My mind is going to all the bad places! Maybe they forgot to tell my agent they're not buying!

You're sweating after two weeks?

Allyson, oy. Ask the nice agent lady how long this particular editor generally takes on a submission. If she says two to three months, you'll get a glimmering of why the rest of us develop ulcers. Because that's pretty common.

But longer is better. She didn't read the first chapter and send it back with a "no thanks".

deb, I'm awfully concerned about appearing like a craxy/needy person. Well, not to you guys, obviously.

Heh. I know the feeling; I'm pretty sure Jenn thinks I'm, um, let's use a phrase I generally hate and say "one of a kind" (as in, NUTS). But you're a first-time writer, and your agent knows it. She'll know how nail-bitey new clients get.

When was the last time you spoke with her? Have you spoken with her since the submission of the completed ms?

Allyson, what Deb said. Especially since you're new at this, it's perfectly reasonable to shoot her an email asking, "How long does this process usually take? Or this editor?"

Done!

Thanks.

I let her know that it'd make me less nuts if I had some sort of general idea with these two editors...but seriously, I think I'll be nuts anyway.

This is so very exciting.

Allyson, bebe, I totally sympathise with the crazy-making. Jenn's submitting the Kinkaids to only one editor at a time; she told me the rationale and I forget what it is but it made sense. But Jesus wept, it makes the process excruciatingly slow. I haven't bitten my nails, but I have no temper left. None.

Whew!

2-3 weeks. Editor said that the publisher is getting really interested.

Should keep me afloat for like, the next four minutes.

Also, should it all fall apart, um, I shall completely break into the tiniest of pieces. I shall be as dust.

No, no dust yet. You're still pretty early in on this process. I think these guys will buy it. If not, they've certainly taken enough time with it, that you know it's likely to spark someone's interest enough to buy.

Besides Allyson, your book is excellent.

Speaking of patience, I could use a little wafted this way. About to submit "Restless" - the Patrick Ormand backstory piece - as blind submission for consideration for the "Burden on the Badge" anthology, being edited by Michael Connelly and being published by Little, Brown this autumn.

If they take it, I'm going to dance the dance of joy and serendipitous timing. Because it would hit the streets the same time as "Cruel Sister", and would be a humongous selling point for the Kinkaids.

Meh.