Sixty-three days and counting. Crunch time.
I always swore I would never let querying get to me. Up until the last few weeks, I’d approached it with a grain of salt. Oh, yes, I gave it my all, but even after getting requests at a conference from a great agent and the YA editor from HarperCollins, I still approached the whole process emotionally void. I mean, you have to, right?
I have to admit, I am no longer emotionally void.
Two publishers that I’ve been trying to get into since, like, EVER are both reading my novel.
An acceptance from either would make me deliriously happy.
It’s dumb, but I feel like this is it… do or die. If neither of them takes it, what else is there?
Yes, I know there are tons of options, and I should still be sending my manuscript out to others. After all, there are hundreds of really great small houses out there, right?
But at the moment, I can’t. I’m just frozen. Like time has stopped.
I am now at the two week mark with one publisher and 63 days with the other. Everyone tells me the “63 day” publisher rejects fast, but reads long. They should have gotten back to me at 60 days.
That’s good. I need to believe that’d good.
I have to believe that my novel is standing for itself… That it’s good enough… That someone at the publisher loves it as much as I do.
But what now?
Do they have to convince someone else? Are there other editors with books they love, and they are all lobbying for their favorite to fit into a pre-determined schedule?
I said it once (maybe twice) and I’ll say it again.
This just doesn’t get any easier.
Jennifer M Eaton 
I know how it is, but I hope you’ll get good news soon. I’m pulling for you!
Thanks Deby!
Sometimes we just have to stop. And let the feels, feel … then get out of bed and write something else! 😀
Working hard on my new WIP. A Paranormal Murder Mystery. Woohoo!
You genre-bender, you! … Bwhahahaha
🙂
Always believe the best is my motto. Until they say “no thanks” it is likely they are thinking “We want this.” I would be over the moon if my manuscript had been requested and was being read. But I see how the tension doesn’t end there – until it is sold.
I wonder if this ever gets better once you’re an established author?
I think you’d have to be pretty conceited to think everyone will like everything you write. I think part of me will always be anxious.
When I have trouble liking what I write, I wonder why anyone else would read it. I’m sorry for your anxiety, but ever so thankful for your humility and willingness to share you journey with the rest of us.
It’s cheap psycho-therapy. Ha!
I feel for you, Jennifer.
It must be good. 🙂 It w.i.l.l. be good.
I feel really good about it.
🙂 🙂 🙂
I can only imagine what an exciting (but also stressful and time-freezing!) experience this must be! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Thanks! I appreciate it!
Ooo, so exciting! And maddening. And stressful. Lol.
Well congrats and good luck, I’m sending positive thoughts your way. 🙂
Thanks! I’ll take it!
Jennifer! That’s wonderful news and I suppose you’re fed up hearing that it’s a good problem to have, but still 🙂 Fingers, toes and everything I’ve got are crossed for you.
No, I know it’s a good problem to have. It’s just stressful…the wondering.
Oh, it does sound like hell – and I can understand your reluctance to do anything else. Yes, your sensible rational mind tells you that you should be doing something else, but sometimes our ‘elephant’ just doesn’t want to budge. Fingers crossed!
Thanks!