Submitting The Manuscript

Well, as of Friday night, I can’t turn back. Up until then, there was always the possibility that I could, but not now.

So what happened Friday? I hit “send” – and with the click of a button my manuscript (coupled with my talented daughter’s illustrations for the cover, etc.) where traversing through cyberspace in the direction of my publisher’s email.

This morning I get confirmation that all arrived safely. Within a few days (after the July 4th holiday, of course) I’ll be well on my way to getting my book from computer to bookshelf (both print and electronic).

So how did I feel about hitting the button, passing on months of writing, visions, rewriting, etc. on into the hands of another person? Strange you should ask.

I felt…empty. I remember thinking to myself Now what? What do I work on tomorrow? I mean, I’ve worked on other writing assignments too, but my debut novel has been the main focus of my creative energy for almost a year. There’s a void in my day. There’s a sense of relief mingled with dread.

On the one hand, I’ve actually gone ahead with my dream of publishing. On the other hand, I’ve actually gone ahead with my dream of publishing.

And if I thought the editing process was hard on my psyche, then I’m really in for a roller coaster ride now. With the editing process I could at least get my hands back on my draft to fix the errors. Soon, everything I’ve put into this novel will be put into print for the world to see. It’s exciting and terrifying all the same. 

Fasten your seat belts! Pull down the padded handle bars! I’m in for the biggest thrill and terror of my writing career…

For more information on my process to publication, visit my Blogger or Wordpress blogs.

Related Articles on Triond:

A Writing Sabbatical

Reporting on My Writing Sabbatical

My Journey to Publication: The Editing Process