Saturday, October 30, 2010

Five copies of my manuscript are in the mail.
Now the waiting begins. Fingers crossed.
A request sent out to the universe.

It's a pricey proposition these days, the submission of book-length poetry manuscripts. Pretty much the only way to go about it is to enter manuscript contests, which charge a reading fee of, on average, $25. Non-contest publishers are rare, and many this past year have stopped accepting new work because of economic concerns. With the entry/reading fee, the copy-fee, and postage, the average single submission costs $34. Not so bad if one is so lucky to have one's manuscript picked up early, but a friend submitted his ms. eighty-something times before it was accepted, and now he's published three books.

This collection feels really good -- not the first one I've put together but I've not felt this way previously. And I'm long overdue for a book, honestly. But I'm a bad secretary and the rustling of papers sets my nerves afrazzle, so I've avoided this task for most of my adult life. Excuses? Maybe. Sometimes I'd rather clean out a dozen litter boxes than prep my manuscript. (I need more cats.)

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Duck and white beans and thyme and onions and celery are simmering, steaming up the kitchen. A hint of cinnamon and allspice in the air. This is my favorite time of year to cook: soups, stews, pumpkin bread, gingerbread, roasted vegetables. Stuffed chickens and boeuf bourguignon and butternut squash and mashed potatoes: all things to sustain the soul as summer slips out amidst an autumn storm.

12 comments:

  1. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

    As for the food; you're so right. Slow cooked is always best. Bisou, Cro.

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  2. From a distance it seems a balanced life - worries about a manuscript, (you have my sympathy and understanding) and good food. Life's normality & stupidity in all its variety.
    Good luck with both
    Harvey

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  3. Man that's brave - sending off MSS is unhinging. But all that gorgeous food will fill you up - and, hopefully, still the anxiety before you get back a definite YES. Fingers and toes crossed for you.

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  4. congratulations!
    And I have something waiting here for you, that should occupy those otherwise frazzled nerves!
    (wv=imuse)

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  5. Your kitchen smells wonderful...good luck with the book.

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  6. Cro, as ever, thank-you!
    (And I really appreciate your frequent comments. Makes me believe that there is actually someone out there.)

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  7. Harvey, your perspective is spot-on. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Mary, thanks for your support, from the other side of the planet! Cheers!

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  9. Melinda, I'm tempted to drive over to Seattle this afternoon to pick it up, but I'll restrain myself and work on clearing out the spare room (for a studio space!) instead.

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  10. Jacqueline, when we came home from seeing The Social Network (good movie) yesterday afternoon, the duck legs had been slow-cooking in the oven for three hours, and the scent put me in a swoon. I do declare.

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  11. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you. Half the battle is getting the manuscript ready and out into the world.

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