The Waiting Game
What to do while you wait to hear back from editors or agents
Are you like me, checking your email constantly to see if an editor has gotten back to you about a pitch or a draft you sent? On the one hand, it’s important to see the email when it comes in and respond quickly, but on the other hand, it’s a time suck when you could be writing something new.
There are many reasons we don’t hear back after submitting. The editor or agent could be on vacation; they are likely working with current clients, who are their priority; they are considering your pitch; they need to run your pitch or draft by a team; or they simply aren’t interested.
Since it’s a waiting game, it’s best to take your mind off a reply by either pitching to another editor or agent or finding a productive distraction. This week, I am waiting to hear back from a handful of agents and a couple of editors.
In the meantime, this is how I’m passing the time so I don’t have a complete meltdown or eat all the chocolate within a five-mile radius.
1. Take my pile of Post-it notes and enter them into a notebook. At least the ones I can comprehend.
2. Update my Google Editor and Agent spreadsheets on any passes. I like to look at this sheet often to remind myself that there have been yeses in my past.
3. Look for essays that need revision, and then close the file because I’m not in the mood to pour my heart and soul into something else until I have the high of an acceptance.
4. Submit another piece to McSweeney’s just to know for sure they’ll say, “This was funny, Andrea, but we’re passing.”
5. Take my dog Brody for a walk because, for some reason, he doesn’t remember we already did that earlier in the day, and he likes to stare me down as if I’ve neglected him.
6. I start my Friday Substack Newsletter early. This way I can goof off on Friday knowing I did my part for the literary world this week and now it’s “me time”—unless Brody has amnesia again.
7. Submit all of my own submission list below, if applicable. I don’t always have time because I have to write this list! I know that makes no sense, but it’s the truth. Perhaps become a paid subscriber to make me feel better about myself? Either way, I still love you for being here and reading this far.
Friday Nonfiction Submission List #56-Grants and Awards
Deadline: Sept. 6th
Theme: Stories Out of School
Fee: No
Pay: $1000
Genre: Fiction (yes, I made an exception this week and added fiction because why not?)
Word Count: 6 to 499 words
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Online form
Deadline: Sept. 1st
Theme: Annual Contest
Fee: $15
Pay: $1000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: up to 8000
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Submittable
Deadline: August 1st
Theme: Writing Contest
Fee: $20
Pay: $1000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: up to 6,000
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Submittable
Deadline: Sept 5th
Theme: Annual Contest
Fee: $10
Pay: $1000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: up to 22 pages
Medium: Online
Guidelines/Submission: Submittable
Deadline: August 1st
Theme: Manuscript in Progress
Fee: No
Pay: $5000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: up to 25 pages
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Online form
Harvard University Radcliffe Institute Fellowships
Deadline: Sept 10th
Theme: Fellowships
Fee: No
Pay: $78,000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: A chapter or up to 30 pages
Medium: Fellowship
Guidelines/Submission: Online portal
Deadline: July 31st
Theme: Literary Awards
Fee: $20
Pay: $1000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: up to 2500
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Submittable
Deadline: August 30th
Theme: Emerging Writers
Fee: $20
Pay: $3000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: up to 6000
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Submittable
Deadline: August 1st
Theme: Summer Creative Nonfiction Contest
Fee: $20
Pay: $1000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: up to 5000
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Submittable
Deadline: August 9th
Theme: Stories That Need To Be Told
Fee: $20
Pay: $1000
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: up to 10,000
Medium: Anthology
Guidelines/Submission: Email- TulipTreePub@gmail.com
Brody’s Corner
Brody right after a walk looking at me as if the walk never happened and he expects us to go out the door again.
Paid Subscribers “Pitch Practice” is Friday, July 31st, 12pm -1pm PST.
Zoom Link Sent Prior
You forgot text your friend!
Oh Brody! 😆 thanks for the roundup!