Expand Your Horizons
Rejection from a traditional publishing company can feel like a closed door, but in reality, it may be a window opening to new opportunities you hadn’t considered. The publishing world is no longer confined to the traditional route of big publishing houses. With the rise of self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and smaller indie presses, there are now more ways than ever to bring your story to readers. By expanding your horizons and embracing alternative paths, you can take charge of your writing career and potentially discover a route better suited to your goals and vision.
The Rise of Self-Publishing
Self-publishing has revolutionized the publishing industry, offering authors complete creative control over their work. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital allow writers to bypass gatekeepers and deliver their stories directly to readers. Self-publishing means you control everything, from the cover design to the marketing strategy, and retain a greater share of the royalties compared to traditional publishing.
However, self-publishing is not without its challenges. Success in this route requires a willingness to wear multiple hats—author, editor, designer, and marketer. You’ll need to invest time (and potentially money) into professional editing, formatting, and cover design to ensure your book stands out in a competitive market. But the rewards can be tremendous, particularly for writers who want to maintain full ownership of their work and connect directly with their audience.
The Hybrid Publishing Option
For authors seeking a middle ground between traditional and self-publishing, hybrid publishing offers an attractive alternative. Hybrid publishers typically operate on a shared-cost model: the author contributes to the publishing costs in exchange for professional editing, design, and marketing support. Unlike vanity presses, reputable hybrid publishers are selective about the projects they take on, ensuring a certain level of quality and credibility.
The hybrid model allows authors to benefit from professional publishing expertise while retaining more control and a higher percentage of royalties than they would with traditional publishing. It’s an excellent option for writers who have the budget to invest in their work and want a collaborative publishing experience without losing creative control.
Exploring Indie Presses
Smaller, independent publishing houses are often overlooked in favor of the larger, more recognizable names, but they can be a perfect fit for many authors. Indie presses are often more willing to take risks on unconventional stories or niche genres, making them an ideal choice for writers whose work doesn’t fit neatly into the mainstream market.
What’s more, working with an indie press often means a closer, more personalized relationship with your publisher. You may have greater input in decisions like cover design, marketing strategies, and editorial direction. While indie presses may not have the same level of resources or distribution power as larger houses, they often make up for it with passion, creativity, and a genuine commitment to their authors.
Diversifying Your Writing Opportunities
Expanding your horizons doesn’t have to mean sticking solely to book publishing. Rejection can also be a catalyst for exploring other avenues for your writing. Consider submitting short stories, essays, or poems to literary journals and magazines. Not only can this help you build your writing portfolio, but it can also introduce your work to a broader audience and establish your credibility in the literary world.
Similarly, platforms like Wattpad, Medium, or Substack offer opportunities to share your writing and grow a loyal readership over time. Some authors have even landed book deals or film adaptations after building a substantial following on these platforms. Think of these avenues as stepping stones that can lead to larger opportunities.
Learning to Pivot
Expanding your horizons is as much about mindset as it is about action. Rejection from one path doesn’t mean failure—it’s an opportunity to pivot and discover a route that aligns more closely with your goals and strengths. Ask yourself:
Would I enjoy the creative freedom of self-publishing?
Do I value collaboration and support from a hybrid or indie publisher?
Am I willing to experiment with writing in different formats or genres?
Being open to change and willing to explore new possibilities can lead to unexpected successes. Some of the most celebrated authors started in unconventional ways, proving that there is no single “right” path to publishing.
Building an Author Brand Across Platforms
Regardless of which publishing route you choose, expanding your horizons also means building your presence as an author. Social media, blogs, and newsletters allow you to connect directly with readers, creating a platform that publishers and agents will take notice of. A strong personal brand can be the foundation for a successful writing career, no matter which publishing path you follow.
Investing time in growing your online presence not only helps you reach potential readers but also establishes your authority in your genre. This proactive approach can open doors to opportunities you might not have considered, such as collaborations, speaking engagements, or even adaptation deals.
Turning Rejection into Redirection
Rejection isn’t the end of your story—it’s a chance to reimagine how your story reaches the world. By exploring alternative publishing methods, connecting with indie presses, or experimenting with new formats, you can transform a setback into a step forward. Expanding your horizons isn’t about settling for less; it’s about finding the path that fits your unique goals and vision. In doing so, you might discover that the door you thought was closed wasn’t the only way forward—it was just one of many.