A fellowship

I shipped off an e-mail to an editor at a publishing house earlier this week. I know, I know. They don't accept such e-mails from unagented, unpublished authors like me. But what did it cost me? Nothing, except the hours I anxiously spent pouring over my synopsis, and the guilt I felt for snapping at my wife for changing part of one paragraph.

So, like I said, not much cost. (Crap! I should have bought some flowers earlier this week.)

But I sent the e-mail because I had a slight in with the editor, whom I have never met. Another editor suggested I write her. I did. And now I wait. It's been a couple of days but it's only an e-mail. How long should it take?

I was excited that first day, checking my return e-mails several times. Nothing. And then today I faced the stark reality of querying. I may never know. She may never reply. And that, in itself, will be the reply. Rejection via silence.

Gosh, I hate this.

Also on Monday, I mailed off an application for a two-day writer's fellowship in early May. It is sponsored by the Midwest Writers Workshop. I got the application post marked on March 23, which was the deadline. I hope I get the fellowship.

The application required a one-page synopsis of a work in progress, plus roughly 1,000 words from the WIP. Those chosen must bring 20 pages of their work in progress and a laptop computer to the workshop session.

Since I already have more than 100 pages done and would be nearing the end of my novel by early May, that shouldn't be a problem.

I think THE DEATH OF ART has a strong storyline and good characters, but getting some expert help, particularly before the first draft is completed, would be good.

I also have sent out two queries this week. No rejections, however. Yet. I sent out a slew of queries in early and mid-February. I think I have only heard from one of them. Should be getting about that time, however.

I know an author from an online forum who got three rejections yesterday, including one from a query he wrote nearly a year ago. And it was insulting. Rough day for him.

I'm going on vacation soon. And so, if i can find the peace and quiet, I might get some writing done. Bad thing is that I will miss my Sisters in Crime meeting and the meeting with the critque group. It will be the first meeting I have missed since joining in January of last year.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading. And keep writing.