This is What “Hard” Looks Like

Tire tracksI’m blogging over at Books & Such today. My post is titled “Where the Rubber Meets the Road.” Here’s a preview:

When I decided to become a literary agent, I received advice from several wise people who knew what I was getting into. They told me it would be a steep learning curve, it would be challenging to build my business from the ground up, and that it would take a few years to start seeing results.

Numerous times over the last five-plus years I’ve felt challenged nearly to the breaking point. There have been moments I’ve wanted to give up. But something always made me think back to the beginning and all the great advice. Then I’d remind myself, “Oh yeah, they said it would be hard. I guess this is what hard feels like.” Realizing that things were progressing exactly as expected, I’d gather the strength to continue.

There are going to be times like this in your pursuit of publication. There will be times when the waiting is interminable. You’ve been advised again and again that the publishing business takes patience, and that’s true even after you have an agent, even after you have a publishing contract, even after you have books out. You’re going to freak out and think, “I am so SICK of waiting.” That’s when you should look back and remember how many times you were told this would take patience, and tell yourself, “Okay, this is it. This is where the patience comes in. I can do this.”

Click HERE to read the full post.

 

 

Rachelle Gardner

Literary agent at Gardner Literary. Coffee & wine enthusiast (not at the same time) and dark chocolate connoisseur. I've worked in publishing since 1995 and I love talking about books!

5 Comments

  1. Anjei on June 17, 2013 at 9:32 AM

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  2. Suzanne on June 15, 2013 at 12:43 PM

    Popped across and read the full post – hard is the story of my life, so my life must be great 😉
    Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe



  3. Dina Santorelli on June 14, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    As Tom Hanks’ character says in A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” 🙂



  4. Jennifer Slattery on June 14, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    I’ve never considered the challenges or courage necessary for luterary agents. Reading this post showed me how much agents likely understand the challenges authors face. It also increased my admiration and respect for you. Great eye-opening post!



  5. Cherry Odelberg on June 14, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    And, are wildfires a part of what hard feels like?