The Next Step

At this small moment in time, I'm feeling a bit discouraged.

Matt and I had a long discussion today which mostly consisted of him trying to convince me to send out my book. It started when I announced to him that I will soon be starting the next one - as it has been on my mind constantly for the last week. He doesn't think that is the best idea because there are other things to concentrate on in my book world.

Like publishing.

Ugg. While I have made the decision to submit to agents first, (considering I even decide to start the whole process)I haven't done much else. I know this process will be tedious, time consuming, and heartbreaking. So forgive me if my attitude isn't so gung ho.

Despite the fact that I've given my book to my mom and two friends, and not one of them has commented back, (Don't worry Aubs, I know you're swamped in a "real life.")tonight I've begun to research the impossible steps to finding a literary agent. My book has a strong Christian angle, so at least my sights are narrowed a bit. But for goodness sake....

Road Block #1.
Most agents and publishers won't even look twice at you if you've never been published before. Well that seems a bit redundant, but seeing that I don't yet rule the world, it will be something I have to find a way around.

Road Block #2.
Most agents who do sign unpublished authors were refereed to them by friends or other clients. This would be fine, except I'm pretty sure Bill Meyer and Orson Scott Card wouldn't give me the time of day. Its too bad I'm not trying to break into the music industry - if so, I could have just called up Gabe from Cobra Starship. Isn't life ironic?

Road Block #3.
In a query letter, agents like to see writing credentials. I.e. contests you've won, short stories you've had published, magazines that have featured your writing. I learned that from a well known auto technical writer. Unfortunately though, he won't be opening up any doors for me in the publishing industry since I have a restraining order on his step son. *rolls eyes* Give me a break.

By the way, the only thing in my name that might constitute as writing credentials is my flimsy associates degree in Creative Writing and the occasional poems and short stories I've had humbly published in their school magazine.

Road Block #4.
It's been advised that one way to "get your name out there" is to start a writing blog. First of all, how do you attract a lot of attention on a blog when you are just like everyone else? No one cares. And Twitter is highly recommended. *shutters.* I loath Twitter. There is only one thing more evil in this world that starts with "TWI" and if you are an avid reader of mine than I need to go no further. I'm sorry, I'm just not that self involved that I feel the need to have my friends updated with texts forty times a day as to what I'm doing and how I deeply sorrowful I am for the families of random dead celebrities. Who am I, Jay Z?


And ya know, I've thought about it, and I really don't want to parade myself around on the internet saying, "Check me out! I'm an 'author.'" From the beginning I've made the decision to keep very quiet about this expedition. I've chosen a pen name because I, personally, don't want to be famous. It would be just too hard to stay humble if too many people liked my work and knew my name. I just want to live a quiet life with my family, and do what I love.

I'm finding out that unobtainable dream may be a lot harder to come by than I thought.