Agent Queries

This is the part of being an author that I hate. Trying to actually market myself.

It's part of the job - both before you get an agent/published, because you have to GET there, and after, because you still need to sell the books. (though the after I only know about through story and legend).

It's hard. It's a constant rejection-mill, with even the best product being turned down routinely. It's depressing, because no matter how much you try to tell yourself that you are not your story, the gut never listens. There's something misery-inducing about being told "no" over and over when all you want is one little yes. Or even a maybe.

But it's the job. And when that's the job, you have to do it. There is no publication without going through this route - at least, not publication that gets you on the shelves at bookstores. Sure, I could self-publish, and I have with my websites. But it's not the same thing. It doesn't get me on the shelves, it doesn't get my name out there, and it doesn't get me paid. And most of all, it doesn't get me READ.

I want readers. I long for readers. I want people to share my stories with, people to wait at libraries and bookstores and watch to see when the next book comes out. I want to feel like I'm doing all this work for people that are on the other end, not just for myself.

Because a story isn't done until it's read. And an author isn't quite complete until she's validated with the proof that all her work is for something.

There's no way to get it done but one step, one letter at a time. And it's always possible that there's a reason I keep getting rejected. My words may simply not be good enough.

But that's a lousy answer, so I deny it. I'm good enough. And someday, I'll prove it.

In the meantime? Write letter, mail. Repeat. Chop wood, carry water.