Sticking Your Neck Out

Well, I’ve finally done it. I stuck my neck out and have submitted my manuscript to three different places. It is a daunting task giving this thing I’ve worked on for so long, years at this point, to someone to accept or reject. There is risk in allowing someone to see what I’ve created. The story shows what lies inside me. But that’s kind of the point when you’re a writer. You create this thing, and then you have to give it away. Not unlike having and raising a child. You know at some point that you will no longer have control and they will not continue to be a part of your daily life. They will cease to become your purpose in life.

But just like raising children, you have to let go of your manuscript. It has to be released to the publishing world or the world at large if you’re self-publishing. Someone will decide if it is good or bad. This thing you’ve poured your heart and soul into will be judged, and it makes us as writers feel as if we personally are being judged. That’s the part that is hard to reconcile. It isn’t about us, the writer, at all. We’re nice people. We’re doing the best we can to present a quality piece of writing for others to enjoy. And that’s the thing. We create this work because we do want others to read and find pleasure in what we’ve created. If we don’t put it out into the universe, we cannot find the success and affirmation that we are hoping for.

My first foray was to submit to a Harlequin submission blitz that was part of the Romance Slam Jam conference I attended earlier this year. Conferences and workshops often offer such opportunities, but this was the first one that I had taken advantage of. I am proud to say that I received my first official rejection letter. Woo-hoo! I was neither upset nor disappointed to receive such a rejection. As a matter of fact, I welcomed it. Now I can say I am a “real writer” because I have proof that I have officially put my manuscript out there and it was turned down. The only thing I was disappointed about is that no feedback was provided. I’ve done the best I can with this story. I know it’s missing something, but I don’t know what. I can’t fix what I don’t know is wrong. I have given the book to beta readers and worked with my writing partners to learn various craft techniques, but if you don’t tell me what the story needs, how am I to know? I realize that editors get thousands of submissions each year. They cannot possibly give constructive feedback to everyone who submits. I am realistic in that respect. I just wish it wasn’t so. I actually feel lucky to have gotten any written response, even if it was a form letter, because many editors and agents don’t send any response at all.

Which leads me to my second attempt at submission. I submitted to Pitch Wars. If you don’t know about Pitch Wars and #pitmad, I suggest you check it out. Anyway, on the last night of the deadline, I was frantically getting everything together, watching the submission video they had, reading all the FAQs, making sure I had everything together the way they required. (If you don’t know this, following submission guidelines is most important. It’s as much showing them you can follow directions as it is about having a good manuscript.) Anyway, I hit submit and was certain nothing would happen. To my surprise and delight, one of the mentors I asked to work with requested additional pages of my story. To say I was excited is an understatement. I sat down that day and got together the additional pages they asked for and answered all their questions. (I have to say, I think I did a great job with those. I loved my answers.) In the end, I was huddled in my bed at midnight waiting for the list to post. Gratefully, my husband stayed up with me to see if I made the list. I did not. But I didn’t really expect to. See I got what I needed from the competition. Validation. Someone liked my story and saw value in it. It didn’t matter that they didn’t choose me. They saw me. They liked my story. Out of over 4,000 applicants, I was part of a small group of writers who was asked for more. They saw enough to seriously consider my work. Imagine how that feels. What’s more, those mentors offered feedback and constructive criticism that has helped me during the editing process. They asked me to stay in touch and wished me luck. I made a personal connection with my story. Yippee!! That in itself in a win.

My final submission was finished last night. Berkeley Romance is having open submissions from now until January. (Click the link for more information.) I submitted my story and all the other required pieces. Now I sit and wait. Am I hopeful? Absolutely. Maybe my story will click with an editor there in a way it didn’t at Harlequin. But I’m also realistic. This is a tough business. It’s competitive and lots of people are trying to do the same thing I am. Who knows what editors and agents are looking for? Why they see value in one story versus another? But my story has piqued someone’s interest before, and maybe it will again.

I will keep querying. The Pitch Wars mentors told me it does work. I can always self-publish. There are many options open to us as writers. I will begin editing my second manuscript. I’ve signed up for a pitch event at a conference this spring. Who knows what will happen? The one thing I know for sure is that if I don’t put myself out there, I can’t ever get published.

Wishing you all the best in this season and for the coming year.