And if you're gonna try, you need to have thick skin. No, I'm talking about super tough, rhinoceros hide type skin.
You'll get lots of rejections. You may even begin to wonder if your work is any good. You may lose self-confidence. You may even shed a few tears.
But, not to worry. There is hope.
At least, that's what I keep telling myself.
A year ago when I sat down to "finish" my manuscript, I had no idea what was in store. As I wrote that last line of my novel and triumph surged through my veins, I had visions of success running through my head. When I wrote my query (let me back up, first I had to figure out what a query WAS), I was giddy and nervous with excitement. My book was awesome. Who wouldn't want to read it?
Then reality set in. Apparently my book wasn't as unique as I first thought. Apparently, not EVERY agent is dying to get their hands on it. No, I might not be the female version of Nicholas Sparks (that one is still debatable).
As the rejections keep coming from agents, I take a small moment to be disappointed, but then I feel a glimmer of hope. I WILL get this book published. I want it so bad I can taste it. This novel is a creation of my heart and soul, with pieces of myself poured into the pages. I want to share it with others. I feel almost an urgency to get it out there. I ask myself, "what's the rush?" I don't know. But I do feel anxious as I play the waiting game.
There are other options, right? I don't HAVE to get an agent to have this novel published. But, it would be a dream. To have someone recognize my work as worthy of representation. As worthy of their time and skills. To have someone take a chance on me.
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| Courtesy of Spiritofpurpose.com |
Or I could go the small pub route, or even self-pub.
Choices, choices. Too many choices.
What about you? Have you had to make some HARD choices? What did you decide?
Sometimes I think agents don't want something that's unique - they're too set in their ways and only want to take on what they know will sell.
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep trying if you have the time. I didn't want to waste any years so mine are ebooks on Amazon. I've yet to have them published, perhaps through a small publisher.
All the best, Kristin, whatever you choose.
Very true. I love your wisdom! Thanks for weighing in on your publishing choice! I love hearing others stories--it helps me know about all the other different avenues I could take. :)
DeleteOh my goodness, YES. I think querying is pretty much a waste of time. If you're serious about getting an agent, go for agent-judged contests and conferences. They MUCH more effective. As far as publishing though...that's a toughie. It's all about what you want out of the process: fame, money, sharing your work, all of the above? You have to choose from what will be the most fulfilling for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice Crystal! I entered a few contests recently, and am now waiting to hear back.
DeleteAll of the above!! LOL :)
I agree with Crystal. I've had much more luck getting requests through contests than querying. Only you know if you want to keep going with querying. Each time I stopped querying on a project it was because I knew there was something wrong with it. But each time, I finished a new project before I finished revising the last one, so I ended up just querying that.
ReplyDeleteSounds like contests are the way to go!! You sound like me! I keep finishing a new project before revising the one before it! :)
DeleteI never even considered looking for an agent. There were so many publishers who accepted direct submissions, including some large ones, so I started there. And it finally paid off.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look into that! Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteI got an agent - after 93 queries. Now he's busy trying to get a publisher. It's a long process!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! That is dedication!! Curious as to how long you were in the "query trenches"...
DeleteI think we're soul mates, Kristin! I feel pretty much everything you described above. I just started querying for the second time last month(the first time was short lived b/c I quickly realized the book was horrible, lol!) and I've spent the last several weeks thinking my work is about as good as gum stuck to the bottom of your shoes. =) Hang in there, chica, you're not alone!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leandra! This definitely is not an easy process. We just have to have hope!! :)
DeleteIf you believe in it as much as you do you will get it published but it is hard when rejection keeps hitting you in the face-don't despair! keep trying and it will pay off
ReplyDeleteThanks Birgit! I appreciate your words of encouragement! :)
DeleteI started out not knowing what a query was either! In the early days, I tried a few times to query agents. Then I read an interview with Debbie Macomber and she said she said she didn't understand why writers were hanging all their hopes on agents...they should be querying editors. So, I started querying publishers that didn't require agents and went that route. I think if you're writing out of the love of writing, the road you take doesn't really matter.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Great advice. Based off your own story, I just started looking into publishers who don't require agents. Thanks for the tip!! :)
DeleteI got two rejections today just from websites.=) But it doesn't get me down. It doesn't matter how many rejections. It matters how many say yes!!=)
ReplyDeleteSorry about the rejections. :( But, I LOVE your attitude!!
DeleteThe first amazing admission you mentioned is that there is no rush. There really isn't - unless you're like me and bombard yourself with self-inflicted ones. (Yeah, don't don that.) Every writer's path to publication is unique. It's yours. I'm a firm believer in there's no right or wrong, here. Could you have made different choices along the way? Sure, but with each there is something to learn. And it that is how you become a better writer. :)
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