The Best Rejection I Ever Got 💯

🎙️ New episode: Laura Cathcart Robbins shares how rejection was key to her success

Hey Bleeders,

Do you know how rejection can sometimes be a blessing in disguise? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Laura Cathcart Robbins, reminded me during our conversation on the latest episode of The Bleeders.

Laura is the author of the brilliant addiction memoir Stash: My Life in Hiding and the host of the popular podcast The Only One in the Room. Her path to publication wasn’t just inspiring—it was jaw-dropping (and I really needed to hear it).

Here’s the TL;DR of her story (though you’re definitely going to want to listen to this one if you need a pep talk!):

🌟 It started with rejection.

An agent turned her down but gave her actionable advice: build an author platform, complete the full memoir manuscript (not just a proposal), and get her name out there. Instead of sulking in the “no,” Laura saw this feedback as a call to action.

🌟 She took the advice and got to work.

She launched a blog, entered storytelling competitions (she even won a Moth!), and published articles at places like HuffPost. Then, in 2020, Laura came across HarperCollins' open call for unagented Black authors to submit 30 pages and a query. Thrilled at the opportunity, she sent her submission only to be rejected again because the call was for fiction—a detail that escaped her amid her initial excitement.

🌟 But that submission opened another door.

Laura shared the same 30 pages with a friend, a best-selling quit lit author, who passed them to her agent. By Tuesday of that week, Laura had a signed agent contract!

🌟 She kept rolling with the momentum.

The agent asked how quickly she could complete the book. Laura embraced the challenge, writing Stash in just six months.

The takeaway?

Rejection isn’t the end—it’s often a redirection. The feedback Laura received wasn’t just a critique; it was a roadmap. Her journey shows that with determination, persistence, and hustle, you can turn “no” into a life-changing yes.

Want to hear the details of Laura’s whirlwind success? Listen to the episode here.

Happy bleeding,
Courtney

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What’s the best redirection you’ve ever gotten from rejection?

Comment below or hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear!