Katie's Writing Notes

I love books written by experienced editors about their specialty, written for writers in that specialty.  These books are usually well written and organized, and always include a wealth of practical information.

Mike Nappa’s 77 REASONS WHY YOUR BOOK WAS REJECTED {and how to make sure it won’t happen again!} is such a book, an excellent resource for both nonfiction and fiction writers wanting to become and stay published by royalty (traditional) publishers. This one book contains truths and wisdom that many of us writers take years to gather and realize on our own.

In addition to having held a variety of jobs within the publishing industry that contributed to his broad range of knowledge, Mike Nappa is also a professional writer (evidenced by this book), suffering the rejections and enjoying the successes of being traditionally published.  He relates experiences from both sides of this business, the writing and the publishing of his work.

At my first reading, I thought most of the reasons applied mostly to nonfiction writers, with his constant references to proposals (of which I’ve written several, all for nonfiction projects).  However, with a detailed analysis to track the number of the reasons actually applicable to fiction writers, I realized that most could, with a sideways look, also apply to them.  Fiction writers do, after all, work with agents and editors who fight with their spouses, kick their dogs, and then reject perfectly good manuscripts. So, regardless of your primary writing focus, read the entire book and use the information as it best fits your situation.

This book is packed with practical, positive information, as well as sometimes difficult-to-read truths. If you want to join the bulging ranks of hopeful authors, armed with warnings (the reasons for rejection) and action steps to overcome these reasons, then use the book’s advice on your submission package.

He does touch upon self-publishing (often negatively), so if that is your chosen publishing route, don’t bother with this book.  It would just annoy you to tears.

Each chapter contains one reason for rejection with an explanation.  The chapter also includes three action steps to counteract or at least address that reason.  Some of his action steps cheat and refer the reader back to previous reasons, while most offer truly helpful suggestions for action.  And some, usually included in those discouraging chapters, simply say, “Hey, that’s reality.  Live with it or get out of the business.”  Not really an action step, but it is honest.

I must admit that several times I did become so discouraged that I put the book down because the reasons block the writer in ways that the writer cannot combat or control.  But then some of the action steps helped relieve that discouragement, at least a little.

When I grew too discouraged, I’d put the book down and focus on something else, or just plow through, being stubborn about not quitting.  Then I’d come across a reason that was written for me with action steps I thought that I might actually be able to implement, so my discouragement faded, until the next time.

Nappa does address this discouragement problem in his last chapter, as an epilogue.  He acknowledges the book’s tendency to discourage and then offers his explanation: “You see, if I can talk you out of pursuing a writing career, then you don’t belong in publishing, so it’s good that you quit now” (pg. 352).  Actually, I agree with this explanation.  Writing is a tough job and only the really passionate people who MUST write should actually pursue this “dirty little business” (pg. 352), as Nappa calls it.

If you can’t NOT write (double negative intended) … if NOT writing drives you crazy … then you have to write.  But if you have other life options just as fulfilling, pursue those and forget writing as a career.  It’ll be a part time effort for many years anyway, if not forever, so you might as well find something else to fill your time, one that will actually provide an income and personal satisfaction.

Nappa’s book also offers references within the chapters and an appendix of materials useful in pursuing the craft and in keeping up with the publishing business.  The one problem that I found (understandable in this age of e-readers) is that it does not include an index, which would be helpful for jumping to the right reason at the moment.

I highly recommend Mike Nappa’s 77 REASONS WHY YOUR BOOK WAS REJECTED {and how to make sure it won’t happen again!} and hope it provides you with the information you need to decide your fate as a writer.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book, unsolicited.  Having found the book useful to writers, I produced this review. However, if the book had been crap, I wouldn’t have written a review of it.  My opinions are honest and straightforward and not based on receiving free copies of books.

Part of this review was published on Amazon.com’s review section of Nappa’s book on 9/6/11.