spryng | (no subject)

I don't know where else to vomit glee because honestly, it's kind of a small thing to most people, but OMG MY CURRENT NOVEL JUST GOT ITS (FIRST?!) MANUSCRIPT REQUEST. ;.; It's growing up so fast.

Last novel I queried (GW) got one single MS request after something like 30-40 queries and six months. The agent obviously ended up passing, but it was still a delight and a big accomplishment. This time I'm at 20 queries, but the last five had a seriously revamped and embettered version of my query and I took my time researching and selecting each agent. I've had five rejects and now a MS request. ;.; I was not expecting it so soon!

Even though an MS request /= an agent, it is still an important step on the way because basically the process goes like this:

- You finish a novel! Hoorah! Now you edit it.
- Edit it again.
- You wrote a query letter! Hoorah! Now you edit it.
- Edit it again.
- No, again.
- Seriously, just keep editing that damn query letter.
- You sent your first query letter!
- You receive your first rejection!
- All you receive are rejections! Return to the first step.
- You query your second novel.
- You receive your first MS request!
- You receive your first MS rejection!
- Return to the first step.
- You query your third novel.
- You receive several MS requests!
- You receive a revise & resubmit.
- You revise. You resubmit.
- Your first tentative phone call. You may or may not return to the first step at this point.
- But if really, really lucky (and skilled),
- Your first offer of representation!

So that's where I am, roundabouts. I'm not holding out much hope on receiving an offer this time around, but I am hoping that I'm finally in the "multiple MS requests" stage.

Anyway.

Aaah, excite! Okay, I think I've stalled long enough in replying...