You know? From Shrek the Musical!
“The waiting, the waiting, the waiting, the waiting, THE WAITING!”
I wonder if Fiona knew just how slow the publishing industry moves? Could that have been a secondary motive for her tearing up all those books!? I kid.
Since my last blog, a lot has happened…and not much at all. I fairly quickly went on submission with PEPITA by way of Stephanie Fretwell-Hill. It’s now been through two rounds of about six editors each, and as of this writing, remains with only two editors. I suspect a third round is on the horizon.
In July, I participated in another Spotlight Salon through The Verge, which yielded some sobbing with pure joy and relief results. Most notable, I had an editor from Simon and Schuster instantly connect with my Pickle story. That lead to a very welcomed Revise and Resubmit opportunity. I went on to have a Zoom call with them and I quickly got to work on the recommended additions to the manuscript.
That opportunity just happened to fall right within a special one-night getaway I’d planned at The Writing Barn in Austin, Texas. I used my little retreat to work on revisions and other important clerical things, and that time proved extremely fruitful! I also relaxed: I sipped white wine spritzers, snacked on charcuterie, and watched an old movie. ‘Twas lovely.
We’re now edging in on four weeks since I submitted my revisions. I remain hopeful. The way I see it, the Lord brought this incredible opportunity TO me and I never could have imagined such a wonderful thing happening. I keep praying that He is making the way and working things out behind the scenes, just as He always has. I know He is faithful. And as my favorite singer, Ellie Holcomb says, “The only hope I’ve got…It’s You.”
Last weekend, our SCBWI OK/AR gang had a retreat at Sequoya State Park somewhere in eastern Oklahoma, and it was just beautiful there. I had a lovely one-on-one with a professional editor and she helped me through a plot issue I’ve been struggling with in one of my new stories. Very productive!
Finally, this week… Well, it’s been all over the map. Rejection! Rejection! Rejection! Then finally, yesterday, I got a REALLY “good news” email! Hooray! Followed by another yucky rejection today. Blarg. As soon as I can share more about the “good news,” I certainly will!
Now in that same song I mentioned before, Ellie also says: “The good I’ve got is Yours alone.” And, I just have to say… Those words ring true to me now, more than ever before. To God be the GLORY for every good thing that comes my way.
Thank you for sticking by me through this often harrowing, humbling journey.
Featured Image is the IMPRESSIVE bookshelf inside The Writing Barn
My Pilgrimage to Publication and Beyond 