Why Did Their Story Work And Mine Didn't????

Book envy, right? I am sure all authors have it. You have this great idea for a book. You know you are going to write it. The idea might even be in note form on your desk and then darn it, some other author has gone out and written the book. Ugh.

Worse yet, you have submitted your book to numerous editors and have been turned down with that storyline only to find out that your book idea just comes out by that favorite author of yours. Even worse, right?

Now, of course the first thing that runs through your mind is that either Alexa and your smart device was listening in on your story idea, or that A.I. was copying your thoughts, or even worse, that NY Times Best Selling Author wouldn't have gotten their career without taking your idea which, you are certain they got after the editor you sent it to shared it with them, and said, "Hey, this is a great idea!" 

And then you realize that is a bit extreme.

There are actually a couple of reasons for this. I'm going to give you the hard pill to swallow first and then give you the one that will make you feel better last. OK, are you sitting? Here we go.

That other story, written by that other author was probably better written. OK, I know you can find a lot of flaws in it, but it had already been vetted by a lot of people. This author, probably was established and had the backing of others. Remember also, when you saw that book show up on the book shelf or on Amazon, it was written and started the editing process easily 12-24 months ago. If you are a new author, you might still be learning the process. And when I say new, it doesn't mean this is your first book you have written. I mean new to having a book traditionally published. As I always say, it takes. time. 

You got this. 

Now, here is the better side of the equation. That author may have just been in the right place at the right time. Publishing is really about timing. I hate to say it, but there are may book deals that just happen because that author happens to be sitting at a table with an editor at a conference, or an agent happens to be hanging out with an editor at some random event and a discussion breaks out in a casual conversation. It might even be a contest when your book just happens to land on the desk of the editor who happens to be looking for that type of book right at that time. 

And yes, that happens. 

So, just keep trying. Quit blaming the gods. The world is not out to get you. I promise you!