Of the 19 targeted agencies, I sent out 13 more email queries for Heretic this weekend. I hope something good comes of this set. Time will tell. I’m hopeful and apprehensive at the same time.
I’ve given Heretic enough time to get cold in my head. This week I will do one last edit, and then the novel will be 110% done. Nothing more will be done to it until an editor at a publishing house hacks it apart.
I’ve finally decided how I want to start the sequel. I’m hoping to start putting words to paper this coming weekend. I’m very excited to get started on it!
I’ve identified 19 more agents to query for my novel. I’ll be sending out emails to them over the next week. I’m also entering it in the 2007 WV Writer’s Contest, in the hopes of earning a prize and being about to list placement as a credential in my query letters. Last of all, I’m considering submitting it to another contest that offers publication as a prize. I’m just not sure I agree with the terms and conditions.
The second agent who asked to see my novel has turned me down. It doesn’t matter. I’m not happy about it, but I’m not as upset as I thought I would be. I guess my hide is pretty thick.
I have no room to complain. Some people go through hundreds of queries before they get a passing glance. I got two shards of interest out of my first seven attempts. The tally so far is
seven total queries
2 of which were rejected flat out
3 of which have been ignored thus far
2 of which resulted in requests to read, but ended in rejection.
So I have 4 rejections and 3 ignores, and counting.
Speaking of rejections, I heard back from a video game company I hoped would hire me to do some writing. The email was… inconclusive. Near as I can tell, they aren’t interested in hiring me right now, but they didn’t throw away my application… strange.
This weekend I’ll put together queries for more agents. I’ll keep at it until I’ve hit up every damned agent I can find. I’m also going to submit the novel to another contest that offers publication as a prize. I don’t have much faith or hope in it, but you never know.
I also need to put together a submission packet for the WV Writers contest. I won first place in the humor category last year. I’m going to enter multiple categories again this year. I’m hoping the novel will place this year so I can have something else to distinguish it on my query letters. I’ll know in June.
A few people have emailed me or called me, trying to make sure I won’t quit trying to get my book published.
I appreciate the concern, but I want everyone to understand that I will not stop. I can not stop.
I’ve been a story teller since I learned to speak, and I’ve been a writer since I learned to write. As far back as I can remember, I’ve never wanted to do anything but write, and nothing makes me happier than when I’m in that creative groove, dancing with my muse, and doing my best to just wear that bitch completely out before she decides to leave me again.
Considering this, some ask the question (and I’ve asked it of myself many times,) Why haven’t you been writing? Why aren’t you already published? Why are you almost thirty-two years old with no substantial publication to your credit?
People point out Christopher Paolini. He became a New York Times best seller when he was 19. People say, if you’re so great, Tom, why haven’t you made it by now when this kid got on his feet when he was 19? VIEW MORE