I've added a link to a second blog (yes, I'm writing a second one, I've lost my mind) where I chronicle my efforts to get my new fiction manuscript published.
You see, November is National Novel Writing Month, and I managed to participate and finish (write a 55,000-word novel in 30 days) and was really pleased with the result. So, after editing on my own, and getting some friends to help me edit, I headed to a book festival to learn how to get the thing published. It's my dream, really, to be a published author. Well, more than that, to be a successful author so I can tell all the work morons to shove off.
So I started sending out what we in "the biz" call query letters - it's a one-page pitch letter to agents to get them to represent my book to publishers. Now, let me say that it's VERY hard to get an agent, and I know that rejection is part of the game. But I've got to tell you, it's eating at me. I'm starting to wonder if I should've even bothered.
And here's the kicker. I had one agent ask to see a synopsis and the first three chapters based on my query letter, and another agency ask to see the full manuscript. Which is good, RIGHT? So I should be HAPPY! EXCITED even! But remember that quote in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts says "it's easier to believe the bad stuff" that people say about you? I'm a worrier by nature, so now I'm starting to think, "What if that agent doesn't like the three chapters?" "What if ALL the agents turn me down. What then? Rewrite the book and re-pitch. Try writing another and go through the whole thing again?" (I've got another book in my head already) But why am I worrying? I've not heard from all of the people that I sent emails to, and it takes weeks to hear back from the ones you send via snail mail. So I should stop worrying. AAACK.
Which is why I ask you, my kind readers, to leave some encouragement for me. Please. I need it. :) Really, it's not just a ploy for comments. If you REALLY want to make me feel better, sign my frappr map, or post a link to my site! (Ok, that was shameless, but still.)
Tags: novel, writing, agents, Publishing, query letters,
rejection letters
10 comments:
all the best for your writing...
D
My book is a kind of chick-lit romantic comedy. Semi-based on my life, but taken more to an extreme. The main character has a list of 50 qualities she wants in her future husband (my list has gotten whittled down to 5. ha.)
More than that, and you won't by the book! :)
**Thinking good thoughts for you**
My sister over at www.sconeat12.blogspot.com,(her link is on my site) is a professional editor. She used to work for the NSA chasing international criminals, but now freelances from home. She also did the NaNoWriMo and has completed her own work.
Any chance we could get a few pages on line as a teaser?
Oh, and I will link you up.
I'm a bit scared to put pages up, because an artist blogging friend of mine had her artwork stolen and used from her site. People are mean. If I get it published, you guys will definitely get a sneak peak. I might even have to have a web page for my book!
But I have started book 2. It's quite different in style and topic from book 1. It's a story about my friend and my travel adventures. I'm 6,000 words into it, and only covered trip number 1. :)
Carmen--when I was in elementary school we had an author came and talk to us and he talked about the process that he went through to get published. He filled file cabinets with rejection letters and then he finally got somebody to sign on and then he became a really, really famous children's author.
I remember being REALLY excited when he came to talk to us. So, there's hope for you. And, besides--who doesn't love chick-lit. :)
Carmen- I commented over at your book site, but may have did it twice- I'm having blogger issues today!
*fingers crossed for you *
I wrote this once, then got an error message saying that "an engineer was being notified of blog problems." Pictured some poor guy getting a phone call waking him up and rushing to blog HQ to fix whatever the problem is.
Anyway, Decca records rejected The Beatles. That's the most encouraging thing I can think of. Writing is too subjective to get upset over a rejection. I have enough difficulties coming up with blog stuff every day, so I think you should be proud of being able to write a novel. Don't stop believing in your dreams.
You must be as mad as me, I've got about 5 on the go. This is just a little note to let you know my T13 is up.
I'm very excited for you! Will have to check out the other site, too. ;)
oh, good luck! All my best wishes for you (although you don't know me, consider it a prayer!)
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