Q&A Thursday

overthinking it edition

Hi friends!

It’s Thursday, so let’s do a Q&A Thursday! If you’re a paid subscriber, you can send me a question! Just respond to this email or send me a DM. Let’s get started!

T asks: Hi! I am a debut novelist. I received representation pretty quickly after querying. My book is pretty timely, as it is about three women's choices to remain childfree. I thought this would be a slam dunk given the "childless cat lady" discourse, etc. But I have received quite a few passes. Been on sub since Sept. I am confused. Aren't we hungry for this right now? Or is it just that people don't want to read about depressing things that are really happening? ie: The Handmaid's Tale effect? I don't want this book to die! But I have a feeling it might.

Ugh, I’m sorry. Being on submission is very tough. It takes forever (seven months isn’t unheard of, unfortunately) and there’s little info about what’s going on and it is generally hard all around. And I get your feelings, too. This idea does sound like a proverbial slam dunk. But nothing is a slam dunk in publishing. My instinct is to add