Read books by AWers!

Welcome to the AbsoluteWrite Water Cooler! Please read The Newbie Guide To Absolute Write

editing for authors ad

A publisher or agency using Google ads to solicit your novel probably isn't anyone you want to write for.


Go Back   Absolute Write Water Cooler > Discussion > AW Roundtable
Reload this Page Ode to Anxiety: I've gotten an agent and now I'm REALLY freaking out
Register FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-13-2008, 08:04 AM   #1
Morrigan
practical experience, FTW
 
Morrigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Shreveport LA
Posts: 42
Morrigan is well-respected
Ode to Anxiety: I've gotten an agent and now I'm REALLY freaking out
I've totally blundered into the world of writing and I've been incredibly lucky and ridiculously neurotic about working my brain to the medulla oblongata. Anyway, I've gotten an agent, the book is "out" to publishers and I'm at the stage where I am supposed to wait patiently to see if anyone buys. HA!!! If I thought I was anxiety ridden and CRAZY before I've now entered the realms of the proverbial bat poop. Seriously, I'm wigging. I just wondered if there were other people out there who could share with me their stories of the "after the agent" period when they're supposed to be writing their sequels but are actually spending most of their time PALPITATING. I am taking fish oil because I think I'm one missed phone call away from a serious coronary.

And I write uber-commercial comic urban fantasy with a strong romantic element. That is, I write them until I DIE OF ANXIETY.
Morrigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 09:55 AM   #2
Danalynn
NEVER give up!!!!
 
Danalynn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Troy, Ohio
Posts: 806
Danalynn is a shiny, shiny jewelDanalynn is a shiny, shiny jewel
Talking
All I can say to this is I SO WISH I was having the same problem!


(at least the part about having an agent and waiting for a publisher to buy my novel, anyway . . . you can totally keep the anxiety part. tee hee)







WELCOME to AW, by the way!



You've just joined THE bestest website in the entire universe!
__________________

* That's a point well put, and a timely suggestion that we'll bring up at the very
next board meeting a week from Tuesday . . . I don't know why, it's just policy *

Last edited by Danalynn; 10-13-2008 at 09:57 AM.
Danalynn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 08:47 PM   #3
Morrigan
practical experience, FTW
 
Morrigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Shreveport LA
Posts: 42
Morrigan is well-respected
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dana-Lynn View Post
All I can say to this is I SO WISH I was having the same problem!


(at least the part about having an agent and waiting for a publisher to buy my novel, anyway . . . you can totally keep the anxiety part. tee hee)







WELCOME to AW, by the way!



You've just joined THE bestest website in the entire universe!
Thank you so much! I appreciate the welcome. I am really, really glad I joined. I know very few writers and, as I've said, this is all very new to me so it's so nice to talk to people who have been through/are going through the same things. I think it's going to be really helpful.
Morrigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 10:08 AM   #4
Karen Duvall
Chalice the Hatchet Knight
 
Karen Duvall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 1,999
Karen Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsKaren Duvall is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
I share your grief. I, too, write urban fantasy and got my agent in May. It took a couple of months to work through revisions, then she started submitting my manuscript to publishers in September. So far we've had one rejection, the others are still reading, and according to her they're "enthusiastic." But it seems like it's taking forever! Gah! But I'm focusing on my WIP because I know publishing is sloooooow to make decisions. Still, I'm craving news, but all I'm hearing are crickets. So I completely sympathize with what you're going through.

We're not the only ones in wait mode. Join the rest of us in purgatory as we wait for word of one kind or another. Some are still querying, some are like us waiting for our agents to give us news of a bidding war (ha!), and some just got their first publishing contracts and are dealing with revisions. We're quite a bunch, but we keep each other company and lend each other support. I think you'll like it there.
__________________
Karen Duvall
Blog
Website
 Twitter
Facebook

*******************************

KNIGHT'S CURSE -- A Publisher's Weekly Top 10 Pick for Fall 2011 (Harlequin Luna)
DARKEST KNIGHT -- Sequel to KNIGHT'S CURSE released March 2012 (Harlequin Luna)
SUN STORM -- Novella in Harlequin's TIL THE WORLD ENDS Anthology
Karen Duvall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 10:47 AM   #5
Darzian
To-to-to-ron-to
 
Darzian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,067
Darzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
If not for AW, I doubt I'd be writing right now.

This site is hugely helpful, and good luck with your submissions! At least you have an agent! Be sure to let us know on updates.

(Hmmm...I think I'd best stop welcoming people in the newbie forum. I've just realized that my avatar (who is also called 'avatar' btw) may be a potential turn off to any happy welcoming message I write....)
__________________
AW Newbie Welcome Video
Darzian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 05:45 PM   #6
Bartholomew
我的身分還是秘密.
 
Bartholomew's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 神出鬼没像那暗夜的噩夢.
Posts: 8,292
Bartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsBartholomew is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darzian View Post
If not for AW, I doubt I'd be writing right now.

This site is hugely helpful, and good luck with your submissions! At least you have an agent! Be sure to let us know on updates.

(Hmmm...I think I'd best stop welcoming people in the newbie forum. I've just realized that my avatar (who is also called 'avatar' btw) may be a potential turn off to any happy welcoming message I write....)
Why? Everyone loves the Avatar. Except the fire nation. (Boo! Fire nation!)
Bartholomew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 06:14 PM   #7
Darzian
To-to-to-ron-to
 
Darzian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,067
Darzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsDarzian is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Lol, Everyone seems to be watching avatar these days.

I'm generally very very very very very impatient. The querying stage is just going to kill me. I'm sure of it.
__________________
AW Newbie Welcome Video
Darzian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 06:59 PM   #8
Deccydiva
Back from the dead
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 2,198
Deccydiva has earned our admirationDeccydiva has earned our admirationDeccydiva has earned our admirationDeccydiva has earned our admiration
Be grateful, many of us are not that far advanced yet! Some of us may never get an Agent, are living below the poverty line and have far more basic things to worry about. Like eating and staying warm...
to all in that situation...
__________________

Still Lurking
Deccydiva is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 08:52 PM   #9
Morrigan
practical experience, FTW
 
Morrigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Shreveport LA
Posts: 42
Morrigan is well-respected
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darzian View Post
If not for AW, I doubt I'd be writing right now.

This site is hugely helpful, and good luck with your submissions! At least you have an agent! Be sure to let us know on updates.

(Hmmm...I think I'd best stop welcoming people in the newbie forum. I've just realized that my avatar (who is also called 'avatar' btw) may be a potential turn off to any happy welcoming message I write....)
Thanks! And avatar rocks. No worries. :-)
Morrigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 08:51 PM   #10
Morrigan
practical experience, FTW
 
Morrigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Shreveport LA
Posts: 42
Morrigan is well-respected
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen Duvall View Post
I share your grief. I, too, write urban fantasy and got my agent in May. It took a couple of months to work through revisions, then she started submitting my manuscript to publishers in September. So far we've had one rejection, the others are still reading, and according to her they're "enthusiastic." But it seems like it's taking forever! Gah! But I'm focusing on my WIP because I know publishing is sloooooow to make decisions. Still, I'm craving news, but all I'm hearing are crickets. So I completely sympathize with what you're going through.

We're not the only ones in wait mode. Join the rest of us in purgatory as we wait for word of one kind or another. Some are still querying, some are like us waiting for our agents to give us news of a bidding war (ha!), and some just got their first publishing contracts and are dealing with revisions. We're quite a bunch, but we keep each other company and lend each other support. I think you'll like it there.
On my way to purgatory now! That sounds perfect. Thanks so much for the tip. We sound like we're in very similar situations with dates and everything. I, too, am slogging away at my sequel and it keeps me sane. Barely. :-) I'll see you in pugatory?
Morrigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 07:22 PM   #11
Ray Veen
MECHANIZED
 
Ray Veen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 63
Ray Veen is on a distinguished road
Can I ask how you "blundered" into the world of writing? And in what way you've been "extraordinarily lucky"?

Sounds like a wild story.
__________________
Ray Veen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 08:57 PM   #12
Morrigan
practical experience, FTW
 
Morrigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Shreveport LA
Posts: 42
Morrigan is well-respected
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Veen View Post
Can I ask how you "blundered" into the world of writing? And in what way you've been "extraordinarily lucky"?

Sounds like a wild story.
It's not too exciting, really. It involves waiting for my PhD defense, too much time on my hands, and a lot of weird little events that all happened at the right time in my life. :-) And I do feel lucky, but I've also worked my keister to get everything done. Anyway, thanks for the welcome, I'm really excited about this site. :-)
Morrigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 09:09 PM   #13
Cybernaught
Decker
 
Cybernaught's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,255
Cybernaught has earned our admirationCybernaught has earned our admirationCybernaught has earned our admirationCybernaught has earned our admiration
Give me your problem, please. Hell, give me a finished manuscript that I'm satisfied with.
__________________
The Degenerate

New Fiction - Fool Me Once

"The appropriate response to reality is to go insane" - Philip K Dick
Cybernaught is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2008, 09:13 PM   #14
Morrigan
practical experience, FTW
 
Morrigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Shreveport LA
Posts: 42
Morrigan is well-respected
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cybernaught View Post
Give me your problem, please. Hell, give me a finished manuscript that I'm satisfied with.
Are we ever entirely happy with our manuscripts? :-) I think the day I'm "finished" with a manuscript is the day they close the lid on my coffin.
Morrigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2008, 12:42 AM   #15
Cybernaught
Decker
 
Cybernaught's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,255
Cybernaught has earned our admirationCybernaught has earned our admirationCybernaught has earned our admirationCybernaught has earned our admiration
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morrigan View Post
Are we ever entirely happy with our manuscripts? :-) I think the day I'm "finished" with a manuscript is the day they close the lid on my coffin.
Ditto.
__________________
The Degenerate

New Fiction - Fool Me Once

"The appropriate response to reality is to go insane" - Philip K Dick
Cybernaught is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2008, 12:38 AM   #16
stormie
storm central
 
stormie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Still three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean.
Posts: 10,611
stormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsstormie is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Yep. Interesting reaction, isn't it? You'd think once you had an agent you were home free. Uh-uh. Then once you get an editor who likes it, there are other things that happen. How much of an advance, what rewrites do they need, etc, etc. It's like winning the lottery. Sort of. You're ecstactic at first, then reality hits. Where to put the money? How much to spend? Who ARE these relatives I never heard of before?

The key is to just bask in the moment. You have an agent, and that takes a lot of work. You did it! Now go write that next book.
__________________
....
...
..
BlogBlogBlog
stormie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2008, 12:48 AM   #17
Morrigan
practical experience, FTW
 
Morrigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Shreveport LA
Posts: 42
Morrigan is well-respected
MMMMMMM. Advances. . . . *Homer Simpson drool action*

But yes, I've totally started telling people, "I'm anxiety ridden, but if it sells it'll be fine." Then I think about how I'll react (if I get that far) to it getting published and whether or not it sells well, etc.

Thin edge of the wedge opening the floodgates of sheer panic . . . . . . . :-)
Morrigan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2008, 06:41 PM   #18
Phaeal
Whatever I did, I didn't do it.
 
Phaeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 8,332
Phaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPhaeal is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
I'm perpetually in a state of waiting as I always have short stories circulating. Soon I'll be in a state of waiting about my third novel. The only salvation is more work. Fall in love with a new story. If the first one fails, you'll have the new one to fall back on. If the first one succeeds, you'll already be on your way to fulfilling a multi-book contract.
__________________
SUMM0NED (Coming from T0R, 2014) Real magic becomes real trouble when Sean summons the wrong familiar -- the big, toothy one with a taste for the neighbors.



And so it goes...
Phaeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2008, 07:20 PM   #19
Spiny Norman
practical experience, FTW
 
Spiny Norman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 687
Spiny Norman has a spectacular auraSpiny Norman has a spectacular aura
I went through that just recently. You just sit and listen to one little stream of communication through your agent, hearing about what the publishers are thinking, and getting little snippets of useful info from your agent.

Mine was sort of a roller coaster. Random House was really interested, the editor built up a ton of support, and then at the editorial board three very important people felt meh about it. I was crushed. I had had that ball rolling for about a month. The editor in question seriously Got It and even said he was more worried about making an offer that would do justice to the writing than getting an offer at all.

And then, after that failed, my agent went on her scheduled vacation for about three weeks. So I spent three weeks writing the next novel in a flurry, certain that this one was doomed. After all, about eight publishers had passed. I went home and drank about a quart of scotch before having some sense talked into me by the girlfriend (it was the day of her birthday party), so I sobered up and went with her and had a great time.

And then, about a month and a whole new novel later, just as my agent was flying across the atlantic, she called me at work and told me that Orbit books had made an offer and was eager to get this thing published.

In short, it's a goddamn roller coaster ride. Some people are lucky (yours sounds like it will be - mine was urban fantasy with lots of literary elements, so that confused a LOT of the genre folk, but the strong romantic angle will probably seal it), some aren't. You just hang in there and wait. It's like your 401k, if you look at it all the time and worry about it, then the rewards will never seem to come.
Last edited by Spiny Norman; 10-14-2008 at 07:22 PM.
Spiny Norman is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Hybrid Mode Hybrid Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Custom Search

If this site is helpful to you,
Please consider a voluntary subscription to defray ongoing expenses.

Buy Scrivener 2 for Mac OS X (Regular Licence)


All times are GMT +4.5. The time now is 02:32 PM.

Contact Us - Absolute Write - Archive - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.