When I first started on my path to publication, in my ignorance, I thought the road would be a fairly straight one. Like all new writers I presumed one simply sits, one writes, one submits, and one gets published. The reality couldn't be farther from the truth. Yes, I sit and write...and rewrite...and rewrite...and rewrite again until my stories are as good as I can make them. The road is more curvy than straight. The submitting part of the process is extremely complicated to me because there are so many factors involved in the decision making. And with so many ways to publish these days and the general upheaval within the children's picture book side of industry...which just happens to be MY genre...the chances of becoming a published author are getting more challenging every day.
So why should I even bother to try? For me, it is as simple as breathing. I write because I must. Even with all the twists and turns in the road that come with writing professionally, I am driven to do this thing I love beyond compare and it's days like today that make it worthwhile. Last week I entered into my very first pitch contest on an author's blog. It was my chance to maybe win the right to directly submit one of my stories to an agent who actually wanted to SEE it. I wouldn't be going in blind. Over 140 contestants later, I discover I am one of the winners...but there is a catch...
I realize I have make a novice writer's mistake. I THOUGHT the agent was looking for a story idea query and what they REALLY wanted was the complete story. I thought I had reached a dead end. I thought I had royally screwed up! But apparently a strong pitch is still a strong pitch and once the error was explained to the agent, she still was interested in seeing my novel once it is complete. How gracious of her to overlook the ignorance of a beginner writer. So now I focus even harder to navigate the bumps on the road to publication as I travel a sometimes crooked path to my goal of becoming a published author.
There was another lesson I learned today. Agents and publishers don't really want to see potential future books sitting on someone's blog as installments or read synopsis of works in progress on someone's website. It's like opening a new candy store and giving away the goods for free. It's just not smart business. As much as I am saddened with my having to remove all reference to my stories or poems from my blog and website, I understand and respect the advice of those who are looking out for my best interest. And I hope my friends and readers will know that I have enjoyed providing a sneak peak into some of the worlds of my imagination. Now we just have to wait to read the actual published book. I would caution others to also think twice before posting something they hope one day will be seen in print. It might make the difference between an acceptance letter and something else.
Now it's back to the land of Lunadar as I realize the final lesson I learned today...
