As a children’s writer, I’ve definitely had to become a more patient person. As we all know, this industry is not for speed demons!
Still, a couple of weeks ago, when I opened my mailbox, I was surprised to see a reply postcard. Since I haven’t sent out my own submissions in more than two years, I haven’t sent any reply postcards. What the…?
Turns out, the reply postcard was for a manuscript I sent out on May 24, 2006. Yes, 2006. And the reply postcard was postmarked February 4, 2009. So, I waited a mere 2-1/2 years to get a postcard back that simply had an X by "No, your manuscript does not meet our needs."
And the worst thing of all? I had sent this manuscript to an editor I had worked with before, on one of my first books. I enjoyed our working process, and thought she did, too. She had moved to a new, smaller press, and I had a manuscript I thought might fit there, so I sent her the project with a personal note and got back–well, nothing, for 2-1/2 years.
I tell ya, I just had to shake my head. It’s a strange, sometimes confounding industry that we’re part of. Thank goodness the good outweighs the bad!
P.S. I’m in Albert Lea, MN, for two days of school visits this week. Wish me luck! (And given that there’s a forecast of 6" of snow tonight/tomorrow, I could end up stranded an extra night here–but I’m sure I could put it to good writing use.)