Hey everyone,
You know how you sometimes feel confident in the moment and share something that most people would have kept quiet, and then, a few hours later, you’re filled with deep shame, regret, and a desire to take it back?
I feel that way all the time when I write these newsletters.
And I’m going to tell you something that, once I’ve sent out, will make me head straight for the wine bottle.
It’s been 28 full days since my novel went on submission.
We sent it to 30 editors.
Many were excited to read it.
We’ve had four rejections.
One of these editors rejected my first novel as well.
I cried all day yesterday.
I am convinced that this book, too, will not sell and you will all know what a fraud I truly am. And a shitty writer, too.
I’m obviously more distraught about the book never selling and my career tanking spectacularly, but it doesn’t help that you’re all so fickle and will turn on me as soon as it happens.
Thanks very much, friends!
Welcome to my head.
I know how easy it is to turn it around as well.
It’s only been 28 days.
7 editors emailed specifically to say they loved the concept and were excited to read.
26 editors are still in the game.
If this book doesn’t sell right now, we’ll take it to the UK market. Or India! Or Canada! Or Australia! Etc.
I also have a third novel almost ready. I have a nonfiction book going out next month. And another that I’ve just started writing.
I’m not a fraud because I tell you the truth– good and bad (sane and er, not so much).
One book doesn’t tank a career.
You are here because you like that I share not just the successes, but the doubt and the setbacks as well.
Many of you will recognize this craziness from your own book submission journeys.
Many of you will think of this when your own book goes out on submission one day (or when you start submitting to agents), and you will come back and read it again, and you will know that you’re not alone, that everyone feels like this, that this is a hard gig, and that no matter how it turns out, this is part of the process.
And for that reason, and for that reason alone, I am sending this out, even if it makes me uncomfortable to share just how full of nerves I am in this current moment.
Hopefully, one day soon I’ll come bearing good news. In the meantime, I wait. And wait. And wait.
Thanks for being here, friends.
See you again tomorrow.
Cheers,
Natasha