Jitters...
The agent whom I queried wrote in her blog today that she finished reading all the partials she received in the last couple of weeks. What does that mean, you ask? It means that in a matter of days I should be receiving either a rejection or a request for a full manuscript. But I'm not feeling too confident.
After I sent off the query letter that subsequently earned a request for a partial my hopes were pretty darn high. Looking back, I think it was due to the fact that it really was a good query. It was written exactly to the agent's liking (lots of agent research helped in that department) and was given the stamp of approval from Ed Schubert--a friend and editor of Orson Scott Card's speculative fiction magazine.
But when I read over the first thirty pages of my novel--the pages that are probably now collecting coffee stains on the agent's desk--my gag reflex shot into hyper drive. I don't know what it is exactly, but I have a real problem liking my stuff once the ink has dried. I think many writers face this dilemma. And it's not false modesty either--I really do believe it sucks.
So my hopes aren't high. Especially considering the 1 in 200 shot that a full manuscript will be requested. The shadow of the hammer is creeping closer. And I'm trying my hardest to focus on other things so I can move on with little injury.
After I sent off the query letter that subsequently earned a request for a partial my hopes were pretty darn high. Looking back, I think it was due to the fact that it really was a good query. It was written exactly to the agent's liking (lots of agent research helped in that department) and was given the stamp of approval from Ed Schubert--a friend and editor of Orson Scott Card's speculative fiction magazine.
But when I read over the first thirty pages of my novel--the pages that are probably now collecting coffee stains on the agent's desk--my gag reflex shot into hyper drive. I don't know what it is exactly, but I have a real problem liking my stuff once the ink has dried. I think many writers face this dilemma. And it's not false modesty either--I really do believe it sucks.
So my hopes aren't high. Especially considering the 1 in 200 shot that a full manuscript will be requested. The shadow of the hammer is creeping closer. And I'm trying my hardest to focus on other things so I can move on with little injury.
posted by Grant-Will-Rant at
7:43 PM
2 Comments:
You're absolutely right. The story that Ed/OSC bought for that magazine is headed for publication in August, and believe me, I recently opened the file to take a look at it and hated almost every word. I am a talentless hack. I am the anti-talent sent here by Satan to devour the world's ability, goodness, and eloquence.
Also, it isn't as bad as you think (that's what people tell me, anyway), and even if this agent does pass on it, there are a million others out there that might not. (I know, I know, you really wanted THIS agent.. but deal with it!)
Here's wishing you the best of luck. Keep us updated.
By
Oliver Dale, at 6:59 PM, June 29, 2006
Thanks for the encouraging words! And for those who didn't know, Ollie sold a story to OSC's magazine (link in the post). You can read the entire magazine in August for a well-spent $2.99.
By
Grant-Will-Rant, at 8:38 PM, June 29, 2006
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