These past few weeks since the ACFW conference have proven to exemplify the roller coaster ride of a writer.
After meeting several agents at the conference and knowing I was on the 'short list' for one of them, I returned excited about my prospects. Yet nothing further has developed.
My editor appointment left me anticipating further communication, yet after sending in the requested partial, I haven't received any further correspondence.
I did, however, receive a rejection of my Mountie story from an editor at Love Inspired. It was a 'good' rejection because it detailed several aspects of the story the editor found lacking. And she said my writing was "polished and professional". So yes, it was a good rejection. It ripped a strip from my heart, but still, a good rejection overall.
Back in August I'd sent out requests to 5 authors I highly respected with the object of possible endorsement for Emma's Outlaw. And today, one of those authors said she "thoroughly enjoyed Emma's Outlaw" and agreed to let her name stand as an endorser.
Yay!
Now my cheeks are hurting from all the grinning.
Just knowing that someone I admire and respect for their writing ability enjoyed my story is enough encouragement to keep me fueled for a very long time.
I'll need it through November as I work on revisions to the Mountie story - not only to bring it up to the 90k industry standard, but to improve those things the Love Inspired editor thought it lacked.
And when I'm not working on that, I'll be writing a historical western anthology with 3 other writers, none of whom I've met before, and 2 of them already published. Their invitation to join them in this anthology is another encouragement on my long road to publication.
Welcome November! A month of hard work for writers everywhere who sacrifice so many things for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Without a complete book to write, I won't be participating this year, but I will be revising my Mountie story during Week 1 of the Faith, Hope and Love (FHL) Book in a Week (BIAW) challenge which starts tomorrow morning.
After meeting several agents at the conference and knowing I was on the 'short list' for one of them, I returned excited about my prospects. Yet nothing further has developed.
My editor appointment left me anticipating further communication, yet after sending in the requested partial, I haven't received any further correspondence.
I did, however, receive a rejection of my Mountie story from an editor at Love Inspired. It was a 'good' rejection because it detailed several aspects of the story the editor found lacking. And she said my writing was "polished and professional". So yes, it was a good rejection. It ripped a strip from my heart, but still, a good rejection overall.
Back in August I'd sent out requests to 5 authors I highly respected with the object of possible endorsement for Emma's Outlaw. And today, one of those authors said she "thoroughly enjoyed Emma's Outlaw" and agreed to let her name stand as an endorser.
Yay!
Now my cheeks are hurting from all the grinning.
Just knowing that someone I admire and respect for their writing ability enjoyed my story is enough encouragement to keep me fueled for a very long time.
I'll need it through November as I work on revisions to the Mountie story - not only to bring it up to the 90k industry standard, but to improve those things the Love Inspired editor thought it lacked.
And when I'm not working on that, I'll be writing a historical western anthology with 3 other writers, none of whom I've met before, and 2 of them already published. Their invitation to join them in this anthology is another encouragement on my long road to publication.
Welcome November! A month of hard work for writers everywhere who sacrifice so many things for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Without a complete book to write, I won't be participating this year, but I will be revising my Mountie story during Week 1 of the Faith, Hope and Love (FHL) Book in a Week (BIAW) challenge which starts tomorrow morning.
