Burning Bridges
I’m nervous. I reached out to some potential editors. I probably need to brush up on etiquette and social skills. I have a meeting with one person tomorrow about editing. And I’ve sent two samples off to two other editors.
But I probably blew it with one who seemed like a good editor based on her website. Until I filled out the form for inquiries. One of the required fields was “subgenre”. Genre was not required, but subgenre was. I barely know what genre my stories fall into, much less the subgenre. She had a, *cough*, helpful list of 114 subgenres to choose from. Not one of them seemed to fit my story. Not even a little.
I hate labels. I hate being boxed in. I hate the stereotypes labels inherently bring with them and the expectations they set.
I chose two subgenres, the closest two I could find. I then proceeded to tell her why the question made me uncomfortable and asked why this was so important to her. I know the answer will be all about marketing and finding the right niche and knowing how to reach that particular audience. I didn’t need to ask, because I know the answer.
I don’t give two cents about any of that, though. The whole idea of marketing and networking makes me itch, uncomfortably, as if I have hives. This book will not get any normal kind of marketing, and I’m okay with that.
So that editor and I are probably not a good fit and I probably should’ve just crossed her off the list and not sent in the submission form. But it made me so agitated and got me so riled up. I sent the form off with my small rant in the comments. Burning bridges right and left, I guess.
I’m nervous. I’m on edge. And I’m super stressed at work on top of all that. I need some time off.
I’m forgiving myself for having sent the form. I can’t recall it, I can’t take it back. And it’s okay. Mistakes happen. Keep moving forward.
Peace, all.
It’s so easy to beat yourself up for these things. It’ll turn out okay in the end. Hugs and hang in there!! ❤️❤️
Thank you, Susan! You’re right. It will turn out okay. And she seems very nice, actually. Hugs back at ya! ❤️