Let the Manuscripts Sing

One of the most nerve-racking, daunting, intimidating, SCARY parts of this whole writing/trying to get published thing for me is the thought of my manuscript (all that hard work, countless hours of writing, revising, cutting, rewriting, tweaking, revising, shifting, rewriting, and more revising), sitting there on the top of an editor’s giant slush pile stack of manuscripts, waiting to be read.  And then, the assistant—not even the editor—opens it.  Skims his eyes over the first two lines.  Scrunches his face in thought for a second.  Two seconds.  Three.  And then tosses my manuscript into another equally giant “rejection” pile to be returned with a form letter saying “Thanks, but no thanks”. 

I’m not trying to be a pessimist!  Not at all!  I just know that this is the reality for so many manuscripts that are sent out, whether they are great or if they are in dire need for improvement. 

BUT, I can’t think about that right now, as I seal my eighth envelope containing my cover letter, full picture book manuscript, and my SASE which I hope will come back to me containing some great news.  So, with hope and excitement, I send off two picture book manuscripts, and several poetry manuscripts, to a handful of publishing houses, hoping that my work will sing loudly and beautifully as someone—whether assistant, editor, chief editor, or whoever it may concern—reads my words, and allows my words to touch their hearts.

Off go the manuscripts, and now, comes the waiting.  And waiting.  And waiting.  Oh, the process of publishing.  But that’s okay, because as I wait, that gives me ample time to begin working on more work, more poetry, more stories, and more manuscripts. 

Good luck Manuscripts!  I wish you the best!