Even the greatest novelists of all time and the big names we all know and laud had to go through the process of being a first-timer in the publishing world. It is an incredibly tough market to break into, even if you have the best idea in the world. There are so many factors working against your potential best seller that the process can seem daunting and not worth it. That being said, the best thing you can do is keep writing and keep submitting the work until eventually something will catch on. The problems that all authors face and the rejection letters that everyone (even James Joyce, Stephanie Meyer, George Orwell, J. K. Rowling) receives are just a part of the process. Be patient and work through the process no matter how disheartening it may be. This list is a collection of 15 harsh realities and problems that all first time authors face when trying to write and publish their novel. It may seem like an impossible process, but remember that if it was easy everyone would do it and there would be nothing special about seeing your name in print. Everyone has the fantasy of meeting someone in a coffee shop who happens to be reading the book that you wrote. If you can just get past these hurdles it may one day be a reality!