its eventual success, 'Carrie' was rejected by 30 publishers before Doubleday decided to take a chance on him.
'Watership Down' by Richard Adams was rejected seven times by various publishers before finally being published by Rex Collings in 1972. The book has since become a beloved classic and has won numerous awards.
Alex Haley was an American writer and journalist best known for his contributions to African American history and culture. He faced years of rejection, with editors dismissing hundreds of his manuscripts, before achieving success with 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X' and 'Roots: The Saga of an American Family.'
Octavia Butler faced numerous rejections throughout her career, with estimates suggesting that she submitted her work to over 50 publishers before achieving success. Butler is now a celebrated figure in science fiction, and her novel 'Kindred' received widespread critical acclaim.
Neil Gaiman, famed for his graphic novel series 'The Sandman' has mentioned receiving over 100 rejections for various short stories before achieving success with his first published works.
Author, essayist, and poet Annie Dillard gained prominence with her book 'Pilgrim at Tinker Creek,' which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1975. Dillard received many rejections for her short stories and essays before finding success but mentioned in interviews that her experiences with rejection, while challenging, shaped her as a writer.
Ray Bradbury, author of over 100 science fiction works, including the internationally acclaimed novel 'Fahrenheit 451,' is said to have received around 800 rejections before selling his first story. His determination is often cited as an inspiration for aspiring writers.
American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou rose to prominence with the publication of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." Angelou faced multiple rejections in her early writing career. Although the exact number isn't widely documented, she struggled to find a publisher willing to take on her work.
Ernest Hemingway's first novel 'The Sun Also Rises' was rejected by several publishers before it was finally accepted. Hemingway's determination and resilience ultimately led to him winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954.
Sources: (Online College) (Literary Hub) (LitRejections)
See also: Authors who appeared in movie adaptations of their books
Iconic writers who were repeatedly rejected
But they didn't take no for an answer
LIFESTYLE Authors
For many, rejection is a roadblock—a sign to give up—but for some iconic writers, it was a redirection to their pass to success. From countless turned-down manuscripts to harsh critiques from publishers, these writers became accustomed to the word "no" before their works became classics. Their persistence not only reshaped the literary world but also serves as a reminder that failure is not the end. It's all part of the journey.
If you'd like to feel inspired or are just curious to know which writers were repeatedly rejected before they were published, then don't hesitate to click through this gallery.