…good news because it’s not bad news, but I wish I had some good news to report.

I haven’t posted anything for a while because I thought, I’ll post something when I have news about the book. But then, I didn’t have any news that I could report. Some things have happened, but I have learned through other online blogs that when it comes to having a manuscript on submission to editors, writers have to ix-nay the alking-tay. It makes sense. It’s kind of like when I tell the world that I have a date, which is always breaking news considering my love life, and then there’s all sorts of excited talk and high hopes. Then, I have to go back to everyone I blabbed to about the date to report that the guy was a rabid gerbil enthusiast or former drug dealer. In other words, not my type.

So, it would be more than a little bit embarrassing to report: “I might have a book deal!” only to report days later: “I don’t have a book deal.” Also, the blogs argue that if an editor Googles a writer and reads in her blog that the manuscript is on its fifth revision and third round of submissions, well…that doesn’t sound good.

On the other hand, hearing about what a writer goes through can be helpful to someone like me, a first-time novelist who had no connections to the publishing world when I started to query agents last summer. Many successful authors have been turned down numerous times before they landed a book deal. (J.K. Rowling anyone?) Just the other day, I read a blog post by Mandy Hubbard, an author and agent whose road to publication included nine drafts and several rounds of submissions to editors. Her novel, PRADA AND PREJUDICE, was bought by an editor who had read it for the third time. I like hearing stories like Hubbard’s because they help me to better understand the process and how long it takes. Of course, these stories also help me to believe that yes, it will happen, although it will take time.

So, while the general consensus is that mum’s the word when the manuscript is on submission, I think it’s safe for me to say that I love my agent, Laura Langlie. All of her comments and suggestions have been right-on. The manuscript today is very different compared to the one she first read, but I think it’s a much better manuscript. I trust that she will find the right home for it, and when that happens, I will post the good news.

In the meantime, I will blab about other things here, like bad dates and good books. On second thought, I think I’ll just stick with good books.