Wednesday, January 26, 2011

My Act of Submission

I've been getting a lot of emails, asking how things are going now that I have an agent. Short answer: Great! But, I know, that answer doesn't really say a lot.

The truth is, I am thrilled/amazed/thankful to have the support of such a wonderful person. But I still have to cook for the family, pay the bills and put away the mountain of laundry threatening to overtake my dining room. So in a lot of ways, things haven't changed that much. At least, not yet.

In December, Michelle asked some questions, made some brilliant suggestions and I finished my edits on New Year's Day. Then the day I left on vacation, she pitched a list of editors. Most of them asked to see the manuscript. Hooray!

And now...

...we wait.

And ignore the butterflies of anticipation.

Kind of like querying. (Yes, I just went to check my email as it dinged!)

Katie Anderson says to enjoy submissionitis, that pukey feeling that sends your pulse racing, sort of like first love.

Um, yeah. First boyfriend? We all know how that relationship turned out!
Still, I see her point. It's all about enjoying every step of the journey.

Since this is my first time on submission, I have nothing to compare it to, but Stina Lindenblatt found a great post by ABLA agent Jennifer Laughran that you really should read, whether you're on submission or still looking for an agent. It pretty much lays out all the details of what happens after you get an agent. It's fun to read.

And to dream :)


http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2010/12/i-got-call-um-now-what.html

22 comments:

Unknown said...

What an emotional and exciting time! Best of luck while you wait for the good news that's just over the horizon. Can't wait to help you celebrate selling that book!

Angela said...

Patience, patience, so much easier said then done. You keep your laundry in the living room?

Anne Gallagher said...

Still and all, even with the laundry and the bills and the kids, it must creep up on you. I can see the slow grin spreading over your face in the grocery store, people think you're weird but you're just realizing, "I'm out on submission." I'm so happy for you.

Stina said...

I'm so excited for you, Sherrie. I have a number of friends in the various phases of the submission process. It's interesting hearing what's going on with their books--and scary too. Good Luck!

And thanks for the shout out. :D

Laura Pauling said...

I've heard the waiting during submissions can be harder than waiting while querying! I can't imagine that, but I'm sure you can! I know you'll share good news when you have it. And we're all rooting for you!

lotusgirl said...

Pins and needles. But in a good way. I'm very excited for you. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Karen Denise said...

Sherry! It's been a long time. (Totally my fault. I've been hybernating.) I didn't even know you had an agent so belated CONGRATULATIONS!!!! OMG! And I'm only 5% jealous-lol. Good luck out on submissions. Man, if it's like that first love, then I'm going to be doing a lot of crying when I get to that point-lol. I can't wait to read you novel!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I like this post title. It says so much. Double meanings and all that. Being submissive means to be patient, to wait, to enjoy life while waiting for things out of one's control, be humble and avoid excessive expectations and great flights of fantasy. I am currently waiting for about 7 events to occur that are out of my hands, so yes I need to be submissive and take my own advice!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

This was so wonderful. I'm linking up, now. I am still so excited for you. *cheeky grin*

Susan R. Mills said...

I can only imagine how hard it is to be patient for you now. I hope you hear something soon, and by something, I mean something good!

Creepy Query Girl said...

congratulations! I can see how it can feel sureal since so many things don't change but at the same time it must be so exciting to know it's one step closer to being 'out there'! GOod luck!

JEM said...

Congrats to you, I'm sending good vibes your way! (not that you need them)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Sweet dreams....:D
(you know I believe the day is coming)

Kelly Polark said...

Exciting times, Sherrie (among the routine of everyday life!). I hope to hear good news from you soon!!

Kristan said...

Most of them asked to see it? YAYAYAYYAYA! That's awesome. Congrats. :)

Rebecca Gomez said...

So exciting! I can't wait to hear some good news (which I'm sure will come sooner than later).

Jamie Grey said...

Good luck!!! So excited for you!*Fingers crossed* that you hear something soon! Those butterflies can threaten to take over if you're not careful :)

Katie Anderson said...

Ooo Fun! I'm off the read that other post :)

(with my barf bag)

ha!

Becky Levine said...

Yeah, I have yet to hear about an agent who, among his/her many other talents, gets that laundry to magically disappear. Jeeves as agent?!

Happy & Exciting Waiting wishes. :)

Corey Schwartz said...

Oh, yeah, I loved Katie's post. I never really thought of it as something to enjoy before. But it's great, if you can manage to maintain that attitude.

Krispy said...

Will definitely check out that post. You must be so antsy! :) Will keep my fingers crossed for you!

Andrea Mack said...

Yeah, there's so much waiting...but it's exciting to think about what might be at the end of the wait! Good luck!

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