Little Cottage in the Northwoods

In July I sent out 5 manuscripts. 3 picture books, a short story, and after much searching found a publisher I felt my middle grade novel was suited for. I also wrote my first “Status Inquiry.” Normally writing and asking about the status of a manuscript is frowned upon by publishers, however, according to the Editorial Guidelines for Writers page on the Albert Whitman website, after a certain amount of time has passed status inquiries are allowed, and are responded to immediately. The letter was simple, after noting the title of manuscript, the month and the year in which it had been submitted, I requested the status of the manuscript, thanked them for their time and enclosed a SASE for their response.

I’m focusing on the last draft of my picture book(I’ve writing the last draft for months now.) It’s one of those stories that just isn’t ready to send out in the world yet. I know at some point I’m going to have do that last edit, close my eyes, hold my nose and get the manuscript in the mail. I just read a really great book, D Is for Dahl: A gloriumptious A-Z guide to the world of Roald Dahl. Dahl wrote one of my favorite books Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryand he wrote the screenplay based on it Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory(one of my favorite movies), and according to the book, he wasn’t satisfied with either of them. Maybe one day somebody might my best work is a story I’m not satisfied with. That means I’m going to have to let it go…but not until it’s perfect :=)