After 54 Agents Said No: James King's First Novel, and 'Bill Warrington's Last Chance'

When, oh when is the publishing world going to stop looking only for the sure sell and start looking for LITERATURE from new writers?? Is it because they no longer know what good literature is??

Congratulations Mr King, I'm happy your book is finally being published and you are getting to realize your lifelong dream of being a novelist! Good for you for never giving up!

This was an amazing story. i loved it. I want to be an author and it shows that no matter what don't give up. keep trying.

I've accumlated my fair share of rejections. Now with the economy the way it is, getting in to a big publishing house has grown even more difficult. Funny, since I wouldn't have believed this possible. Decided my best course of action is to publish myself. Tired of hearing we like your voice, but... Self publishing will allow me creative freedoms I wouldn't have had the traditional way. A good quote: "Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. ~Newt Gingrich

Way to go, James! You did it!

lahilden

I'm sure glad to read this story. In 2001 I decided to go with my life long dream to be a writer to support my retirement, so I went a community college to learn the short story form of writing. After two self published books with good reviews and many unpublished stories I still can not get that breakthrough needed.

Thanks for this column, Melinda. And congratulations, James. Perseverance is indeed the key, in writing as anything else. I'm older than most of these commenters, but like Eloise said, the only difference is I don't have the stamina I once did. I've been writing and submitting about twenty years, had some stories published, self-published a memoir and book of mystery stories. But still trying for that gold ring of traditional publishing with my mystery novel. Write on!
Sylvia

I've had 44 novels published, with the 45th landing in October. And I still get books rejected, as often as not. James is a testament to the fact that this is no easy game (nor the road to riches) but one requiring perseverance, dedication, and the hardest thing of all, sticking your butt in the chair and your fingers on the keyboard. Bravo, James!

Congratulations James! I admire your perseverence through all those rejections. The book sounds interesting and I will definately buy it. By the way, I am 53 and after 20 years as a nurse with a 2 year college degree I have gone back for my Batchelor's. I will graduate in February. I think the Boomers are going to radically change what it means to be "old". Go us!!!

Congratulations James! And kudos to you and your mentor, Elizabeth Christman. I am not a writer per se, (my writing is limited to academe and the occasional comment on professional networks). However, I am an artist and have recently returned to teaching at the university level...at age 53, I am a junior faculty member -- a notch or two above the seniority and pay scale of a graduate teaching assistant.

You give a bloke like me the encouragement and fortitude to pursue the continuum of "the dream!" In the words of Thomas Moore (Care of the Soul, Soul Mates, and, etc.), "A culture that trivializes the arts as being mundane and views it with mediocrity, is a culture which has lost its soul."

I applaud your persistence my brother in the arts, and that of your late mentor and friend, Liz.

Russell R.

Although the book was rejected so many times, you didn't give up! The interesting thing is that your topic was way early for the publishers to take interest! Now with baby boomers reaching the older age and their parents becoming very elderly, the market is wide open.........for readers! God has his timing and this is the perfect one! Great for you!