The Author’s Journey: Turning Rejection into Your Published Book
I’ve been exactly where you are—querying, questioning, and battling the doubt. Here’s the real, unvarnished story of how I went from hundreds of rejections to a 4-book publishing deal.
From leaving my first literary agent in 2021 with no book deal in sight to having two published books and three more on the way from Penguin Random House. This journey has been a wild ride of fresh starts and unexpected milestones.
It took me five years, six manuscripts, and over 400 rejections to sign with my literary agent and get a 4-book deal with Penguin Random House. Publishing is a marathon, and I believe in you. Keep going and keep writing.
Three years ago, I had no agent and no publisher, just the faith that it would happen someday. Now, I'm months away from my second novel's release with three more to come. This video shows the transformation from hundreds of rejections to unboxing my books.
They said, "You'll never become a published author." Now I have four romance novels to share with the world. This is a little look at how the tables have turned.
She doesn't know it yet, but she's writing the book that will kickstart her publishing career. This is me, years ago, working on the manuscript that would eventually reach readers across the US, UK, Canada, and India.
From scribbled notes in my 2020 journal to a published debut novel, "Match Me If You Can," available worldwide. It's surreal to see an idea transform into a real book that people are reading.
Another look at how it started versus how it's going. From an idea in a journal in 2020 to doing a live author event in 2024. The journey is long, but so worth it.
A lot can change in three years. In 2021, I was back in the query trenches after 400+ rejections. In 2024, I'm a published author with a 4-book deal. Hope and resilience are your most important tools.
Two years ago, being a published author with book signings and launch events was just an impossible dream. This is a reminder that life can change at any moment. Keep working towards your goals.
On my 26th birthday in 2022, I wondered what my 29-year-old self would tell me. Now, three days from 29, I can say: you have everything you wanted and more. It only gets better.
About The Author's Journey: From Rejection to Published
Publishing isn't a straight line. I’ve lived through over 400 rejections and came out the other side with a four-book deal from Penguin Random House. I don't just teach you the craft; I show you how to navigate the mental load of the query trenches and turn that chaotic first draft into a submission-ready manuscript.
So, how do we actually get you published? It starts with looking at your story honestly. Most writers get stuck because they’re too close to their draft to see the plot holes or the pacing issues that agents flag immediately.
In my 1:1 coaching sessions and mentorship, we aren’t just fixing typos. We’re working on structure, voice consistency, and that all-important 'hook' that keeps an agent reading past page one. If you’re not ready for 1:1 support, my self-editing course breaks down the exact framework I used to fix my own messy manuscripts.
Whether you’re writing contemporary romance, YA, or desi-inspired fiction, I bring the same brutal honesty and industry experience to your page. Let’s stop the guessing game and get your book out of your head and into the hands of readers.
Swati Hegde
I’m Swati, a Bangalore-based author who writes desi slowburn romance and YA. I’ve survived the brutal query trenches so you don’t have to struggle alone. Whether you need a fresh set of eyes on your manuscript or someone to help you beat the impostor syndrome, I'm here.
Looking for writing or publishing support?
Search for specific help with your manuscript or industry queries.
More from Fiction Writing Coaching by Swati Hegde