Trying to get published is an interesting endeavor (translation: horribly upsetting). I never really got depressed about the whole rejection thing, but I know a lot of people do. And I can’t blame them…it’s a long, hard road with a lot of unintentionally hurtful people. While I didn’t get the rejection blues, I did get angry. I spent two years trying to do the traditional publication/agent route. I have more rejections than I can count (I’ve got an entire folder dedicated to them). The vast majority of rejections were generic copy/pasted responses from people who didn’t even look at what I had submitted. Mixed into that were slightly more personalized responses ranging from flat out hurtful to, my personal favorite, “it’s inappropriate to have illustrations in an adult novel.” It doesn’t help matters that the industry no longer allows you to submit a manuscript; everything is done online and you’re allowed to submit very little (usually between 5-10 pages). Sometimes you aren’t even allowed to submit a synopsis.
I knew going into this that the traditional route was probably not going to work for me. The industry is extremely close-minded to new authors and especially to something unique like my series with its myriad illustrations, but I figured I might as well give it a shot. After two years of rejections from people who didn’t give what I submitted the time of day, I decided to go the self-publishing route. The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a 2 page long email from an editor…after reading FIVE pages, she absolutely tore Exordium apart (she spent more time writing the email than she did reading the scant few pages she asked me to send). I still have that email printed out and hanging on my wall. Any time I start to feel overwhelmed, I read it and get mad all over again. It reminds me why I decided to do things my way and go a different direction.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that the industry treats everyone like that. It’s incredibly frustrating, but you can’t take it personally. You have to just push through and figure out what you can do to overcome the challenge. If you sink into the mental mire, you risk giving up on your goal. You have to think outside the box and figure out what’s going to work for you. Don’t let them get to you. Most authors, including a lot of famous ones, went through the same struggle. Know you aren’t alone and just keep pushing forward.
More about L. Bossi’s fully illustrated novels
The Enpirion Project is a trilogy of fully illustrated, LGBT+ fantasy novels. The first two books, Exordium and Nadir, are available for purchase. The third book is currently in the long, arduous illustration phase (it’s fully written). The books follow Enpirion/Piri, a young (by the age standards of his race) Seri soldier as he deals with everything from daily life, something that in and of itself is incredibly difficult for him, as well as the overarching, somewhat supernatural, plot-line that encompasses their entire world. The books handle everything from a m/m romance and trust issues to anxiety/depression, self-confidence and being an extreme introvert trying to deal with interpersonal relationships, just to name a few things.
Each book contains 3 full paintings and over 200 illustrations, bringing the world of The Enpirion Project to life in a new way not generally seen in standard novels.
Purchase The Enpirion Project Books 1 & 2 on Amazon
The Enpirion Project: Exordium (Book 1) – https://amzn.to/3on5WZ1
The Enpirion Project: Nadir (Book 2) – https://amzn.to/3MngxuX
Official Website: www.piriproject.com
Email: enpirionproject@gmail.com
Facebook: /piriproject
Instagram: @piriproject
