Hello Again, Sweet Grindstone

I made a difficult decision last week regarding my manuscript.  I wrote to an editor and told her that I felt it best to withdraw the book from her consideration at this time.  She’d read two previous drafts and provided feedback, but no book deal.  My fear was that I had once again sent her a book that wasn’t ready.  Pulling the manuscript is an amateur move, I know, but I’d rather that than waste an opportunity in my haste with a book that’s not yet where it should be.

I preach patience to writers all the time, which comes from reading a lot of books that seem to have been published before they were ready.  While I’m not against self-publishing, it is a practice that unfortunately often fosters impatience.  I believe that in the long run, it is better to take more time with a book and really get it right than to throw something out there before its time.  That said, I’m as eager as every other wanna-be out there.  I’m consumed by the need to see my words printed and bound.  (Are we all such egotistical assholes or is it just me?  Don’t answer.)

After the editor read the second draft and came back to me with feedback, I resolved to really focus on making the book as entertaining, well-written and cohesive as possible.  Part of that round of edits included feedback from readers.  But I approached the feedback with selective hearing, focusing on those who said, “It’s great!” and quietly ignoring others who pointed out problems with transitions and bigger issues that I preferred not to acknowledge.  It’s been bugging me ever since.

Over the weekend I contemplated how the editor might respond to my withdrawal, with scenarios ranging from “Fine, you’re a loser and I didn’t want to read it anyway,” to “Too late, I’ve already read it and am sending a contract over to you now.”  She responded on Monday, letting me know that it was fine to pull the manuscript and resubmit it later.

I’ll probably get it back to her in the spring, which means a response won’t come until the summer of 2012 at the earliest.  Right now that seems like a lifetime away, but I’m confident that this is the best approach.  It’s time for me to heed my own advice, slow down, and get it right.