The Busy-ness -- Jennie

There are three things I learned from my first writers’ conference: 1) it is infinitesimally possible to get published, 2) if you happen to be the lucky one in a ba-zillion who gets the chance, the actual process takes forever, and 3) if the book is printed during your lifetime, you won’t make much money.

All that aside, I’m still hoping, still trying, to get my story in print.

But the publishing world is busy. Really busy.

Agencies which promise a query response in 5-10 days are replying in four weeks, and others that promise 3 weeks are taking six. But they are replying.

Even on a Saturday—the morning after the Fourth of July—agencies were working; an incredibly polite assistant emailed an inquisition to whether her office could have a bit more time with my manuscript before Deciding.

Sure, I replied, renewed in hope after weeks of … nothing.

I pictured the assistant, blurry-eyed, coffee in hand as she sorted through a flooded Inbox. I felt for her.

This reminded me: I was humane once. It was, let’s see, the time before May 29, the time before I sent out the manuscript all over the nation.

I’ve been abominable.

Is it true that good things come to those who wait?

W_iting -- Jennie

So, I wrote a book. Two books, actually.

When people find out, they’re amazed.

Why? I wonder. It wasn’t difficult.

The hard part has been selling the thing(s). I’m now one month into pitching to agents and editors. Not the fun part. I’m biting my nails and watching reality TV and checking my email every five seconds while The Business pours over my
manuscript(s), deciding my fate.

This has made me realize: It might seem as though there’s a vast distance between “wRiting” and “wAiting.” Really, though, it’s just one letter space.

A big RRRRR!!!!!