Unpublishable!: Rejected Writers from Jane Austen to Zane Grey

by Elaine Borish

This book relates the inspiring stories of over thirty famous writers rejected by publishers at some point in their careers. Their accounts offer encouragement to anyone who thinks about writing for publication. A rebuffed manuscript that later goes on to achieve fame and success underscores the value of confidence and perseverance. Agatha Christie's first novel received some half dozen rejections and waited four years to emerge from the press. Charlotte Bronte's first novel never appeared in her lifetime. Uncle Tom's Cabin was deemed too controversial. Shaw was not interesting enough. Sherlock Holmes, first created in A Study in Scarlet, was unwanted. This book tells the fascinating stories of great authors who overcame the rejections of benighted publishers fortunately for English literature.

142 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1981

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Book is Unpublishable contains stories of 40 writers. These writers all have two things in common. All had their work originally rejected. All went on to become quite famous for their writing. From Louisa May Alcott who was told "to stick to your teaching; you can't write" to Agatha Christie who had to wait four years for her first book to be published to Zane Grey who after dozens of rejections eventually self published his first book.

This Book is Unpublishable is a must have book for every writer or want to be writer. There are always going to be those days when you get a rejection letter or just really start to wonder if you were meant to write. I suggest that on those days you read this book. I guarantee you'll feel differently about rejection and become even more inspired to reach your goals.