Well, I’ve done it.
Though I thought it would never be done, I’ve done it.
I finished editing my novel, and have queried an agent.
Now, rest assured, I have no illusions. The first agent will probably not be interested. The fifth will probably say no. I may never sell this particular manuscript. My collection of short-story-rejection-slips will now become a collection of short-story-and-novel-rejection-slips.
But the fact remains – I finished a manuscript and submitted it.
There’s a finality inherent in this that actually surprises me. I can no longer beg for more time, because I need to edit it again, or because I’m not happy with the beginning (I’m not) or because I’m waiting on another critique.
Rather, I think it’s as good as it’s going to get, and I have sent it out into the world to sink or swim.
I’d ask you to wish me luck, but I think we all know that luck really doesn’t have anything to do with it. If I’ve written a good story, it’ll do well. If I haven’t… well, then I’ll write another one. And now that this one is finished, I may have better luck continuing with another one.
*Sniff* They grow up so quickly, don’t they?
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 am
The way I see it, you’re way ahead of most. You’ve finished, where most haven’t started. And, just in the odd case that luck does have something to do with getting a good publisher, good luck!
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:31 am
Someone once told me that when a painting is finished, it’s finished, and you have to let it go live its own life, however imperfect it may be. It seems the same could be said of writing.
Are you also looking at publishers outside North America? Readers’ tastes differ by continent and hemisphere - perhaps you could improve your odds!
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
Hopefully, I’ll get to join you in the querying process sometime in the next decade.
And Heidi has a great point- the sense of humor that you and Pinhole have would probably do quite well in Canada and Britain. Think Terry Pratchett.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Montucky: if luck does play a part, I thank you very much. I’ll keep you all posted as to my progress.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Heidi: that’s exactly what it’s like. It must now survive on its own, and I hope I gave it a good enough start.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
wordvixen: Keep plugging away at your WIPs, and you’ll be querying away like an expert.
As for foreign publishing, I may let my agent (ha! that sounds funny) decide if my stuff would do well elsewhere. I don’t know that I’m qualified to make that assumption. I do love British humor, though. Terry Pratchett is incredible, and I miss Douglas Adams.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Congratulations for having the balls to do it! I envy your courage
March 24th, 2008 at 8:19 am
[...] 24, 2008 at 9:19 am (Books, Writing) Major congratulations and indeed props to Monsieur Wolf for having the guts to start submitting. May your rejections be few and your bottles of bourbon [...]
March 24th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Thanks, Morgan. I think it’s actually easier to send it out than it is to open up the responses, particularly if it’s an email query. I mean, the response has the ability to change your life, you know? Scary.
March 24th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Congratulations Wolf, let me be the first (at least in this state) to request an autographed copy.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:50 am
By all means, Brent - consider it yours. Anybody else want one?
March 26th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I want an autographed copy, Wolf.
If luck really has nothing to do with it, I am thinking your work will be in print before too very long.
Congratulations for getting it to this stage!
March 27th, 2008 at 6:18 am
Thanks for the vote of confidence, believin. An autographed copy is yours, of course.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
[...] finished editing and submitted my book about a month ago. (No, nothing yet. Or, rather, lots of “No, thanks” and no “Yes, please, [...]