I don't know whether to cry or leap for joy, but yes, I've finally done it! On this, my nineteenth wedding anniversary, I'm joining the ranks of you wonderful writers who have submitted queries and synopsis into the infamous slush pile of Steeple Hill Books, or any other editors/agents slush pile for that matter. We're just one big happy slush family, no matter where our labored pages reside, right?
After mailing my baby out this morning, hubby and I will be celebrating our anniversary in Toronto, checking out the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit there. I still can't find my camera, so I'm bumbed about that, but hopefully one of our daughters will loan me theirs for the day.
So, for you experienced ones, just how do you manage the slush pile wait? I'm actually looking forward to receiving my first official rejection letter to start the progressive writers process. It's got to happen some time, so I'm gathering courage and just praying that some helpful advice will come with the expected letter. I think I might curl up and die if I receive only a form letter rejection. Don't even want to think of how I would handle that after nearly seven years of writing my heart out. That's yet another scenario to add to my prayers.
So how long of a wait have you all endured? And how did you keep from splitting from anticipation as those final weeks approached?
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
20 comments:
None of my submissions ever took longer than three months to get rejected. :-) And none of them got a form rejection, even when I was an absolute newbie. Although, my first rejection was from the editor's assistant, not the editor I'd subbed to.
So that's M E in the pic, right? LOL!
Congrats on submitting!!!! I hope you get a full request. :-)
Oh yeah, to help with the wait I keep writing. But I still check the mailbox everyday with a crazed light in my eye. (pov shift, I know, lol)
Eileen, Congrats on taking this big next step! I have no doubt that you're going to be moving into the ranks of requested MS very soon, whether from the slush pile or at the conference in Sept.
I'm learning the waiting never ends! I waited in the agent slush pile for months. And now I'm waiting upon editors! But like Jessica said, if we can just keep writing, moving forward with our next book and keep growing in the craft, then we can tell ourselves: if this book doesn't succeed, then the next one will be better and maybe it will!
Happy Anniversary! Have a fun day!
Happy Anniversary!! I'm not waiting in any slushpiles right now (I haven't in a VERY long time, since I was a newbie and submitted way too early), but I am looking forward to joining you in Sept!!
Well, congrats on submitting, AND on your anniversary!!! Like I always say, we writers need to rack up a nice pile of rejections before the acceptances come in... yay rejection letters! LOL. But you've submitted, and that's what counts... that's a big, exciting step!
Happy anniversary and congrats on submitting! How do I manage the wait? I've personally found working on my next manuscript, as well as sending my work out to other publishers and agents, helps me get through the wait. When I do get the call someday, I want to be able to say, "Now which manuscript was this?" Okay maybe I won't SAY that but I'll be thinking it!
Congratulations on sending out your first submission. It's exhilarating, isn't it? I barely remember my first rejection, it was so long ago. Back when every query was sent and returned by snail mail. It seemed to make the waiting longer :) The advice to keep writing is a good one! Learn, grow, and have fun while you're waiting.
And Happy Anniversary!
Congratulations, Eileen! What a great step you've taken toward your goal. I'm so happy for you! Let's see...my longest wait was in an agent slush pile AFTER he requested the full manuscript: 7 agonizing months.
No secret tricks. Waiting really is the hard part.
Congratulations, Eileen! This is BIG!
My secret? Get on to the next thing. Start that next project. It will be impossible to forget about your submission, but easier to wait if you're working on something new. :)
And Happy Anniversary!
Big day for you! Congratulations on the manuscript and the anniversary. Enjoy the change in schedule today, brush off the keys in the morning and start typing some more! Or read a book or two that you've been meaning to get to, esp ones that will feed your spirit give you fresh ideas.
congrats, eileen! it's still exciting to hear you've gotten your baby off! i haven't done that yet...just waiting on the right time or feeling to press me in that direction.
have a wonderful vacation!
Eileen, I hope you and your personal hero have a wonderful time celebrating your nineteen years of marriage. The exhibit sounds fascinating. Definitely borrow a camera says this scrapbooker.
Congrats on sending out your submission. What a courageous step. Here's hoping you receive good news in the near future.
When I submitted in the past--to an agent, editor or even a contest--I used to get my hopes up and watch the calendar. I've learned to let go and focus on my current project. This worked well for me recently. I entered two contests last spring and did my best to forget about them. I couldn't even remember which I'd entered until one of the contest coordinators called last night to tell me my entry is a finalist. Instead of weeks of agonized waiting, I received a pleasant surprise. And my fingernails didn't suffer as badly as in the past. :)
First of all, happy anniversary! Have a great time! And congrats on sending out your work! I wish you all the luck in the world. Most of my rejections came within a month. Others three months. And still others, never replied. It's tough, but you'll get through it. And you never know, that first response you get just might be a request! :)
What a great perspective! And, a wonderful way to start your anniversary celebration ... knowing your manuscript is on its way to the next step! Congrats! The wait ... anywhere from a couple weeks to 9 months (that's the most painful!!!). Good luck!
Congrats on sending it out! I am in several slush piles the more the better so when one rejection comes, I still have hope!
I know I'm late on this one, but I had to comment! Congratulations!!! I KNOW you won't get a form letter. It probably will take them a while to get back to you, so just sit back and enjoy the conference before stalking the mail.
Let's see..my stats: Yep--I've gotten the good-old-form rejection twice! The longest I've waited--one full year. I'd forgotten they even had it!
I'm so happy for you. The time is right. And happy anniversary!!
Congrats on both issues--your book and anniversary!
You go, girl!! Enjoy your time with hubby on your anniversary...and that's what you do while you wait...you live life to the full and keep on writing!
Yeah, Eileen! I'm not to the submission point yet, so I'll be asking you this question in a year - - or 2 or 3 or 4! :)
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