don’t hold your breath

One thing I’ve learnt over the last eight years of writing, and submitting what I’ve written to publishers, is not to hold my breath while waiting for a reply.

Publishing houses are extremely busy places and though our manuscripts are our precious, darling children and “‘works of genius” that should be read immediately before we pull out all our hair; the reality is that even requested materials are put into a huge pile and set to one side while the real business of getting already contracted books ready for publication is done. Editors read through the pile mostly in their FREE time, on the bus, on weekends, late at night. Which begs the question – do these poor buggers ever get to read a book they really like?

Meantime, we writers sit at home, checking emails as if we have obssessive compulsive disorder, jumping whenever the phone rings, nerves churning in our bellies, full of hope and doubt, grandiose fantasies of super best selling stardom and thoughts of throwing in the towel.

For me, the best cure for “Waiting to Hear” angst is to get stuck into the next project (which is maybe why I have quite a pile of manuscripts to send out!).

Fave suggests sending several different pieces out at once, so you’re not just focussed on one. W’hatever you do, stay busy.

Be hopeful. Dream big. But know that whichever way the penny eventually falls you’re going to be okay. The world doesn’t crumble into a heap with a rejection. Keep redrafting and searching for the perfect beholder of your work.In this business, everything takes a lot of time. Be patient.

Keep your fingers crossed. Just don’t hold your breath.

Write like furies everyone!

Love

Edwina