I realized recently that I've kept my submission(s) for publication under the wraps. Maybe that sounds like I'm not submitting anything, too busy refining novels that have been refined to death and pouring new, horribly cliche ideas onto paper.
But I am submitting. I'm just more reluctant to tell people about it.
When I first got "serious" about being published, I told all my friends, relatives, coworkers and strangers on the street that I had this story out to that editor and queries out to those agents. I was so psyched just to be submitting, that I didn't really care (or consider) that my submissions might not be well-received. So when a few of them (okay, most of them) weren't, I was stuck with explaining the result to the people who were just dying to know when my story would be published. Can you say,
awkward?
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| I'll take a dozen, please! |
So, I've learned to keep it to myself. Not because I'm ashamed of submitting, or even worried it won't be accepted (there's a 50/50 chance), but I just don't want to have any more awkward conversations. Also, it's easier to deal with rejection when no one else knows you've failed (except, maybe, your spouse because your demands for chocolate therapy have exceeded their normal amounts). Also, there's some part of me that wants to keep my struggles getting published private for now. Because I haven't really "made it" yet, so all my failures are far outweighing my successes. One day, I look forward to making that "I've finally done it" speech, but for now, I'm just keeping my mouth shut.
What about you? Do you let everyone know you're trying to get published or keep it under wraps? Please, share!
I probably won't tell very many people when I start submitting. My family, some of my closer friends, and our forum group, but not likely to anyone else.
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate rose, though, looks yummy.
I am totally the exact same way! I like to keep things private until I need to share for the exact reasons you've stated.
ReplyDelete