Shopping the Book

Shop the book. I love that phrase. It sounds so “writerly.” It’s what I’ve been doing since my last book update a couple of weeks ago. In the past two weeks, I’ve queried five literary agencies. The redoing/rearranging/rewriting of my proposal for each agency, while taking some time and thought, hasn’t been as difficult as anticipated. That may be only because I started with the agencies whose requirements are closest to what I already have written. It’ll probably become more difficult the further I get into my list.

I sent my first query, which required only my query letter and the first five pages of my manuscript, on Friday afternoon, April 24th. I received an email response on Monday morning, April 27th, that said, “Pass but may God bless.” My first rejection! Although quite expected (and even softened with a blessing), I have to admit it stung just a bit. Rejection feels so personal, and this one was so quick. Didn’t take much contemplation on the agent’s part to know she didn’t want me. My four additional queries are still out there. I’m now better prepared for the next rejection. It’s the nature of the publishing business after all. I just came across this website, Literary Rejections. Reading the rejections of some of the biggest names in writing helps. Here’s just a sample: “‘An absurd and uninteresting fantasy which was rubbish and dull.’ Rejection letter sent to William Golding for The Lord of the Flies. 15 million sales.” So, “Pass but may God bless” isn’t so bad! I should probably prepare myself for a “rubbish and dull” type letter though, just in case.

I’ve read a lot about querying over that last few months, and yet I went ahead and knowingly broke a cardinal rule last week. The rule is never to query agents and publishers at the same time. If you want an agent, stick to querying agents. The reason so many people in the writing industry give this advice is because once a door to a publishing house is closed to you through rejection, it’s never going to be opened, even if you later have an agent. The agent won’t be able to approach a publisher who’s already rejected your book. It’s a done deal that’s not going to be undone.

So why did I do it? Well, this publisher came to my attention last fall. Last year was their first year in business, so being new and trying to build their business, they were open to unsolicited submissions by “agentless” authors. Last fall I wasn’t even thinking about submissions. I still had my proposal ahead of me. With only a handful of books out so far, it was also still up for debate whether or not they were going to turn into a successful publishing house. I thought of them again, though, as I started querying. After more research, it feels like they would be a good fit for me and my book. They’re a Christian publishing house, which is where I want my book to land. They’re still accepting unsolicited, unagented submissions, but as they become more successful and more established, that is likely to go away. It could go away tomorrow. I was left with a decision to make. Do I break the cardinal rule?

I prayed and, yes, fretted over the decision for a couple of days. My pursuit in publishing my story has always been about being willing to go, say, and do whatever God has in mind. But how do I know God’s mind? Have you ever struggled with a decision, praying for God’s guidance, and never feeling clearly that you’ve heard him? Have you ever questioned whether it’s God’s voice you’re hearing? Or have you ever made a decision believing it’s what God wants for you and the next day you wake up riddled with doubt and second-guessing? I have. I have Proverbs 3:5-6 committed to memory because I need that reminder of God’s promise so often. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding; Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” I believe that promise, and yet I still often found myself doubting or second-guessing a prayerful decision.

There’s another passage of Scripture in the New Testament that shows Proverbs 3:5-6 in action. It happens after Christ’s Ascension. The remaining eleven apostles gather to choose a replacement for Judas. The process is recounted in Acts 1:21-26.

‘So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness to Jesus’ resurrection.’

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also know as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, ‘O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

How confident and matter of fact is their decision! There’s no vacillating. There’s no doubting. There’s no waking up the next day to second-guess their choosing Matthias. They prayed, confident in God’s direction. They made a decision, confident it was the one God led them to make. Done.

When I read this passage a while back, I understood how it’s possible to rest in a decision, to know God’s peace after prayerfully deciding. In Proverbs 3, God promises to show me which decision to make. I forgot about the apostles and their choosing of Matthias when I fretted over this publisher submission decision last week. God brought it back to my mind, though, during my conversation with him about wanting to hear him in a way that I could clearly understand. I made the decision to query the publisher, and I haven’t vacillated or doubted or second-guessed it. I’m resting in it peacefully.

I don’t know what’s going to happen with my submission to the publisher. If that door is closed to me forever by rejection, I’ll know that isn’t what God has in mind for me and my book. No doubt. I love the way God used this New Testament story to remind me of his promise in Proverbs. There’s no greater feeling than resting in God’s perfect peace.