Dear Mr. Blaylock,
Thank
you for your submission. Our acquisitions editors loved your story, and it is
in the final stages of our review process to be considered for publication. We
will have our decision in the next day or two.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Cedar Fort, Inc. | Fiction Department
My heart leapt in my chest. I read it over and over again. Seriously, I’ve committed it to memory. I immediately called my wife and read it to her. She asked, “What does it mean?”
I didn’t know how to answer.
Six months ago I finished my first novel. With that huge check mark off the old bucket
list, I looked to publish it. I sent
several query letters to literary agents but was ultimately met with
disappointment. One Friday night, on a date
with my wife, we went to Seagull Book (that’s right, we know how to live it up)
and looked at the various publishers. I
visited their websites and submitted my entire manuscript, not just a synopsis,
to Cedar Fort. With great trepidation I
clicked submit as was the first time, in its entirety, my work had left my
possession. Realizing the situation was
beyond my control I started my next project and, in an effort to improve my
writing, even entered a short story competition. The plan was to take a break from my novel
and circle back with fresh eyes later this year. Flash forward to last week and the email
above.
What did it mean? I
tried to analyze (or over-analyze to be more accurate) every detail. I noticed the “Dear Mr. Blaylock” was in a
different font than the rest of the text and feared that suggested it was a form
letter. But it said they loved my story,
that’s not form letter language, that’s personal and positive.
“…the final stages of our review process.” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?! What is the process? I pictured a dark tribunal surrounding a
well-lit table where my manuscript lay; a cloaked figure looming over it with a Caesar-like
thumbs up or thumbs down to decide its fate.
“…considered for publication”, my heart’s desire. All I could ask was to be considered. Just to know that my story had been
considered was thrilling.
“We will have our decision in the next day or two.” A day or two?! The agony, the anxiety, the horror. Why send this email just to imbue the reader
with false hope? Surely this email was a
good sign, a formality or matter of due course.
You don’t know that, and don’t
call me Shirley.
Throughout the restless night that followed the cloaked figure haunted my consciousness. I worried for my little manuscript and did
not dare to dream of what might be.
Mercifully, I was rescued from a second night of tossing and turning
when I received an email the following morning.
Hi,
Aaron!
Thank
you for submitting The Land of Look Behind to us. You had me
on the edge of my seat the entire time…I think we have the perfect market for
this story. We would like to publish your book! Congratulations!
Cedar Fort, Inc. | Fiction Acquisition Editor
My entire body trembled as I shakenly dialed the phone. My wife answered and I began to read to her
without even a hello. She failed to
choke back the tears and in a trembling voice said “You did it.”
The only person on earth who could truly appreciate what
this means to me is my wife. It was
fifteen years ago that I conceived the idea for this story. Camping by myself in the mountains, I had
gone to pray and consider a possible future that I hoped would involve her. I took a notebook with me and began to write
the framework for a story that had been swirling around in my head. Neither my story nor my love life came about
exactly as I imagined but as I type this I have the girl of my dreams on the
couch to my right and a release date for my story in my inbox.
So, boys and girls, mark your calendars for February 9, 2016 and stay tuned
for what dreams may come.