It seems everyday, a new aspiring author is popping up on the internet wanting to get published. They have written that career forging novel, slaved over it, ripped it apart and rebuilt on sleepless nights and stolen moments.

So now it’s time to get shown something for all their fruits of labor. So they seek an agent (if they are lucky enough to find one to take them on) and submit to a publisher…and get rejected. That’s okay, plenty more in the sea their agent tells them. So they submit again and are rejected. Then again Then again. It breaks their heart and their spirit. They just don’t know what more they can do to their work to make it ‘acceptable’. And so it goes until they finally put that manuscript down as a failure and their dreams wither and die a dusty-yellow death.

Pretty dramatic, huh? Hey! Who’s to say it couldn’t happen? But there is a way to help ease the wear and tear of the inevitable rejection letter to your psyche.

Get a writing mentor. Yup…you read right, get yourself a writing mentor.

There are mentors in all parts of the job world. You can find one for just about anything. Correct? Why I’ve even heard you can get a mentor if you want to be one of those ghost/paranormal hunters. So, why not for writing?

And no, I don’t mean a writing coach but an actual writing mentor. A writing coach to my mind is somewhat an extension of a teacher. Help with grammar, structure, etc is always needed, but that is someone a new writer would instinctly seek out anyway.

A writing mentor is different. A writing mentor is someone who has been there done that. Someone who has a strong working knowledge of the writing/publishing community. Someone you can email or text or call at any time of the day or night too agonize with over your writer’s block. Too bounce ideas off of. Who, because of their extensive knowledge and background can help keep your nose to the grindstone yet pointed in the right direction. And if they have contacts in the writing community…well, that certainly couldn’t hurt.

But this is not saying you should take advantage. Your writing mentor is not meant to be a crutch, someone to call and pass time with when your muse has left you or what have you. You should utilize your writing mentor in a way that benefits your career in the utmost possible way. If nothing else, your mentor’s proofreading and copywriting skills should put you as a new writer, far ahead of the fold. And what your writing mentor knows about agents (if they published in the brick-n-mortar publishing houses) could prove invaluable. They could even help you deal with the countless rejections you will not doubt receive as you continue to send out your manuscript. And while you wait for your big chance, they can either help you polish up the manuscript you have or have your back as you start your next novel. And who wouldn’t want that?

So new writers, before you find yourself all flustered and at your wits end because your novel (your novel…not you, dear writer) has been turned down for the 50th time. Before you even start sending it out, maybe you should have your support system intact. It just may help you keep your sanity in the long run.

Nina Hobson is an owner of Hellicious Horrors™ Epublishing. The epublishing company devoted solely to horror ebooks starring straight, bi, gay, lesbian and transgender preteens – young adults. A supporting member of the Horror Writer\’s Association and a member of IBPA. http://www.hellicioushorrors.com

Nina Hobson is an owner of Hellicious Horrors™ Epublishing. The epublishing company devoted solely to horror ebooks starring straight, bi, gay, lesbian and transgender preteens – young adults. A supporting member of the Horror Writer\’s Association and a member of IBPA. http://www.hellicioushorrors.com

Author Bio: Nina Hobson is an owner of Hellicious Horrors™ Epublishing. The epublishing company devoted solely to horror ebooks starring straight, bi, gay, lesbian and transgender preteens – young adults. A supporting member of the Horror Writer\’s Association and a member of IBPA. http://www.hellicioushorrors.com

Category: Opinions
Keywords: new writers, mentors, rejection, aspiring author, support, career guidance, publishing