Now That My Book Is Out, What’s Next?

It’s been nearly a month since my book was released. It was two and a half years from the day my manuscript was accepted by Unsolicited Press to the time it was published. In that time, there was a great deal of anticipation and build-up. I could not wait for it to become a reality, to actually have a book out in the world that people could read. But now that my book is out, now that the anticipation and initial celebrations are over, what comes next? Where do I go from here?

Since my launch party, I’ve reached out to a few bookstores and libraries trying to set up readings, but they either politely explain that they aren’t interested or they ignore me altogether. It’s not so different from the initial query process of trying to get something published. I keep putting myself out there, hoping someone, somewhere will be interested. 

I had really wanted to fly out to Portland for the Portland Book Festival. I even submitted my book hoping that it would be accepted. It wasn’t. It was one more setback, one more disappointment. Despite not being selected, I still wanted to go, do a reading, and perhaps some networking, but the cost defeated me. The airfare plus hotel would cost too much and I couldn’t justify it for a four day weekend. I am, after all, only a teacher. My salary doesn’t allow for splurging. Oh well, I’m no stranger to disappointment.

Will I publish something else? I would love to say yes, but that all depends on how well the stars align and how lucky I get. I submitted another manuscript to the press that published Stolen: Love and Loss in the Time of COVID-19, but I’m still waiting on a response. I submitted it back in June, but the website did warn they have about a six month turnaround time. So, fingers crossed. 

Am I still writing? Of course, I am. I can’t imagine a world in which I’m not writing. For the last two months, I have been revising a middle grade manuscript. I wrote it several years ago, but this is what I do. I write something, let it sit for a year or two and then I revisit it. I figure I’m growing and improving as a writer, so why not keep my work fresh. Once I finish with the revision, which should be sometime this week, I’ll resume the query process, sending the manuscript out to agents and hoping they read and recognize the value of what I’ve sent them. Thus far I have had no luck with agents, but if I don’t keep trying I’ll never have success. Again, fingers crossed.

Last Saturday, I got a tattoo. It’s only my third. I waited a long time to get a tattoo, mostly because in my younger years I couldn’t figure out what I might want on my body for the rest of my life. Then Dad died and I got my first one in memory of him. He hated tattoos so I suppose there was a bit of irony in getting my first one in his memory. Anyway, on Saturday I got the owl from my website tattooed on my arm. I embraced the owl a few years ago when a friend pointed out that I was an Old Wise Lesbian. Ha! I’m not sure how wise I really am, but I’m definitely old and definitely a lesbian. However, many of my manuscripts, those waiting for a home in the publishing world, are written for a younger audience. I’ve drawn upon my experiences and tried to create stories that will resonate with people who are experiencing things similar to what I’ve already endured. In that sense, maybe I am wise enough to give others hope, to write stories that might make others feel a little less alone. Of course, nothing I write will matter unless I can find a way to get my stories into the hands of others. 

Therefore, I will persist. I will keep querying agents and publishers in hopes that I can find a home for more of my manuscripts. I will keep contacting stores and libraries in hopes that someone will want to hear me read. I will continue to put myself out there despite the rejections and lack of interest because I know my work is not only good, it’s important. We are currently under a political regime where many of us feel under attack. Our rights are threatened and the political rhetoric will have dire consequences for children and young adults. My work is a counterpoint to what they hear in the media. My stories matter because they let others know that they are okay, that there is nothing wrong with them, that there are support systems out there, that if they can survive in the now, they will thrive in the future.