The Resilient Writer: Tales of Rejection and Triumph by 23 Top Authors [Paperback]

Catherine Wald (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0892553073 | ISBN-13: 978-0892553075

Every author, from unpublished to bestselling, experiences rejection--from agents, editors, publishers, critics, even loved ones. It comes with the turf. But rejection can stop a writer dead in his tracks unless he learns how to persevere. In these conversations, twenty successful authors recount their personal struggles, offer strategies for coping, and inspire us with their stories of ultimate triumph. Arthur Golden rewrote eight hundred pages and went from an agent's thumbs-down to the bestseller list. Wally Lamb almost came undone when The New Yorker sent him a scathing rejection letter. Amy Tan stopped reading her reviews. Other writers included are Chris Bohjalian, Frederick Busch, Bret Easton Ellis, Janet Fitch, E. Lynn Harris, Kathryn Harrison, Oscar Hijuelos, Betsy Lerner, Elinor Lipman, Brett Lott, M. J. Rose, Esmeralda Santiago, Bob Shacochis, Tony Schwartz, Gail Tsukiyama, and Edmund White. Dramatic, surprising, funny, practical, and wise, this is a must-read for bibliophiles and scriveners alike.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Novice as well as experienced writers will appreciate this book for the wisdom and courageous insights it offers. -- Gail Hochman, Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents

These 23 familiar names do make a good collective case for perseverance. -- Washington Post Book World, Jennifer Howard, 22 May 2005

Unusually frank, often startling and illuminating interviews. -- Joyce Carol Oates

[A]terrific new book....inspiring...truly motivates. -- Erika Dreifus, The Practicing Writer, 1 May 2005

About the Author

Catherine Wald has published articles in many magazines, including Poets & Writers, Reader's Digest, Writers Digest, Newsday, the Baltimore Sun, and the Chicago Tribune. Her popular web site Rejectioncollection.com has been cited by Writer's Digest as a "Top Web Site for Writers." She lives in Westchester County, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Persea Books (May 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892553073
• ISBN-13: 978-0892553075
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,569,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best collection of writer friends you'll never meet, April 29, 2009

By 

yogababy (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Resilient Writer: Tales of Rejection and Triumph by 23 Top Authors (Paperback)

I'm a free-books-from-the-library kind of girl; I want to know I love a book before I add it to my shelf. But after hearing this author at a reading, my sister and I immediately bought one copy, splitting the cost -- I think we only had a few bucks on us at the time. And after a few months of discovering something new and wonderful every time I borrowed it, I bought my own copy. It was worth every penny. Having this book around is like having a funny, wry, encouraging set of writer friends willing to share stunningly honest stories of letdown and success. I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encouragement for Every Writer, May 6, 2006

By 

W. Terry Whalin "Publisher/ Editor / Writer" (Scottsdale, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Resilient Writer: Tales of Rejection and Triumph by 23 Top Authors (Paperback)

Perseverance and persistence are two characteristics of every successful writer. Most of us are rejected many times as we learn about writing and the publishing business. The Resilient Writer is encouragement for every writer.

When you read about the experiences of bestselling authors like Amy Tan or Arthur Golden, you begin to understand what it will take for you to be published and have your dreams come true. It takes more than crafting an excellent story (which is always a key) but it will involve other types of learning. You can begin to understand these experiences as you read what Catherine Wald has put together in this excellent book, The Resilient Writer.

It's the perfect gift for yourself (if you write) or a friend or family member. The chapters are short, enlightening and highly readable. You can either read straight through the book from cover to cover. Or pick it up when you need a dose of encouragement-and from my perspective, every writer needs plenty of encouragement.

4.0 out of 5 stars Reassuring and Illuminating, February 16, 2009

By 

Valerie Lynn - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Resilient Writer: Tales of Rejection and Triumph by 23 Top Authors (Paperback)

I believe in resilience as a way to frame most of life's rough spots, so I was attracted to the title of this collection. Gathering multiple interviews about publishing rejection into one book sounds like a depressing task, but surprisingly, the questions asked by Ms. Wald produced an interesting and inspiring book.

I will admit that the strict focus on "rejection" was sometimes so rigid that it kept the interviewer from letting the interviewee explore richer ideas. Most authors spoke with candor about a side of publishing that is not typically covered by MFA programs and magazine articles. Small details pop up in conversations between professionals who are comfortable in each others' company and this author captured them on the page for working writers and aspiring writers who have neither the access nor level of comradery with these authors.

The interview with Brett Lott, a teacher of writing as well as a successful author was my favorite. He told Ms. Wald that he saw writing as communication, and writing skills were worth perfecting if you wanted to send your most clear message out into the world. Every writer who finds it discouraging to negotiate rejection in their quest to be published or otherwise win recognition will want to go through this collection. It is filled with scenarios few readers are likely to have read about and offers grounded advice for all readers who love to write or have to write!