Putting my eggs in a lot of baskets

Every time I let a query out loose into the world (or realistically, into an agent or assistant's mailbox) I acknowledge that I've done everything I can. Whatever happens happens. It's a kind of zen moment, not unlike the way, all through junior high, high school, and college, I took that deep breath as the exams were handed out. I had done all I could to prepare; whatever happens happens.

I've been realizing that for all the research I do, querying is still a complete crap shoot. Agents that were interested in my last book? Well, by and large, they aren't interested in this one. And the agents that rejected my last manuscript? Well, okay, some of them definitely rejected this one. But a good deal (at least 4) that rejected my last book off the query are now requesting my new manuscript. And with enthusiasm!

As a result, I've been keeping my basket pretty full of eggs. Every time a rejection comes in, I send off one to two queries. I have four fulls out with agents at the moment, a number that makes me feel really good... until a few days pass and I start anxiously checking my email.

Luckily, at least for the rest of today and tomorrow, I've got a fabulous book to keep me busy (at least until the top of every hour, when I check my email): Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution. I picked up an ARC at Annual and had been holding off starting it because I wanted to read it over a few days when I could really savor its 470-something pages. So far, so sooo good.