Dear Merope,

I am so sorry you are having these experiences. Having some experience in the publishing world before now I have learned many things. I have seen work that is not accepted based on things having absolutely nothing to do with the works themselves. And it was not a rare phenomenon. I have seen manuscripts rejected that were sometimes not read at all or only skimmed. I saw so much of this that I don't believe anyone ought to take it personally when a manuscript is not accepted for publication. There were good and great books that were rejected by publishers.

Books are becoming more and more expensive and publishers are often afraid of risk and turn down many things which they believe would not make them enough money to be worth it for them. Economics drives a lot of decision making. I am sure you have heard stories in the world art and painting where good and even great works of art could not be sold during the lifetime of the painters and yet now sell for millions of dollars. The same is true in the world of books. Quality is not also a qualification for publication. There are fads in what is popular in reading and there have been books written that were sort of silly really. There is an element of luck and fickleness in the publishing business so I would hope that you would be able to, if possible, rise above the disappointment and self-criticism you are experiencing.

Writing itself can be a pleasure and joy even when it is not published. Book publishing is not an exact science. There is probably an audience out there for what you write, an audience that is looking for what you write, but publishers and editors are the gate keepers and decide what gets printed. Every writer can say to himself or herself: I could be better at this. And that is true. But it is also true that every writer can say to himself or herself: I could be worse than I am at this, but I am not worse.

I wish I knew what to say to be helpful but sadly I don't. Hopefully many members here will have good words for you and you will be able to find at least some to be helpful to you. I think it is great that you write. I hope you will continue to write and not be discouraged. So sorry if I could not be helpful to you. I wish you only the very best!

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen