Catch-22

Catch 22:

The big publishing houses won’t look at your novel unless you are represented by an agent.

The small publishing houses are so backed up with submissions they won’t look at your novel until 2007.

Agents are so bombarded that they aren’t likely to look at any query that somebody hasn’t already vetted. Or unless you are recommended by a writer of substance. You receive a form card (not even a letter) untouched by human hand except to shove it into your SASE. They profusely apologize for sending a form letter (oh please!) because they are such busy important people who either a) don’t need new clients or b) are not quite enthused enough by your query because you do not sufficiently enthuse them and you certainly do not sound like the next Dan Brown or whomever.

If you self-publish your work, you will learn the meaning of the phrase, “dis.”

Don’t weep. Don’t vomit. Do what Grapeshot does. Have a nice glass of wine, and keep sending out those goddamn queries. Send out 119. At least. Oh and don’t forget to suck it up. Big time. Keep writing. Keep drinking. Keep sending.