Encouragement. Part 2.

Attention, readers! I’m putting new blog rules into place. 

One of the things I talked about in my last post was about how giving up isn’t an option–and a piece of advice I’ve heard often is that in this industry, persistence tends to win out.

Therefore, we persist. 

What better way to do that than to follow up a more discouraging post with a post that hypes me back up? Starting now, any time I have to write a new part of the “Rejection” series, the next post will be one of encouragement. 

After writing last week’s post, I began to really think about my submission package (aka my query letter and opening chapters). Without getting many agent nibbles, and almost solely form rejections, it’s hard to know what’s not working for them.

Is it the query? Is it Chapter 1? Are both of those things actually fine, and I just haven’t found the right literary agent to champion my project? 

The solution for each problem is different, so you see my dilemma. 

However, as I was wondering if I needed to look for a few resources to help me figure those things out, two things happened and resources sort of landed in my lap.

The first was that I found another contest on Twitter, and I wasn’t looking for one. I was just scrolling and happened across it. This time, the contest was specifically targeted toward getting an editor’s feedback on your query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript. For this contest, 120 submission packages are randomly chosen, and twelve editors will provide feedback for ten queries each. I think that of the ten queries the editor reviews, they will also pick a winning query!

Naturally, I entered it.

I’m not really sure what having the winning query does (other than just bragging rights), but I mostly just wanted an opportunity for feedback. 

And… drumroll please….

I was selected to be one of the 120 queries to get reviewed! The editors need time to review and write up feedback, but I should know more in a couple of weeks. 

The second thing that happened was that one of my writing conference friends reached out and asked me to look over part of the novel he’s querying. He also mentioned that he was willing to read anything of mine if I needed feedback. The timing was perfect! Because yes, yes I do. 

When things like this happen, it really helps confirm that this is the path I’m supposed to be on. I know in my heart that this is what I’m supposed to be doing, and even though weeks like last week are tough and the constant rejections sting, I’m bouncing back with more determination.

Now, like with most things in publishing, we wait.