Waiting For Rejection

Summary

The author is seeking representation and publication for their new historical fiction book, "Regina of Warsaw," after previous success with their nonfiction work, "Taking Aim At The President," and is currently experiencing the slow process of querying agents and publishers, with a mix of rejections and pending responses.

Abstract

The author has prior experience in publishing, having successfully released "Taking Aim At The President" in 2008, which was later reprinted by Diversion Books. Currently, the author is navigating the challenging process of finding an agent or publisher for their latest work, "Regina of Warsaw," a historical fiction piece. Despite having sent out approximately 50 queries, the author has received about 30 rejections or no responses, while around 10 publishers have shown interest by requesting the full manuscript, and some agents have expressed interest. The author acknowledges the difficulty in transitioning from journalism to writing fiction and emphasizes the importance of hiring skilled editors. The process is slow, with responses potentially taking months, and the author prefers not to self-publish, instead aiming for a hybrid or small publisher. The author remains patient, understanding the volume of submissions agents and publishers receive, and views the waiting period as a step towards eventual acceptance.

Opinions

The author views the process of querying agents and publishers as a long and slow one, with the current experience being part of the journey to publication.
The author has a preference for traditional publishing over self-publishing, with a willingness to consider a hybrid or small publisher if necessary

I have queries out to agents and publishers for my new book.

Photo by Povozniuk for iStock subscription

This is not new to me. Fortunately, I guess. I’ve been down this road before, looking for someone to publish my book.

The first time was in 2008 when I wrote my first book, Taking Aim At The President: The Remarkable Story of the Woman Who Shot at Gerald Ford. I landed a literary agent, and she sold it to Macmillan. Who Whoo, lucky me, eh? Macmillan stopped printing it in 2018, and I republished it myself so it would still be available. However, more good news, Taking Aim is being republished by Diversion Books this spring. It will have a whole new life.

That was then; this is now. I have a new book on the shelf waiting for some love. Taking Aim was creative nonfiction. An easier sell. This new book, Regina of Warsaw, is historical fiction and a much more difficult sell. It was equally as challenging to write. Fiction is not my first language. My professional career was journalism, so I had to learn how to write in a literary fashion all over again. Research is always easiest for me: writing is a vertical learning curve and always a challenge.

However, I know about hiring highly skilled editors to help out. I trust editors more than just readers. I’ve had more luck with editors fixing my many errors.

So, now I have about 50 queries out to agents and publishers, just anyone who will represent or publish this new book. So far, I have about 30 rejections or no answers. I have about ten publishers who have asked to see the full manuscript and another group of agents who claim an interest, but I haven’t heard back yet. It’s a very long, slow process to get professional organizations to read your book. It can take months for agents and publishers to respond if they do at all. I want answers right away, but when you think of the stacks of manuscripts that get submitted every day, I don’t know how these people manage? Think of it: Stacks and stacks of books just waiting to be read.

I have no interest in self-publishing. I’d instead go hybrid, but I will be happy for a small publisher at the end of the day. It’s not my first choice, and it is expensive.

So, I wait, and I’ll keep sending out queries before I feel I’ve exhausted all prospects.

Waiting for rejection is just the next step to acceptance.