Kind of an appropriate topic with our upcoming St. Patrick’s Day. Yes, even I become a little bit Irish on this “holiday.†But, it’s true. My paternal grandmother was half-Italian and half-Irish.
In the last week, I’ve had one novella and three short stories accepted for publication, and I’m feeling quite blessed about it. Why then would I be a little bit pensive? Some nagging thought in the back of my mind – in a voice that sounds very much like a friend of mine – keeps saying, “Oh, you are so lucky. You have it so easy.â€
You see, one friend who doesn’t quite understand regularly told me that whenever we talked. And while a part of it might have something to do with luck, a whole lot more deals with hard work and determination.
First, there comes the writing. At meetings, people have repeatedly said to get your BITC – Butt In The Chair. If you don’t write, you won’t have anything to submit.
And that’s part of the next step – you must submit your work if you ever want a chance at being published. I sat on stories for years before I first ventured to sending them out, so I definitely know what I’m talking about.
Determination comes with continuing to submit, even if you’re faced with the evil rejection. It sucks. It hurts. It makes my stomach burn.
Get over it. If you’re feeling “iffy†about the piece, ask someone else to read it, fix it and then send it out again.
One of the stories accepted I waited one year and four months on. Seriously: a year and a half. Periodically, I’d check in with the editor to see its status, and she’d tell me the anthology wasn’t done yet. I moaned about it. I complained. I fretted.
This week I decided enough was enough. After asking a friend her advice, and her rolling her eyes at me because I’d probably whined way too much over the last sixteen months, I wrote directly to the publisher. Last year, they released one of my short stories as a standalone, and I suggested they might want to publish this one individually “until the anthology is done.†About thirty-six hours later, she replied that she loved it, and would send me a contract.
Was the decision to follow-up – again – easy? No way. In fact, it felt a bit pushy, and I don’t do pushy.
Sometimes, though, determination kicks in.
Four acceptances with three publishers in one week are pretty miraculous, and at this moment, I have two more outstanding. Guess what I’m doing tonight? I’m writing – working on the next one.
So tell me: Do you feel lucky?
How can we get you there?
— Louisa Bacio
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A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers.
The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers.
The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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Thank you so much Lou. I appreciate the support, and you go get 'em!
Louisa, this is your year! Well done! I'm happy for you. Thanks for the reminder that persistence pays. I needed to hear that this week. Louella Nelson
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Thanks Jeff. Definitely have to listen to those instincts sometimes!
you're following your heart … and your instincts.
Doin' just fine, too.
Thanks so much, Jina. I appreciate the cheers & support!
Wonderful news, Louisa! Congrats on a job well done. You are proof of that old showbiz adage: No one fails in show business; they just give up.
Keep going!! You are an inspiration to us all.
Candy, I once had a college student tell me he didn't want to apply for an internship because he may be rejected. That comment really made an impression on me. But if you don't apply, you don't ever have a chance for acceptance … right?
There is that caveat though — there are only those few who don't submit but are still "found" some way.
Now, they are the *lucky* ones!
Rejection sucks. No matter how hard you try to be objective, it's personal. Someone told me recently it takes courage to hit submit.*wink* Determination, hard work and a lot of courage — you have to make your own luck.
Sometimes it's definitely hard to keep writing/working, especially when you've submitted something and are waiting to hear back. One reason why I like short stories, because it changes the pace and keeps that writing-need going.
My mother-in-law always said that you need to believe you're going to win in order to. One of those affirmation people.
So *feel* it.
Thanks for stopping by Saranna. And, hey: I LIKE you!
GO YOU! That's awesome.
That's something I detest about the career path we've chosen. From submitting to releases, I feel like I'm asking people to please like me. Yeah, no. That's not me at all. I'm more of a take it or get out of my face kind of person. But that doesn't work in this business. You have to follow up, you have to be visible, you have to keep submitting, keep releasing, keep working and keep hoping.Even when you're not feeling lucky at all. 🙂