The Independent recently ran an article that should cheer up writers who have collected a rejection slip or three or ten (I can relate--for some reason, publishers are not lining up to bid on my novel--surely some mistake!).
The article mentions two writers who self-published: G. P. Taylor ("Shadowmancer") who now gets six-figure advances, and Jill Paton Walsh ("Knowledge of Angels") who was short-listed for the Booker Prize.
It also notes that some authors started with small publishers before hitting the big time. These include Richard Adams ("Watership Down") and John Grisham ("A Time to Kill"). The latter was turned down by 16 agents and a dozen publishers.
There's hope for us yet!
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