An R&R You Say?

It started off with a pass (or so I thought), how did it end up at last?

An agent slid into my DMs after #UnhingedPit’s inaugural event, and I shot my shot. She requested my full. An angel in disguise.

I was in the middle of revising so she offered me to email it to her when I was done. A few weeks later I did just that and about a month later she replied. Some heavy-weighted good things were said.

Thank you so much for sending your manuscript to me, and for your immense patience while I read through XXXXX, which I would describe as an action-packed, quick thriller of a story! You have a knack for character relationship dynamics and adventure blended with the supernatural, which is such a hot ticket right now in publishing. There’s a lot working here, Jenee, and it’s clear you are not only a student of the form, but an author intent on leaving a lasting impression. You’re taking chances with this story, and it shows – you have got some storytelling tricks up your sleeve, and it leaves me seriously intrigued. Jeff, especially, is a lovable and relatable character, one whose loyalty from readers is well-earned, which is a great setup for the series. I think you’re bound to have many loyal readers begging for future installments of your work one day, Jenee, truly.

She also said my name a lot, which I found endearing. This was then followed by what pulled her out of it, and she wished me well.

My flabbers were a bit gasted. This wasn’t just fluffy good things for a nice person to say. References were made to the publishing market and future installments, why end it here?

So I asked.

I asked if it was a solid pass or if she were open to a revision. Her response? “Of course!” I’m glad we were on the same page. I shot another message back, confirming the problematic areas for clarity, and she offered to set up a call. A couple days later we were Zoom’ing. We talked for over an hour. My history with the book, my vision for it, and other ideas I’m working on. It was fantastic. She was fantastic. I was internally an anxious mess.

The line that stayed with me is “These hang-ups are the reason I’m not ready to sign on the dotted line right now.” That’s what has propelled me for the last three weeks to forgo sleep and work nonstop on these revisions. Which is great, because I set myself a ridiculously short time-line (remember the anxiety?). I’m one week away from the due date, but dammit, I’ll get it done.

Or cry.

Maybe both.