Just a note to let you know the status of The Race that Lies Before Us with the editor who has shown interest in it.
The editor who has been reviewing the full manuscript and contacted my agent a few months ago to make sure the book was still available has contacted Terry again. She's had a lot of medical issues going on and said that the reason she hasn't contacted him isn't because she's not interested. Definitely good news!
Another editor has told me she will review a sample of The Race whenever she can get to it, but she's got a lot on her plate right now with trying to get several books available to the public in the next couple of months.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would join me in praying that God would grant these two godly Christian women healing and rest and open up time for them to review The Race.
Showing posts with label editors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label editors. Show all posts
YEAR-END UPDATE
In the last several weeks, I've received both good news and bad news regarding The Race that Lies Before Us.
I heard back from one of the editors I met with at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference back in Sept. Unfortunately, it was a rejection. She did say, however, that she thought it had an intriguing plot. But she didn't think her publishing house was right for me.
On the positive side, I spoken a number of times with the managing editor of a small publishing house. She has shown interest in The Race that Lies Before Us, but wants to make sure it is polished to the point that it's ready for publication. My agent and I think it is at that point, but we're in a wait-and-see pattern to hear her opinion on that.
As I continue to wait, I'm working on my second novel, Disappearing Mom. When I finish that, I will push my critique service a little more, and plan to format the series of Top 10 articles from my blog into an ebook about writing fiction.
I crave any and all of your continued prayers, especially prayers for patience as I wait for God to work out His plan to have this novel published.
I heard back from one of the editors I met with at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference back in Sept. Unfortunately, it was a rejection. She did say, however, that she thought it had an intriguing plot. But she didn't think her publishing house was right for me.
On the positive side, I spoken a number of times with the managing editor of a small publishing house. She has shown interest in The Race that Lies Before Us, but wants to make sure it is polished to the point that it's ready for publication. My agent and I think it is at that point, but we're in a wait-and-see pattern to hear her opinion on that.
As I continue to wait, I'm working on my second novel, Disappearing Mom. When I finish that, I will push my critique service a little more, and plan to format the series of Top 10 articles from my blog into an ebook about writing fiction.
I crave any and all of your continued prayers, especially prayers for patience as I wait for God to work out His plan to have this novel published.
GOOD NEWS FROM THE ACFW CONFERENCE
First of all, I want to sincerely thank all of you for your prayers regarding the conference. I felt them lifting me up and reminding me to turn all of my fears over to the Lord. The conference was overwhelming, although very exciting, and a great blessing (I wrote about this on my blog at: http://suzanne-hartmann2.blogspot.com/2010/09/overwhelming.html if you're interested in the details).
Of the six editors I had an opportunity to speak with, editors from Broadman & Holman and Revell asked for proposals on The Race that Lies Before Us. Two also asked for a proposal on my second book, Disappearing Mom, when I finish my revision. I can't even express what a wonderful feeling it was when their eyes lit up at the descriptions of my books and they leaned forward to listen better! I hope they are equally as interested when they read the first three chapters that are a part of the proposal.
Since I've brought up my second book, I thought I'd give you a blurb on it:
Disappearing Mom (women's fiction)
A series of embarrassing incidents leads Crystal to discover that she can disappear by sinking into the non-entity status often relegated to mothers. She has some humorous adventures as she learns to control her newfound ability, but doesn’t realize how it is transforming her opinion of herself until a near-death experience and the truth from a friend open her eyes to her real worth as a mother.
I know without a doubt that God guided me to the people at the conference who would be interested in by books. There was an issue with one of my editor appointments and I had to reschedule one, but God maneuvered things so that I was able to speak with the editor who was interested in both of my books.
Thank you again for your continued prayers and support.
Of the six editors I had an opportunity to speak with, editors from Broadman & Holman and Revell asked for proposals on The Race that Lies Before Us. Two also asked for a proposal on my second book, Disappearing Mom, when I finish my revision. I can't even express what a wonderful feeling it was when their eyes lit up at the descriptions of my books and they leaned forward to listen better! I hope they are equally as interested when they read the first three chapters that are a part of the proposal.
Since I've brought up my second book, I thought I'd give you a blurb on it:
Disappearing Mom (women's fiction)
A series of embarrassing incidents leads Crystal to discover that she can disappear by sinking into the non-entity status often relegated to mothers. She has some humorous adventures as she learns to control her newfound ability, but doesn’t realize how it is transforming her opinion of herself until a near-death experience and the truth from a friend open her eyes to her real worth as a mother.
I know without a doubt that God guided me to the people at the conference who would be interested in by books. There was an issue with one of my editor appointments and I had to reschedule one, but God maneuvered things so that I was able to speak with the editor who was interested in both of my books.
Thank you again for your continued prayers and support.
PRAYER REQUEST
I will be attending the American Christian Fiction Writers conference this Thursday through Saturday. I am guaranteed 2 appointments with editors from big name Christian publishing houses. Beyond that, I should have opportunities to talk with other editors from both big and small publishing houses at meals, in the hallways, between classes, etc. Talking to people I don't know, just out of the blue, is WAY out of my comfort zone, but opportunities to pitch my book to them are extremely rare, so I truly need to overcome my fears and just do it.
I also have a second book I would like to pitch while I'm at the conference, even though I'm still in the process of revising it. It is women's fiction, called Disappearing Mom, about a woman who, through a series of embarrassing incidents discovers that she can disappear by sinking into the non-entity status often relegated to mothers. She has some humorous adventures as she learns to control her newfound ability, but doesn’t realize how it is transforming her opinion of herself until a near-death experience and the truth from a friend open her eyes to her real worth as a mother.
I am hoping and praying that I will get requests for proposals on both books while I'm at the conference.
I also have a second book I would like to pitch while I'm at the conference, even though I'm still in the process of revising it. It is women's fiction, called Disappearing Mom, about a woman who, through a series of embarrassing incidents discovers that she can disappear by sinking into the non-entity status often relegated to mothers. She has some humorous adventures as she learns to control her newfound ability, but doesn’t realize how it is transforming her opinion of herself until a near-death experience and the truth from a friend open her eyes to her real worth as a mother.
I am hoping and praying that I will get requests for proposals on both books while I'm at the conference.
MORE PROPOSALS GOING OUT
It took a while with the break due to all kinds of "life activities," but the tweaking edit of The Race that Lies Before Us is done. I have returned it to my agent, Terry Burns, along with a slightly revised proposal. He is now targeting places for new submission, so proposals will be out to several more editors soon.
UPDATE: THE RACE THAT LIES BEFORE US
When anyone asks me how things are going with my novel, I usually say, “Nothing new.” But it’s not completely accurate to say that nothing is going on. There is plenty happening behind the scenes:
- The full ms. is sitting on editor’s desk waiting to be read.
- A proposal is waiting on 2 editors’ desks to be evaluated.
- My agent is hard at work planning who to contact and when.
- My agent and I are always looking for information which might indicate that a publishing would be a good match for The Race that Lies Before Us.
- I’m making contacts that could lead to future opportunities to let people know about The Race that Lies Before Us.
- I’m working hard building up my platform so that when The Race that Lies Before Us is published I will be able to help my publisher sell the book.
- My agent and I, plus many friends and family, are praying for God’s leadership in where to send proposals and His guidance of those who read the manuscript and proposals.
Yes, I still feel like I’m in the midst of a tedious waiting game, but I have to remind myself that there are many things going on in the background, even if I can’t see them all. And beyond that, God’s still in control.
- The full ms. is sitting on editor’s desk waiting to be read.
- A proposal is waiting on 2 editors’ desks to be evaluated.
- My agent is hard at work planning who to contact and when.
- My agent and I are always looking for information which might indicate that a publishing would be a good match for The Race that Lies Before Us.
- I’m making contacts that could lead to future opportunities to let people know about The Race that Lies Before Us.
- I’m working hard building up my platform so that when The Race that Lies Before Us is published I will be able to help my publisher sell the book.
- My agent and I, plus many friends and family, are praying for God’s leadership in where to send proposals and His guidance of those who read the manuscript and proposals.
Yes, I still feel like I’m in the midst of a tedious waiting game, but I have to remind myself that there are many things going on in the background, even if I can’t see them all. And beyond that, God’s still in control.
FIRST REJECTION FROM AN EDITOR
Last week, I received a forwarded message from my agent. It was a rejection letter from one of the publishing houses he’d sent a proposal for The Race that Lies Before Us. While I would love for every response to be a request for the full manuscript, I have to admit that I’m pleased with this response.
Before you decide that I’m headed for the loony bin, let me explain. In this rejection letter, the editor stated specifically why my book was being turned down—and it had nothing to do with the quality of my writing. While querying agents, the vast majority of responses I received were form rejection letters, so this rejection with an explanation was a nice change of pace.
Before you decide that I’m headed for the loony bin, let me explain. In this rejection letter, the editor stated specifically why my book was being turned down—and it had nothing to do with the quality of my writing. While querying agents, the vast majority of responses I received were form rejection letters, so this rejection with an explanation was a nice change of pace.
A PUBLISHER REQUESTED THE FULL MANUSCRIPT
It's only been a few days since my agent sent out a few more proposals for The Race that Lies Before Us, and he's already received a request for the full manuscript! Of course, we're well into the Christmas season and editors are trying to clean off their desks, but the editor said she would be starting to read newly requested manuscripts after the first of the year.
While there is no guarantee that the editor will actually offer me a contract, I am celebrating the fact she liked what she saw. Writing is such a solitary journey, with so many rejections along the way, that it's worth celebrating any affirmation.
While there is no guarantee that the editor will actually offer me a contract, I am celebrating the fact she liked what she saw. Writing is such a solitary journey, with so many rejections along the way, that it's worth celebrating any affirmation.
PROPOSALS GO OUT TO PUBLISHERS
In the last couple of months, my agent has sent proposals for The Race that Lies Before Us to four publishing houses, three Christian and one secular. I'm still very much playing the waiting game, as the average response time is three to four months. Still, it's exciting to see things move forward.
I have been so impressed with my agent's knowledge about each publishing house and the individual editors who work at each. He knows right off the top of his head which publishing houses are acquiring fiction at the moment and which aren't, which ones are willing to accept work from new authors and which ones won't, and which ones might be a good fit for my book and which ones wouldn't. Not only that, but he keeps in editors' good graces (among other ways) by keeping track of how many submissions he has with each so he doesn't overwhelm them with submissions from his clients.
I have been so impressed with my agent's knowledge about each publishing house and the individual editors who work at each. He knows right off the top of his head which publishing houses are acquiring fiction at the moment and which aren't, which ones are willing to accept work from new authors and which ones won't, and which ones might be a good fit for my book and which ones wouldn't. Not only that, but he keeps in editors' good graces (among other ways) by keeping track of how many submissions he has with each so he doesn't overwhelm them with submissions from his clients.
NEWS
Several days ago I received a response from the agent I submitted my revised first three chapters to. They requested the full manuscript! Maybe it's silly for me to be so excited when there's no guarantee that the agent will offer me a contract, but I can't help it. This is definitely progress.
I am also still waiting to hear back from the small publishing house which has been reviewing my full manuscript. I am taking the attitude that no news is good news--at least they haven't sent a rejection.
I can't wait to see which way God leads me. Either way (or whatever He has planned) will be exciting.
I am also still waiting to hear back from the small publishing house which has been reviewing my full manuscript. I am taking the attitude that no news is good news--at least they haven't sent a rejection.
I can't wait to see which way God leads me. Either way (or whatever He has planned) will be exciting.
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