Three Things to Do When Your Publishing Path Hits a Dead End

A few weeks ago, my family celebrated my sister and brother-in-law’s 50th birthdays at Cedar Point, also known as America’s Roller Coast in Sandusky, Ohio. Famous for jaw-dropping, stomach-lurching roller coasters, Cedar Point draws visitors from around the world. I grew up at Cedar Point and we could spend two or three hours in line for the most popular rides. Guests gladly endure the wait for a three-minute thrill, considering the disproportionate wait time a small price for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After our parking lot tailgate birthday party, we entered the park. A group of us made a beeline for the roller coasters. At first, the line moved quickly. As we wound our way through the maze of metal switchback queues, we laughed and joked, our excitement and anticipation building.

But as we neared the final section before the platform, our forward motion stopped. A restless energy rippled through the line. Within minutes, park personnel appeared on the platform to assist a stranded car on the track. Uh oh.

Then came the announcement over the loudspeaker: the ride was shutting down for repairs. We had chosen that ride because it promised the exact experience we wanted. We’d been patient and upbeat the whole time. Now, our plans were dashed. Shoot.

That moment is a lot like the writing journey. You start with enthusiasm. You’re writing each day. Meeting writers. Maybe going to conferences. It looks like you’re making progress. Eventually, you realize publishing isn’t  as easy as you thought, so you coach yourself to be patient. You watch others hop on their publishing roller coaster while you keep inching forward. Then, after a promising pitch to an editor or a few Zoom calls with an agent, you feel you’re almost there. Woo-hoo!

Then, your path takes a sudden detour into a dead end.

You send your proposal to the editor but never hear back.

You learn your book isn’t a fit for the traditional publishing market.

An agent loves your project but turns you down because you don’t have a large enough platform.

It’s like standing in line for hours only to have the ride shut down right before you reach it.

What do you do? 

First, You Have Permission to Grieve
We don’t talk enough about acknowledging grief in a writer’s career. You can be sad about how long it’s taken—or about the almosts that never happened. This is often an ambiguous loss that lives in a very real but unseen place in your heart called, “What I wanted to be true.” I’ve developed a helpful process called an Emotional Funeral for both tangible and ambiguous losses—inside and outside of publishing. This three-step process validates your grief and helps you redirect your energy from what didn’t happen toward a hopeful future.

Second, Find a New Ride
Some writers hold onto a book idea even after multiple people say it won’t work or the market won’t support it. You don’t have to abandon the book of your heart—but don’t weld yourself into only that one project. Sometimes, the book that inspired your writing journey was meant to open the door, not be your final destination. Be open and curious about what else you could write.

Finally, Stay with Your Group
When our roller coaster shut down, we decided stuck together to find a new ride. As our group walked, we shared our disappointment. Before long, we were laughing again. If someone had left our group, they would have missed the camaraderie and renewed excitement of trying again. The same is true for writers. Disappointment tempts us to pack up our laptops and quit. But isolation will rob you of the encouragement and momentum you need for the next opportunity. Stay connected!

If your publishing journey has been a roller coaster ride and you’re looking for trusted voices to help, we’ve created something special for you.

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This will be a safe, encouraging space where you’ll be seen as an author—up close and personal:

• Your book ideas and dreams will be heard.

• Your questions about whether your book idea works will be answered.

• You’ll leave with a unique, agent-guided plan to propel you forward.

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