When I first started this blog, I intended to chronicle my journey to publishing at least one of my novels.
It has been a long and difficult trek, to say the least. I think if you could imagine yourself driving a car down a mountain road at 80 mph blindfolded, you would get a taste of what this has been like.
I contacted a local publisher about the possibility of having him publish the latest novel. He wants to see a
writing sample, which is standard procedure. I made an excuse (true confession time!) for not sending the sample out the very day I talked to him. Why? Because now I’m scared.
All the “what ifs” are floating around in my head—what if he doesn’t want to handle my book? What if he does?
Am I ready to work as hard as I will need to promote the book? Is it good enough?
Will people pay to read it?
I know that right now I am indulging myself in what my incredibly accomplished sister Rosemary calls the “imposter syndrome”—that somehow I have been fooling everyone and I’m really “not that good.”
Here is the sad saga of my quest for publication.
I have “cold queried” 10 or more agents. I have paid good money to sit across from even more agents and pitch my novel to them. I’ve had some interest in the book—and then received theinevitable, “You’re a talented writer, but…” email.
I’ve queried agents who have not had the courtesy to reply to my email.
One agent told me to my face that my novel couldn’t be very good—it wasn’t long enough. She never read even one sentence that I wrote. She then went on to tell a group of aspiring writers in a workshop I attended that we better not bad mouth her—because she would hunt us down and blackball us in the industry.
I have a mentor, L.C. Hayden, who has encouraged me. She generously tried to open a door for me at her publishing house—then her publisher decided to stop accepting romance/women’s fiction submissions.
Maybe you’re getting the picture.
Writing the novel took months of work and revisions took more months. I brought every chapter of the
novel to my writing critique group and welcomed their suggestions and criticisms (which I value highly). Then, I had the novel critically read by 5 more people—all of whom had suggestions. I had it professionally copy edited
for grammatical errors.
So, if this novel sees the light of day—which I hope and pray it does—it will be the culmination of months of work, unending efforts to “sell” it to the gatekeepers ( agents) and hours of pleading with God to just give me a chance.
Wish me luck as I finally gather the courage to take a chance once more, and bet all my chips that I have a winner!
I hope you get your work published. But even more than that I hope you are enjoying the ride of being an artist. In a world that often stifles all of our feelings and best instincts it is truly a gift to create. It is truly a message from God that living has meaning to make something from our soul and nurture it. Love the process and you will find your audience.
I appreciate your thoughts and support more than you will ever know. I love the process and thank God everyday for the opportunity to create. Being able to sharre our thoughts and experiences with others is a great gift.
GOOD LUCK AND DO NOT GIVE UP…………………
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Thanks, Nina!! Maybe by the time we go on the cruise, I can discuss the book with you! (-;
How exciting – good luck!
The very best of luck to you, Kathy! Keep the faith : )
Thanks, Marsha!
I can’t imagine the amount of time and work it must take to write a novel. You are a very talented lady and with some luck and much perserverance you may be surprised. Best of luck.
Mel
It is incredibly time consuming–but for me, it is a labor of love. Thanks for your good thoughts!
I want to be first to buy it!! Praying for your success.
Thanks for the vote of confidence!! We’ll read it for Book Chapter!
I have an idea, how about publishing an exerpt from your novel in Readers Digest or one of the leading magazines.
I feel you are a wonderful writer, heres hoping you get an agent to publish your novel.
Hi Carol, unfortunately being published in a magazine is just as hard as being published by a book publisher!
What I may do, if the novel gets published , is post a first chapter teaser on this blog or another website. Stay tuned!!
I wish you all the luck in the world and keep up the good work. You can count on me for a purchase of your GREAT BOOK.
Thanks, Eleanor!!
Kathy,
You can get your first novel published and you will.
And if you get tired of the submission
process, then self publish.
Beatrix Potter published her first stories.
Father Joseph Girzone self-published his first “Joshua”
and then Macmillan published the series.
Keep some positive thinking quotations around your work area.
Sleep on some too.
You have the time and talent…just go to it!
Buene Suerte. Viel Gluck, Good Luck!
Thanks so much, Bobbi–I hope that I will be as successful as I pray I’ll be.
You go for it Kathy! Over the years I have taken to heart the advice of many spiritual authors and people who have achieved spectacular success in life: “Do what terrifies you!” You are perfectly capable of dealing with everything that comes your way – don’t let the fear paralyze you.
Thanks, Marilyn. I wish you all the best on your children’s book. I can put a link to your Squidoo site on this blog!
God has giveen you a beautiful gift, your talent. He is waiting for the perfect time. Enjoy the writing and leave the rest to Him.
Lynn
Oh , how lovely! Thanks for saying that.
Thanks,Lynn. You are so right!
Kathy – I just read recently in two separate articles that the authors of Sarah’s Key and The Help both had trouble getting their books published…now I bet all those publishing houses wished they had taken a risk! Keep at it.
Thanks for the encouraging words.