Submitting a Manuscript

I've just received my first rejection letter from a literary agent. It's liberating. Rejection isn't as bad as one might expect. Admittedly it was a very nice letter saying that as a small agency they take on very few of the many writers who approach them each year and, having reviewed my work, feel they are unable to effectively represent me.

Now that is a gentle fob off and it's clearly a standard response but they didn't laugh at me. Some young intern didn't shoot off a cynical, sarcastic missive suggesting I don't give up the day job just yet. For that I thank them.

The downside to this is having followed all the advice from my adult education class, as well as other blogs, I only submitted my manuscript to one agent.  I waited 9 weeks for their response.  Combining this timeframe with  JK Rowling rejection statistics of 18 rejections before finding a publisher it would take me 162 weeks to find an interested party. That is 3.12 years.

I'm not the most patient person in the world but surely that would truly test the commitment and self belief of any author.

The good news is I've since googled 'multiple submissions.' The general rule of thumb is that it is acceptable to make multiple submissions to agents so long as if and when someone does indicate an interest in your work you let the others know.

So go on, get your work out there, give it a go. I truly wish you the best of luck and really hope that soon we have some good news stories to share. 

Run Rage

Get out my clucking way

You can see I’m on a run

Not just strolling in the park

Chasing ducks for fun

As you walk eight abreast

Blocking the entire path

I buzz behind you angrily

While you chat and laugh

It really is quite wonderful

You’re having a lovely time

But one hour is all I have

For this lunch of mine

So when you see a runner

Weaving through the crowd

Please remember to share the path

And do this poem proud