The Submission Process

Journal Entry 8

April 5, 2025. Today, I sent out my first batch of query letters to literary agents. It’s a nerve-wracking step, putting my work out into the world and waiting for a response. Each email felt like a leap of faith, a hope that someone will see the potential in my story.

The process of writing a query letter was a challenge in itself. How do you distill months of writing and revision into a few concise paragraphs? I had to dig deep to find the essence of my novel and present it in a way that would capture an agent's interest.

Now, as I wait for replies, I find myself oscillating between excitement and anxiety. What if no one likes it? What if all I receive are rejections? But I know that rejection is part of the journey. Every successful author has faced it, and it’s a sign that I’m pushing forward, taking risks.

This phase is teaching me about resilience and the importance of perseverance. It’s easy to let doubt creep in, to second-guess my decision to query. But I believe in my story, and I have to trust that someone else will too.

For now, I’m focusing on the positives. I’ve come this far, and that’s something to be proud of. Whether the responses are favorable or not, I’m ready to learn from this experience and keep moving forward.