[John Jarrold]

It's pointless worrying about turning down future bestsellers! You have to trust your judgement. Everyone turns down winners sometimes, so the point is to get on with what you are doing. No regrets!

I haven't known anyone whose first book was truly awful be successful later. But sometimes they can grow from an interesting start to future publication. Charles Stross is an example. He was submitting novels to everyone in London and New York from the late 80s, and has only been published in recent years. It's not just the talent, it's honing that talent and writing the right book.

And it's worth checking that a publisher to whom you're submitting is publishing in the exact area you're writing. So, for example, if a publisher doesn't publish humorous fantasy and that is what you have written, look elsewhere. If they wanted to be involved in that area, they would be. Every author needs an editor and publisher who chime with their vision, so you will need to submit many, many times to many people, in all likelihood.