By Stephanie J. Hale  » Writers are sometimes told their work is 'unpublishable' but go on to prove that this just isn't true! Not only this, but their books are such a massive success that they sell millions of copies and top the bestseller charts. 

And - surprise, surprise - the same publishers who rejected them in the first place, are suddenly desperate to sign them up.

Tales of literary rejection are the stuff of myth and legend. So consider a handful of these tales and take heart:

• Agatha Christie was rejected many times. Her first publisher, Bodley Head, sat on her book for 18 months before agreeing to publish it. She went on to write a further 90 titles.
• Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone was rejected by 12 publishers before finally being accepted. J.K. Rowling has since sold 325 million books in just under 10 years!
• Iain Banks wrote five novels without success before his bestseller, The Wasp Factory, was retrieved from the slush pile at Macmillan.
• William Golding's Lord of the Flies received 21 rejections, before Faber & Faber spotted its potential.
• Beatrix Potter decided to self-publish her book after rejections from six publishers. She printed 250 copies of her Peter Rabbit books against the advice of publisher, Frederick Warne. Their popularity was such that he eventually agreed to launch the books, complete with coloured illustrations.
• Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen had their book rejected by 33 different publishers who told them short stories just wouldn't sell. They've since sold over 100 million copies of Chicken Soup For The Soul.

Writing is a business the same as anything else. It's the hurdles that separate the winners from the losers.

Losers are put off by the mud and mire. Winners see rejection as a necessary part of the process. Eventually, they succeed through sheer determination and persistence.

• Stephanie J Hale is a leading writers' coach and publishing scout who has worked with bestselling authors and top literary agents for over 20 years. She specializes in helping writers get the publishing deal and readership they deserve. For some free publishing tips, see www.richwriterpoorwriter.com