A Writer's Notebook, Day One-Hundred-And-Sixty-Four

Today was a rather exciting day, as I sent out my first real query.  While I have shown work to a couple of agents already, in both of those cases I had met the agent and spoken to them directly first, and they were making the request based on that interaction.  In some ways, I am really not all that scared that I will find an agent.  I've had two that I've spoken with and they both were very positive about the quality of the work, and seemed certain that I would find an agent who was interested.  It really was more a matter of their own ability to place this book, and not the quality of the work itself, so I feel positive about things.

Now, of course, that is not to say that I am just going to send out a query and be done.  I am in the process of personalizing a second letter to send tomorrow, and I plan to keep going after that, getting them out in the next few days or so.  After that, it is just a matter of waiting and seeing who comes back with what response.  I'll have to see what happens, of course, but I am hoping to have some full manuscript requests at least.

I am likely being naive, thinking that I am going to get more positive responses than I should, but I have to believe in my work.  If I don't, why should anyone else?  I know, realistically, that agents receive a huge number of requests, and that my book is a strange thing coming out of nowhere, but I am aware that many other books started out that way and were pulled out of a slush pile to become bestsellers or even beloved classics.  The point is, while I am optimistic, it isn't impossible, and I feel that I'm actually in a better position than most.  First, because I do have another agents recommendation, but also because I've heard just how many of the queries coming in are not even readable.  Many, I've heard, don't even use a name for the agent.  So, I feel that I am in a good position.

In addition, I'm also working on another poem.  I need to get myself together and start some revising. I think I do need help with the poetry, largely just to keep in control and on the right path.  I am writing a lot, though, which is great.  For now, I am going to call it a night.  I have a crazy week, and I am still exhausted from the festival.

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