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Many of the world's most beloved literary masterpieces, including Gone with the Wind and Harry Potter, faced repeated rejections before finally being recognized as publishable works. This article delves into the journeys of J.K. Rowling and other iconic authors who overcame countless obstacles to share their stories. Their experiences serve as powerful reminders of the value of persistence in achieving one's dreams. Beyond the pages of these books lies a universal lesson for everyone.
10. Diary of Anne Frank
Following their arrest by the Gestapo in 1944, Anne Frank and her family were deported to a concentration camp. Otto Frank, Anne's father, was the sole survivor. Upon receiving his daughter's diary, he made the decision to publish it.
This poignant true account sheds light on the hardships endured by Jews during the Nazi era. Despite Anne's tragic death at just 15 years old, her diary stands as a testament to hope and resilience amidst unimaginable suffering. Otto Frank once remarked:
“The Anne I encountered in her diary was vastly different from the daughter I had known. I was unaware of the profound depth of her thoughts and emotions.”
Initially rejected 16 times, many believed the world wasn't prepared to revisit the horrors of World War II. Since its first publication in 1947, over 30 million copies have been sold, making it one of the most widely-read accounts of Holocaust experiences. Surprisingly, the book was also banned for being deemed too somber. Learn more about such bans in 10 Books That Were Banned For All The Wrong Reasons.
9. The Time Traveler’s Wife
Audrey Niffenegger, an American author and visual artist, debuted with The Time Traveler’s Wife, a novel about a man with the ability to time travel and his wife, who cannot. The story explores their attempts to lead a normal life, including building a family and maintaining careers, while navigating the unique challenges posed by his condition.
Rejected by more than 20 publishers, the book was eventually picked up by a small San Francisco-based publisher who adored the story. Published in 2003, it became an international sensation, winning the Exclusive Books Boeke Prize and a British Book Award. It was adapted into a film in 2009. For more intriguing tales of time travel, check out 10 People Who Claimed To Be Time Travelers.
8. DUNE
Authored by Frank Herbert and first published in 1965, DUNE is now regarded as one of the greatest science-fiction novels of all time. However, it faced over 20 rejections before publication. The story unfolds on Arrakis, a fictional desert planet, set in a far-off future.
In 1966, the novel earned the Nebula Award for Best Novel, a prestigious honor decided by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. The DUNE series has since expanded to six novels. The 1984 film adaptation, directed by David Lynch, was widely criticized, but a new version helmed by Denis Villeneuve (known for Arrival and Blade Runner 2049) is set for release in 2020 or 2021, delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The remake boasts a star-studded cast, including Timothée Chalamet. Notably, DUNE also features in our Top 15 Science Fiction Book Series.
7. Watership Down
Richard George Adams, born in 1926, spent his childhood in Berkshire, England, where he could see the actual Watership Down, a hill bordering Hampshire. A haunting memory from his youth involves a local man pushing a handcart filled with dead rabbits—an eerie image that stayed with him.
One day, when his children asked for a story, he invented a tale about a group of rabbits fleeing a warren in danger. After sharing the story, he felt compelled to write it down.
Adams spent over two years writing the book but struggled to find a publisher. Many rejected it, claiming it was too lengthy and that the rabbits didn’t match the cute, cuddly image people expected. Finally, Rex Collings reluctantly published it in 1972. It has since become a beloved children’s classic and was adapted into an animated film in 1978. The film is famously emotional—if it doesn’t move you, you might just be a monster! For more on audience reactions, check out our incredible list by JFrater: Top 10 Amazing Audience Reactions.
6. Chicken Soup for the Soul
First published in 1993, Chicken Soup for the Soul launched a vast series, including titles like Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles and Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game. The founders, motivational speakers Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, filled the book with uplifting stories inspired by people they had encountered.
The book faced an astonishing 144 rejections. After every major New York publisher declined, Peter Vesgo, owner of HCI, a small Florida-based health and wellness publisher, took a chance. He was captivated by the motivational tales and agreed to publish it. The first book sold over 11 million copies, and the series has since grown to include 250 titles. While on the topic of chicken, learn how to roast one perfectly (and other basics) in Top 10 Basic Cooking Tricks.
5. Carrie
Stephen King, a renowned horror novelist and short story writer, has sold more than 350 million books. His debut novel, Carrie, follows the life of a teenage girl who faces relentless bullying at school and struggles with her overbearing, religiously fanatic mother. At the school prom, she unleashes her telekinetic abilities to exact revenge.
Before its publication in 1974 by Doubleday, Carrie was rejected 30 times. One rejection letter stated, “We are not interested in science fiction that focuses on negative utopias. They do not sell.”
King used these rejection letters as motivation, keeping them in his bedroom. The book eventually became a massive success, allowing King to quit his job as an English teacher and pursue writing full-time. In 1976, Carrie was adapted into a film, earning two Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. A 2013 remake was less successful (apologies to Julianne Moore—we still adore you!). For fans of horror seeking quarantine reads, explore Top 10 Modern Horror Novels More Terrifying Than A Stephen King Book.
4. Catch-22
Released in 1961, Catch-22 is a timeless classic by American author Joseph Heller. Set in World War II, it follows Captain John Yossarian, an American bombardier stationed on a Mediterranean island, as he battles to survive. Heller drew from his own experiences as a bombardier during the war.
The title Catch-22 is rumored to have been chosen because it was accepted by its 22nd publisher, Simon and Schuster. One rejection note read: “I have no clue what the author is attempting to convey . . . It seems he aims for humor or satire, but it falls flat on any intellectual level.”
The novel continues to polarize readers, with some praising it as “the best novel in years” (from discerning critics) and others dismissing it as “chaotic, incoherent, and vulgar” (from morans). Despite this, it has sold over 10 million copies.
In 2019, Hulu produced a surprisingly well-received TV series adaptation. I highly recommend it. Even if you don’t plan to watch, the trailer is worth viewing—one commenter noted: “A trailer that explains the premise, introduces the characters, captures the tone, and avoids spoilers. Who’s the genius behind this?” We at Mytour agree.
For those curious about the origin of the title, you can explore this and more in 10 Extraordinary Origins Of Well-Known Numbers.
3. Gone With the Wind
Authored by Margaret Mitchell, an American writer and former reporter for the Atlanta Journal, Gone With the Wind was penned after she left her job in 1926 due to health issues. Living in a modest one-bedroom apartment with her husband, she received a typewriter as a gift to combat boredom.
Mitchell’s sole novel chronicles the life of an Atlanta socialite, spanning the antebellum South, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction era. Drawing inspiration from family tales and conversations with Confederate veterans from her childhood, the book faced 38 rejections before its 1936 publication. In 1937, Mitchell was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and the novel has since sold millions worldwide. While the book is exceptional, the film adaptation is even better—so much so that it’s featured on Top 10 Movies That Are Better Than The Books!
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
J.K. Rowling’s journey to publishing her debut novel is widely known. The story follows a young orphaned boy sent to live with his aunt and uncle at 15 months old. At 11, he discovers Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the same institution his parents attended, and embarks on a magical adventure.
After being rejected by 12 publishers, the book was finally accepted by Bloomsbury in 1997. The Harry Potter series now comprises seven books and stands as one of the best-selling series in history. Rowling, once a struggling single mother, transformed into one of Britain’s wealthiest women following the book’s success.
J.K. Rowling once remarked, “Failure is inevitable unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all.”
We believe her words hold true and that everyone could use a refresher on 10 Tips for Success in Everything.
1. Lord of the Flies
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies was initially dismissed by Faber and Faber as “rubbish and dull. Pointless.” Born in 1911, Golding faced over 20 rejections before the novel was published in 1954. The story follows a group of boys stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash, who descend into savagery to survive.
A young editor named Charles Monteith convinced Faber and Faber to publish the novel, expressing that he found it increasingly captivating as he read further. Despite necessary editorial revisions, including the removal of an entire opening section, the book has since become a literary classic. In 2005, Time magazine listed it among the 100 greatest English-language novels published since 1923.
The full 1990s film adaptation of the book is available above. Additionally, while it may disappoint some, William Golding had a controversial personal life. For more details, explore 10 Authors You Read In School Who Were Secretly Terrible People.
