It’s a roller coaster, I tell ya.  Just got word yesterday from the agent I sent RENEGADE to…  She rejected it.  :’(  But that’s okay.  Now that I know she doesn’t want it, I’ve moved on to Plan B.  Don’t allow yourself to wallow in your own self-pity too long or you’ll never find the courage to resubmit somewhere else.

Therefore, I sent off my emailed query, synopsis, and first three chapters to Harlequin Historicals.  They are a part of Mills & Boon in London, and they allow emailed queries.  I sent it end of the day Friday, which means it was middle of the night London time.  I haven’t gotten a reply that they’ve received it yet, which is a little worrying.  Every other time I’ve queried anyone via email, I’ve gotten an automated reply that they received it.

Perhaps the London office doesn’t have an automated reply.  Perhaps someone emails you directly, and since it’s the weekend, no one is in the office.  But that seems strange to me.  If I don’t get a confirmation email in a few days, I’ll probably email again and ask if they received it.  Their website says you get a confirmation email, so I don’t want to be sitting and waiting for weeks on a submission they never got.

Anyhow, I chose HQ for a few reasons.  Number one, the story was the perfect length for the line.  Number two, I’ve always thought my writing fits there.  Number three, I really enjoy reading their books, almost moreso than Avon, Pocket, or Kensington.  And since you don’t need an agent to query…  Well, what could it hurt?

I still haven’t heard back from them regarding THE FALL OF JERICHO for their short eBook “Undone” line (which I got a confirmation email for when I sent that on).  Hoping that’s a good sign.  They give themselves 12 to 18 weeks to get back to someone on a submission, and my 12th week will be Oct. 22nd.  I’m hoping to hear from them between the end of Oct. and the end of Nov.

Ultimately, I’m hoping they love JERICHO, offer for it, and perhaps take a closer look at RENEGADE.  Of course I’m counting my chickens, but I’ve always been a dreamer, so keeping that daydream going is what keeps me going.  LOL

Of course if HQ passes on RENEGADE and/or JERICHO, then Plan C is to send them both to Samhain.  If *they* pass, I’ll send them to Champagne Books.

I’m at that point in my writing career where my friends and fans say I’m Totally Awesome!! but the agents and editors think otherwise.  Therefore, I’m trying so hard not to get a big head over good reviews and compliments and excitement over other books that are coming out.  So, if these books are rejected by HQ, it’s not the end of the road for me.  I won’t cry in my beer (for too long lol).

Anyway, I wanted to give you an update on my books.  If HQ takes the long road on RENEGADE, then I won’t hear anything about that book until around Feb. 19th!  :-O  Long time to wait, but worth it if they decide they like it.

Sure, HQ’s books are only around for a few short weeks, like a shooting star rather than a slow burn of other publishers who keep the books on the shelves forever, but it’s where I believe I fit.  There’s a few well-known ladies who write westerns over there.  I want Rebecca Goings to be one of them. 

Keep your fingers crossed, say some lucky chickens, and pray they think I’m Totally Awesome!

~~Becka