From 1,000 Rejections To New York Times Bestseller

How does an author go from 1,000 rejections to New York Times Bestseller? Tune in to find out! Senior editor Ruqayyah Daud (LBYR/Requited/Hachette Book Group) and her author Jordan Stephanie Gray sit down to talk about what actually happens between "I love this manuscript" and a book on shelves: what really goes on in an acquisitions meeting, why a "no" is almost never about your writing, the call that changed Jordan's career while she was at Disney World — and how an author who got 1,000 rejections ended up a New York Times bestseller. Whether you're drafting your first manuscript or waiting on submission, this one's for you. 0:00 Meet Ruqayyah and Jordan 1:58 The call that changed everything 7:09 Inside an acquisitions meeting 9:44 The real reason most manuscripts get rejected 13:02 Do editors still edit? 14:21 How to handle reviews and get off Goodreads 16:32 Advice for every writer still in the query trenches JORDAN STEPHANIE GRAY is the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult paranormal romantasy Bitten and the adult mermaid romantasy The Wicked Sea. When she isn't lounging by the pool and typing away at her computer, she is likely cuddling her pugs in sunny Florida. Follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Substack @jordanstephaniegray, and visit her website jordanstephaniegray.com. RUQAYYAH DAUD is a senior editor at LBYR and Requited. She acquires everything from middle grade through New Adult. Some of her titles include the #1 New York Times bestseller Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma, the critically acclaimed As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh, and the buzzed-about romantasy Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray. Learn more about Manuscript Academy: https://manuscriptacademy.com Find your agent match: https://manuscriptwishlist.com Book a 1:1 consultation with a literary agent: https://manuscriptacademy.com/consultations Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other writers find the show.