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Gayle GM's avatar

i'm in nearly the same scenario - over a year on sub now, and feeling all kinds of emo. thanks for being so open about your experience and helping it feel less lonely <3

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Beth Morris's avatar

I'm sorry you're ‘in it' right now, Gayle. It's so tough. Hang in there!!🩷

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Alexa T. Dodd's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I’ve been through this twice now, and I agree that the ghosting might be the most painful part (lack of closure and all that). I’m sorry you’ve been through it too, but cheering you on wherever your writing takes you. I think when we share our hard experiences along with our victories it leads to more transparency in the publishing world and more community among writers ❤️

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Fiona Leonard's avatar

I'm four months into an agent sending out my latest book. It's such a process. And yes, for goodness sakes people, use automation to send out rejections. Don't ghost!

Thanks for sharing. It's nice to knoe there are other people out there in a similar boat. 💜

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Zena Ryder's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. It's dismal but, as a hopefully-soon-to-be-querying-writer, it's best to be as prepared as possible!

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Lindsey Goldstein's avatar

Love how open you are about this process. I have had a similar experience and relate wholeheartedly. I did sign a contract with a small press for my first novel that my agent didn’t sell. But I am hoping to find new representation. None of it is for the faint of heart.

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Beth Morris's avatar

Thanks, Lindsey. It is helpful to hear about your experience as well and be reminded that there is no right or "normal" way to do any of this... We are all just doing the best we can to get to our goal, one way or another! And absolutely not for the faint of heart!! I'm really glad we've connected and look forward to following along on your journey.

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Lindsey Goldstein's avatar

Same! Hopefully this is our year. 😊

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Beth Morris's avatar

🙏✨🤞

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Dee Andrews's avatar

Hello Beth. Your headline hooked me, and your experience on submission pretty much matched my own, including the break up with my agent. It's tough, and I find few who understand just how difficult it is. I remember telling myself I would use it to model loss and perseverance for my teenage daughters--that was about the only silver lining I could come up with. I'm starting the query process again with a new novel but also considering major revisions on the novel that died on submission. Am curious how you're approaching the process of querying new agents?

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Sarah Matchett's avatar

Oof, that was a tough read! I’m sorry it’s been such a difficult road. But even knowing all that and the abysmal odds (1% 😭😭😭😭), I still wholeheartedly believe that we will see your books in stores one day. And I’ll gleefully buy five copies and tell the cashier “my friend wrote this book!”

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Beth Morris's avatar

Awww thank you Sarah 🥺🥰 You're the best and I'm so grateful to have you in my corner!

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H-F Dessain's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing this and being honest. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Weve not met but sending a hug. Whilst I've yet to query an agent (still editing), going into this process with my eyes as open as possible can only be a good thing so again, thank you for your honesty.

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Beth Morris's avatar

Thank you for reading!

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Eva Langston's avatar

This is EXACTLY why I'm starting a podcast, THE LONG ROAD TO PUBLISHING (hoping to launch in July). Because it is a frustratingly long and bumpy road to publishing a book, and people who aren't in this industry, or who are new to this industry, have no idea! I'm so sorry about your book dying on sub. Such a crappy feeling, trust me, I know!

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Maria Hanley's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing this part of your journey, Beth. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this. Equally, I am so grateful for your honesty about the path ahead for many of us. Onward.❤️

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Beth Morris's avatar

Thank you, Maria. And yes...onward! <3

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Michelle Giacomino's avatar

Giveaway. Sobering sentiments on this, but I appreciate hearing it. Suiting up with knowledge, armor around my heart, and a draft- are the weapons writers have to plow ahead!

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Beth Morris's avatar

That's right! There's a lot we can't control, but a lot we can. You're entered in giveaway, Michelle!

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Emma Olive's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing, Beth! I hate that you had to go through this but also really appreciate your willingness to turn a difficult experience into something that will help your writing community. I know that feeling of being disappointed (and maybe a bit disillusioned) but also at peace with where things are at. I think that in itself is a massive accomplishment and crucial for this tough industry. (Still working on it over here!)

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Beth Morris's avatar

Thanks so much Emma. It's definitely something that takes regular intention, on the mindset front!

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Faye Embry's avatar

Thank you for sharing this! It’s resonating with me so much right now, especially as my own sub responses have slowed way down… I had no idea a good chunk of your sub list would just ghost you

And I’m glad to hear deep cuts is living up to the hype! Been in a reading slump and have that one on my tbr

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Beth Morris's avatar

Re: having no idea a bunch of editors would ghost: SAME

I'm sorry things are slow and quiet for you, too. I know that silent pain and have my fingers crossed hard for you that something breaks through soon. ❤️🤞

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Lewis Witham's avatar

You. Will. Makeit.❤️

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Beth Morris's avatar

❤️❤️thank you!

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Beth Morris's avatar

I'm so grateful when people share their experiences, too. Thanks for the kind words, Kathryn. 🩷

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BB Corcoran's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing Beth! It’s so important for writers to share these stories so the publishing world becomes less opaque!

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Beth Morris's avatar

1000% agree and that is why I shared. : )

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