Reflections on a Summer Spent Writing

There's an old saying in the publishing world: don't submit in August. That's because the New York industry shuts down -- editors and agents go on vacation, catch up on the slush pile or head out to Los Angeles for a few days of sun and fun at the SCBWI Summer Conference.

The saying began when editors responded more quickly to manuscripts, even unsolicited manuscripts. I'm not sure it makes much difference today when no matter what time of year you submit you're looking at a six-month wait, but the old saying stands: don't submit in August!

That doesn't mean as a writer, particularly a writer trying to break into the business, that you should take the month off. Or any part of the summer. Or Labor Day weekend. After all, isn't writing your getaway?

How I Spent My Summer Writing

1. Stayed in Touch with Two Literary Agents. Nothing signed, of course, but one shows great promise, having requested a serious business plan from me that the other did not. We'll see. So I include writing a marketing plan among my summer writing accomplishments (oh, the business side of writing!)
2. Wrote Two Drafts of an Early Chapter Book.  A sequel to an earlier picture book that has been getting some attention. Following the Nick Bruel Bad Kitty model here. Workshopping and writing the third draft now.
3. Outlined a Middle-Grade Novel. Began this at the suggestion of an editor. It was my summer goal to start this book September 1. I did. Finished one chapter. Um, I guess that means 10 to go (a Fall goal!)
4. Attended a Writers Conference. Went to the Eastern NY SCBWI Mid-Hudson Conference in June and was accepted at their November Falling Leaves Workshop, as well as the Rutgers One on One in October. Very excited about both.
5. Submitted a Picture Book Rewrite to an Editor Who Requested It. Even submitted it in August. Guess I just didn't follow that adage.
6. Outlined Two Picture Books. One is a sequel to the requested picture book. Editor wanted to know if I could see it as a series. Of course! Well, I can now...

Maybe that should be another writer's adage: See everything as a series.

Hope everyone else kept busy writing these days, whether putting together a manuscript or attending to business (including conferences). Let me know what you accomplished this summer, and I hope it includes the word contract.

Just probably not with an August signing date...

*Next Up: Reflections on a Summer Spent Reading