The moment is surreal like a dream and a cruel joke all at once because what started as angst over waiting for a literary agent to respond to your query has suddenly turned into a mountain of anxiety
in waiting to see if your work measures up. You’ve perfected your pitch, nailed the brown-nosing and first pages, but now everything you’ve poured your heart and soul into for the last {insert ungodly amount of time} is under the scope of the gatekeepers. It’s what you always wanted. It’s what you always feared. So…what do you do now?
- Take a breath. You’ve made it past some pretty huge hurdles. Go out and celebrate this accomplishment because it’s a big deal and you deserve it. Statistically, most writers never even finish an entire novel. Bask in the realization that you’ve risen to the task and didn’t give up.
- Keep querying. The eggs-in-one-basket metaphor applies really well here. Rejections on full requests are still likely from a numbers standpoint. The great news is, you know your query is working, so keep casting the net out there. You only need that one agent to make an offer, but it can take a few tries to find them.
- Don’t obsess. Resist the urge to go back into your manuscript and make changes before hearing back from the interested agent. And while you’re at it, try to avoid stalking their Tweets. You’ll drive yourself crazy reading into their #10queries. You’ve chewed all the fingernails you can chew. Just let it rest until the final verdict comes back.
- Follow submission instructions. Just like you did for the initial query, send them exactly what they ask for. Don’t add in your graphics or pitches for other things you’re working on. Just send that full or partial in the right format and stay professional.
- Keep reading. I’d tell you to stop refreshing your inbox like you’ve developed a new tic, but we both know that’s not gonna happen. So, after reading this article, check your email again, and then dive into a new novel or a great classic to take your mind off of your dreams for a day or two. Get lost in a story. Hell, reading is why we write anyway, right?
- Keep writing. Starting a new project might be the very best advice on this list, hands down. Maybe you’ve got a treasure chest full of ideas. Pick one and get it rolling. If you’re feeling weary, take a break or have some fun with short stories or writing prompts through the writing communities online. You may think your last idea was your best one, but experience only makes you better. Might as well make the most of your time off and hone those skills for revisions a legitimate agent WILL ask you to do, eventually.
It’s really easy to become discouraged and play all sorts of scenarios in your head, so don’t hesitate to reach out to fellow writers in our community for support. Most of us are kind-hearted and understanding. We’re all on the same journey, taking on the world through literature, superheroes in disguise. And it’s not been easy. But, you did it. You caught the eye of an agent, and that’s no small task. Give yourself a break and a celebratory plate of carbs and sangria (milk, if you prefer). Keep moving forward. And, never, ever stop.
