Back in late January, I thought I had found a home for my novel. After weeks of promising conversations with a potential publisher, it finally felt like things were falling into place.
In the end, the decision came down to a familiar concern in publishing: whether there would be enough readership for the book.
It’s a difficult outcome, but an honest one—and a reminder that publishing decisions are often shaped by factors beyond the writing itself.
After taking a step back, I found myself returning to the only part of this process I can control.
The work.
Because the truth is, writing and finishing a novel—while incredibly challenging—is only one part of the journey. In many ways, it’s the most straightforward part. You sit down, you do the work, and eventually, you reach the end.
What comes next requires a different kind of discipline.
For me, that has taken the shape of a weekly rhythm.
Every Thursday, I receive updates through QueryTracker—a platform many novelists use to research literary agents, track submissions, and stay organized throughout the querying process. It’s a simple tool, but an essential one when you’re managing multiple submissions and trying to stay strategic.
Then, on Friday mornings, I send out a new query. Each one is tailored carefully. I research the agent, review what they’re looking for, and adjust my letter to reflect that. It’s not a quick process, and it’s not meant to be.
Last Friday, I spent over five hours refining a query package for a single agent—researching, tailoring, and making sure everything was as strong as possible.
The agent’s typical response time is listed as three to six months. I received a rejection three minutes after hitting send. That’s part of the process, too. Some weeks, it feels productive. Other weeks, it feels like sending work into silence.
Writing a novel is an accomplishment. Finishing it is something to be proud of. But staying in the process—continuing to put your work out there, continuing to face uncertainty, continuing to believe your story has a place—that’s where perseverance comes in.
If you’re in this stage of the process, especially as a debut author, a few things have helped me stay steady: Keep a consistent querying routine, even when it feels repetitive. Take the time to research and tailor each submission. Expect long stretches of silence—it’s part of the process, not a sign to stop.
Most importantly, don’t confuse delays or rejections with failure. They’re built into this stage of the work.
So I’m back to querying. Back to refining. Back to sending my work out, one letter at a time. Because this part of the process isn’t about luck—it’s about staying in it.
~ L.S.