First ever- request for manuscript

Lavinia

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:e2cloud9: If you've sent out many snail mail queries, you know that when you get your own SASE back in the mail, it's a rejection. That's been my experience anyway...until now. I sent out several queries to agents and publishers last month. I got the SASE in the mail on Saturday and didn't open it as I knew it was a rejection. I opened it on Monday (yes, I waited two days) and it was my original query with a handwritten note on the bottom asking to see the complete manuscript! Can you believe it?

I got ready to send it out to the agent but freaked out and went over it with a fine-tooth comb...again. It is now on it's way to him. Just thought I'd check in here so that you all know to open each and every one of those "rejections." You never know!

I'm so excited I can barely concentrate on anything else. But the guidelines say it can take three months to hear from them so I've got to move on and try very hard to not spend every moment of the next 90 days checking and rechecking email and postal mail. Oh brother. Onward! ~Karen
 

MDavis

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What a wonderful story ;) Congrats Lavinia and good luck!
 

Momento Mori

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Yay you! Very many congratulations and I shall keep my fingers firmly crossed for positive news.

MM
 

zeppelin123

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Congratulations. I've gotten a few encouraging comments (in one case handwritten) but no requests yet. I am excited for you.
 

regdog

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Congrats

Congrats and good luck

:hooray::snoopy:
 

Lavinia

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Thanks everyone! Until now, the very best enclosure in a SASE was a comment on the bottom of the rejection letter that said, "Cute story!" I wonder if these agents know that a simple comment like that can absolutely make a writer's day?

I'll let y'all know when I get a contract in the mail...LOL. Hey, I can dream! ~Karen
 

Chris Huff

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:e2cloud9: If you've sent out many snail mail queries, you know that when you get your own SASE back in the mail, it's a rejection. That's been my experience anyway...until now. I sent out several queries to agents and publishers last month. I got the SASE in the mail on Saturday and didn't open it as I knew it was a rejection. I opened it on Monday (yes, I waited two days) and it was my original query with a handwritten note on the bottom asking to see the complete manuscript! Can you believe it?

I got ready to send it out to the agent but freaked out and went over it with a fine-tooth comb...again. It is now on it's way to him. Just thought I'd check in here so that you all know to open each and every one of those "rejections." You never know!

I'm so excited I can barely concentrate on anything else. But the guidelines say it can take three months to hear from them so I've got to move on and try very hard to not spend every moment of the next 90 days checking and rechecking email and postal mail. Oh brother. Onward! ~Karen

Congrats! That's huge. Good luck.
 

Favored_Dahl

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Wow, how satisfying! Congrats to you.

I am still at the stage of shying away from even sending out any submissions. I keep writing them and allow them to sit on my desk. I struggle to find the right fit in regards to who I should send it to and I just don't know if I am in the frame of mind to withstand rejection after rejection. How did you build your nerve?
 

mirrorkisses

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I am just as excited as you are: I did some verbal pitches about two weeks ago and I will be sending in my manuscripts sometime next week. I never, ever expected anyone to be interested in reading my novel.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you if you do the same for me!
 

possibleimp

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Thanks everyone! Until now, the very best enclosure in a SASE was a comment on the bottom of the rejection letter that said, "Cute story!" I wonder if these agents know that a simple comment like that can absolutely make a writer's day?

I'll let y'all know when I get a contract in the mail...LOL. Hey, I can dream! ~Karen

I'm sure that they do. Lately, I've spoken to some very nice agents--one even answered my "not business as usual" plea for her to give me advice. Not only did she do that, but she was very encouraging. (She did not handle my genre)

I've gotten some positive comments on rejection letters that keep me going. Anything I've published, I have received the good news in my SASE. Do they not usually use the SASE for that? (just wondering what others have experienced)