Perseverance as an Indie Author: Celebrating Wins, UK Book Festivals, and Never Giving Up

As an indie author, you quickly learn that rejection is part of the process. Submissions that vanish into the ether, competitions where you don’t quite make the shortlist, or social media posts that never seem to reach beyond a handful of readers. It can feel like you’re speaking into a void.

But this week, I’m celebrating. Against the backdrop of all the “no’s” and the silences, I received two big “yes’s.” And one of them is a dream come true: I’ll be on a panel at a book festival next year.

For years, I’ve admired the authors who are always front and centre at these events, especially those with traditional publishers behind them. They seem to have an advantage, with whole marketing teams amplifying their work. Meanwhile, as an independent author, I’ve often wondered if I’d ever get that kind of opportunity.

And now, finally, I have.

The Power of Not Giving Up

The truth is, perseverance is everything in this industry. Writing books, publishing independently, and promoting them on platforms where algorithms often feel stacked against you is not easy. (Hello, TikTok and Instagram!) Some days it seems like no one notices your work, no matter how much heart you put into it.

But the lesson here is simple: keep going anyway. Keep showing up. Keep applying, entering, submitting, and posting. Because the right “yes” can come when you least expect it.

Making the Most of a “Yes Week”

This week has reminded me that each small success matters. Even though I’ve been ignored in some competitions and recently missed out on placing in the top three of another, I’ve also been chosen. I’ve been seen. And that’s worth celebrating.

When things don’t go your way, it’s easy to spiral into doubt. But when they do, when the door finally opens, you realise all those moments of perseverance weren’t wasted. They were preparing you for this.

A Message for Fellow Writers and Dreamers

If you’re a writer, a creative, or simply someone chasing a dream, let this be encouragement: your “yes” is out there too. Rejection isn’t the end of the story. Sometimes it’s just the waiting room before your breakthrough.

So celebrate every step forward, no matter how small, and trust in your abilities. Even when things feel bleak, even when no one seems to notice, keep going. Because your time will come.

And when it does, it’s worth every moment of the wait.

Have you had a “yes moment” recently, big or small, that made all the difference? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.

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