Scholastic Told Me My Idea Was Terrible. 12 Years Later, I Published It Anyway

15 years ago, I pitched my idea for ‘You’re Not Weird, You’re an Artist’ to a lead author at a Scholastic event. I was actually hired to paint zombies for a book launch (didn’t even get credit for it, but whatever). While painting her, I told her about my book idea—how it would celebrate the creative kids who feel like outsiders.

She didn’t just reject it. She straight-up told me it was a terrible idea. That “no one would get it.”

I was crushed. I let that comment live rent-free in my head for years. But guess what? I wrote the book anyway. It took 12 years because, well… life, nerves, procrastination.

I self-published ‘You’re Not Weird, You’re an Artist’ a month ago. So far, I’ve sold 48 physical copies and 30 digital downloads—not exactly bestseller numbers, but every single one feels like a little victory.

I don’t know if that author remembers me, but I remember how her words made me feel. And I’m so glad I didn’t listen.

If you’ve ever been told your ideas are “terrible” by someone in a position of power, let this be your reminder: They’re not always right.

Let’s make the mean lady at Scholastic regret this one.