The Comeback: The seriously funny way to survive rejection

By Emmeline Costa-Wagner

'Costa-Wagner's comebacks about the unfairness of the "gatekeepers" in the literary world, are witty, macroscopic and liberating' Sunday Tribune

6-February- 2012

Rejection emails this year so far: 86

Comeback 4: "Thanks Does this come with actual feedback, or are we doing the ominous silence thing again?"
This one highlights the diabolical nature of the corporate world as well as Hollywood. Or should I say "Hollyweird".

It's unlikely that you'll know Emmeline 's face or have heard her name. This is her semi-biographical self-help guide for trying to make it as an expatriate writer, artist and full time mum, through the typical career trajectory of what is deemed a 'self-publishing hack novelist'.

Realistically, writing books, scripts and illustrating, as a career, whilst juggling a household and raising kids as an expatriate - often ends in a great deal of frustration, disappointment, and a lot of rejection.

The Comeback humorously offers explanations of why the gatekeepers of the literary world and movie industry - reject so much talent. She offers comebacks to soothe one's psyche, to prove that your projects and ideas are never wasted.

A fascinating insight into the processes of querying and rejection, she tracks the need to be resilient in the face of repeated rejections. The Comeback also offers insights in how to not give up in search of that ever-elusive goal of being 'in print', optioned or finding your dream job.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GJP3VBL9
• ISBN13: 9798244604894
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 124 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 11.0"