J.K. Rowling, writer of the best-selling Harry Potter book series, faced rejection from so-called experts.
Twelve publishers rejected Rowling’s first Harry Potter manuscript. Twelve “experts” rejected who was to become the world’s first billionaire author. There was no money to be made from children’s books, one fantastically wrong publisher said.
Sometimes experts really suck at being experts.
The thirteenth firm got it right. London’s Bloomsbury publishing house green-lighted Rowling’s book. But even Bloomsbury didn’t realize they just made the best publishing decision in history. They gave her a minimal advance and only approved an initial printing of 1,000 books.
Bloomsbury had no idea what was to follow.
Since that momentous decision, Harry Potter has become a global brand worth over $15 billion. The first book alone sold more than 11 million copies.
Had J.K. Rowling stopped after the twelfth rejection letter, this magnificent story would have ended before it started.
What kind of rejection are you facing? Rejection letters from potential employers? Silence from recruiters? A boss who routinely rejects your innovative ideas? Being passed-over for a promotion?
Even the best talent gets rejected. If this is happening to you, you are in good company. Don’t let rejection stop you. Reject rejection.
