Sent out a couple of queries to At the Foot of the Throne to agents today.
I always feel a little anxious when I send these things out, though mostly not. I’ve a fine collection of rejection slips, so it’s not a huge deal to me.
People say you need a thick skin to break into writing. I don’t necessarily know that’s so in the early stages. A pre-printed rejection form doesn’t have the zing, I think, that a detailed analysis of why you suck would. While a novice in the industry, I know the detailed analysis means you’re getting close, so I’m not so sure that would get to me all that much!
I often wonder how I’ll deal with the “yes”. I mean, the rejection forms? I’ve gotten plenty. But critics? That, I’ve never dealt with — or at least not much. Wearing my other hat as a polyamory activist, and writing a weekly column, I do get people who disagree with my stuff all the time. I cheer that, to be honest. It means people are reading it, thinking about it and reacting. I mean, sure, I get the occasional feedback that makes me grind my teeth a little.
How’s that gonna be with a published book? No idea. I’m often curious how the pros react. <grin>