I woke up early--well, relatively early for a guy who was up until two in the morning watching the Battlestar Galactica season 1 boxed set--and got to work preparing and sending out a new batch of submissions for Atimus (my first novel).
This is the first time I've submitted this latest version of Atimus. I spent a few months over the summer finally rewriting the novel based on all of the feedback I've received over the past few years. It's actually a major rewrite where I fixed a lot of the style and structure problems that the 2009 version of me would never have let happen in the first place. 2005 me, meant well, he just had a lot to learn.
Anyway, I sent out seven "queries" (basically short letters asking a literary agent if they would consider looking at my book). Strangely enough, I only had to go to the post office for one of them. Most agencies accept--and in most cases strongly suggest--email submissions now for obvious reasons. Still, there is something very cool and charming about heading down to the post office with a stack of 9x12 manila envelopes under your arm. It's one of those little things that makes all of this feel "real" while you write your stories into the void. I am glad I got to do it once more today.
The other six were email submissions, which means checking my email is going to be a terrifying experience for the next several weeks (I actually have Thunderbird shut down as I write this--I never do that normally). Still, it is incredibly exciting to have something out there again. Scary or not, at least I am doing something.
I really expect these next few months to be the last stand for Atimus. I'll probably get one more batch of submissions together once I hear back from this group (assuming no one decides to sign me, of course). After that, I think the book has made its rounds, as they say. Rewriting the book last summer was a really interesting way to see how I've grown as a writer over the past few years. Sort of like opening a time capsule in some ways. Even though I know I'll write much better (technically and stylistically) novels in the future, I think I'll always feel connected to Atimus because of how I cut my teeth on it. The two of us grew into this writing game together.
Good luck, little novel. Have a fun time in New York and come back with some good news, okay?
Comments