S10 E23 Hearing “No” is Part of the Process: How 150+ Rejections Led to a "Big 5" Book Deal at Auction

Stephanie Webb, our marketing director at The Book Incubator, just got a dream book deal with Simon & Schuster. But it didn't come easily—or quickly.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why rejection is completely baked into publishing
• The psychology of almost quitting (and why it happens right before the breakthrough)
• The one editor's insight that changed everything
• How book auctions actually work
• The query letter that got her a literary agent

Find Stephanie Webb and hear more about her writing journey on Instagram @heystephwebb : https://www.instagram.com/heystephwebb/

Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com.

Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins

Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator 

Happy writing! — Mary

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RESOURCES:

+ Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template:
http://bit.ly/3wGmMTc

+ A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel:
https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts 

+ Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator in just 5 minutes with no obligation to enroll and get my free 60-minute training HOW TO WRITE YOUR DREAM BOOK WITH A FULL-TIME JOB (AND A LIFE):
https://bit.ly/3wEwrJQ

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Hi, I'm Mary!

I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025.

My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!). 

When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV.

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Social:

+ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator

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