How do you get a GOOD book published?

How likely is it that a well-written novel will actually be published? Here are some interesting statistics...John Grisham’s first novel, A Time to Kill, was declined by 15 publishers and 30 agents (I’ll bet they’re all kicking themselves now). Dr. Seuss’s first book was rejected 24 times. Before he wrote Roots, Alex Haley received 200 rejections. The Good Earth by Pearl Buck was rejected 14 times before it was finally accepted and won a Pulitzer Prize. Louis L’Amour received 200 rejections before he sold his first novel; he then went on to sell over 200 million copies of 112 books. If you visit the House of Happy Walls, Jack London’s estate in Sonoma County, you will see some of his 600 rejection letters.

But here’s my favorite – 8 years after his novel Steps won the National Book Award, Jerzy Kozinski permitted a writer to change his name and the title of the book and send it in manuscript form to 13 agents and 14 publishers just to test the plight of new writers. They all rejected it, including Random House, who had published it originally.

So what’s the lesson to be learned by all this? One thing is certain, do not stop writing for fear of rejection. What if that had been the reaction of any of the great authors mentioned in the last paragraph? What I tell everyone who asks me about my own experience in having my novel The Litigators published (and yes, John Grisham used the same title for his latest book - titles are not protected by copyright laws) is that they need to write for themselves, not for others.

John Grisham: a fine writer

It was a joy to see a new novel by a well-known author with the same title as my own novel. It was a joy to read, and I hope John Grisham gets a chance to read my own book some day. So here's to John, a fine writer:

Grisham has once again done a masterful job of creating a most interesting and highly readable story in The Litigators. Above all Grisham is a great story teller, and he does not disappoint his readers in his latest offering. As usual he has cast a fanciful group of lawyers, though not the powerhouses we often see in Grisham's stories, but instead a pair of ne'er-do-wells who whimsically stumble their way through this wonderfully imaginative legal thriller.

I use the word "thriller" advisedly because the biggest thrill is watching these laughably slick legal shysters scheme their way into a massive legal black hole. In the end, however, this pathetic duo become almost lovable for their Quixotic march towards inevitable disaster in the courtroom at the hands of the typical legal giants who are called upon to defend major products liability cases like this one. I almost hoped that this unlikely pair somehow, in spite of themselves, might find a way to pull off a miracle victory for their equally unappealing clients, if only because such a result is so unexpected.  

You'll have to read the book to find out, but there are a few little twists at the end to keep the reader guessing.  I recommend The Litigators to anyone looking for a good, fun read.