Last week, I submitted my sample chapters to my agent, to be forwarded to a Canadian publishing house. They’ve been considering my See Jane Soar book idea for over a year. That’s a long time to wait in human terms… but in book publishing terms, it’s but a drop in the bucket. The publishing process moves at glacial speed at the best of times! 

But I can’t sit around twiddling my thumbs and biting my nails while I wait for the publishers to decide on the fate of my book. I’ll get old and gray! Older and grayer.

Are you in the same boat? If not now, you might be soon…

Here’s a list of things for writers to do while waiting for publishers or editors to decide on book proposals, sample chapters, manuscripts, or article ideas:

• Plan a vacation
• Start a writers’ group
• Start a blog
• Start a book club
• Stop wondering what the publisher or editor thinks about your writing
• Stop thinking that this is your last chance to get published
• Explore different writing websites or blogs – I’ve recently discovered Aspiring Author and Advice to Writers and love them!
• Treat yourself to a leather writing journal (the one pictured is gorgeous, click for details)
• Plan your long and short-term writing goals
• Research new writing markets
• Learn how hobbies become money making careers
• Clean up your blog (check for broken links, jazz up your “about” page, refresh ad sizes and colors, etc)
• See if you can discern a distinct writer’s voice in your favorite books
• Find ways to recharge your batteries
• Start a new exercise program (I love the 10 Minute Solutions Pilates DVDs!)
• Go to Amazon.com and write a review of a book you’ve recently read
• Update your Facebook profile
• Improve your writing skills by taking an editing or web writing class
• Throw a Goddess party
• Spend the afternoon in the library, browsing all the sections
• Spend the afternoon in bed, reading your favorite books (or relaxing in other ways)
• Brainstorm new article or book ideas
• Declutter your Google Reader (or other RSS feed-reading device)

And finally, think about John Updike’s advice to writers…

“Try to develop steady work habits, maybe a more modest quota, but keep to it,” said John Updike. “Don’t be thin-skinned or easily discouraged because it’s an odds-long proposition; all of the arts are. Many are called, few are chosen, but it might be you.” (Courtesy of Advice to Writers)

Do you have any tips or questions about waiting for publishers or editors to decide on the fate of your book or article? What do you do while you wait? I welcome your comments below!

P.S.  These tips work for when you’re waiting for literary agents, too.

I created Unveiling Vancouver while living in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1997. This book was supposed to help newcomers adjust to living in the Lower Mainland, and included everything from doggie daycares (which were new back then) to where to reclaim your car after it’s been towed. 

A BC-based publisher offered me a contract (yay!); I instructed him to send it to Edmonton – I was moving there to go back to the University of Alberta, to get my Education degree. The publisher hesitated…but agreed.

Six weeks later, I received The Letter. “We regret to inform you that the nature of this book requires the writer to live in Vancouver for research and marketing purposes blah blah blah blah blah BLAH.”

How I burned the bridge to that publisher: Instead of being a wise young writer, I sent him a letter criticizing his decision, his editors, the city in which he lived, and his dog. I may also have mentioned the fact that he was going bald. It wasn’t until the nanosecond after I popped that baby in the mailbox that I realized the immaturity, short-sightedness, and stupidity of my action…and by then it was too late.

That’s one writing disaster I’ll never forget.

Anyway, back to Unveiling Vancouver: I self-published a couple dozen copies, forced my friends and family to buy copies, and sold several in bookstores around Vancouver. My single remaining copy (and that whole experience) is the root of my writing career today – even though it was never published!

That book was the foundation of another new book idea: Living Green in Vancouver. Also not published.

If you’re interested in a writing career, remember that when your book proposal or article pitch is rejected (and they will be), don’t take it personally – and don’t lash out in frustration, anger, or bitterness! Rejection in the publishing world is a business decision. It stings, but it’s a fundamental aspect of an active writing career. The reasons book manuscripts are rejected may have little to do with you as a writer, and more to do with the publisher’s mandate, book list, and future plans.

Don’t let writing rejection deaden your creativity or spirit! Keep creating new ideas to develop and pitch (or even pitch in the garbage). The more ideas you have, the more likely you’ll hit the Big One.

Be an adventurous writer – and don’t fear failure.