A History Of Publication Hell

Anyone who has tried to land a literary agent and then see their work published will feel as if they have descended into a circle of hell reserved for those who dare to try something as difficult as writing.

Take heart, writers, and look to the saga of James Joyce and his quest to see his manuscript THE DUBLINERS published.

It was a long, frustrating period that ran for years, and had Mr. Joyce contemplating the wisdom of self-publishing. You've been there yourself, but at least you have far more options than one of Ireland's greatest literary lights.

He wrote during a time of turmoil in Ireland, an era that would see the Easter Rising of 1916 after the Dublin Lockout of 1913. Publishers were not willing to rock the boat too much, fearing censorship by the British government that ruled over the United Kingdom, while Joyce wanted to be honest in his work and present his world as he saw it.

From editors inserting their opinions and demanding changes to a publisher who was promoting the works of the Irish Revival, except where James Joyce was concerned, the author faced countless barriers. The lesson for you? He did not give up.

So read the article in THE IRISH TIMES and find inspiration. Don't give up. There are plenty of people in the industry who will reject you, but that doesn't mean you don't have the talent. It's a question of finding the industry insider who recognizes it. Like James Joyce, fighting against the rejection army arrayed before him but confident in the strength of his manuscript.