Tuesday, December 19, 2006

And so it goes ...

I don't know how I knew, but I did, that Demimonde would not make the cut at Tupelo. The story so far: I submitted my ms. to Tupelo for their July open submissions last year, in 2005. We were supposed to be informed by the end of October. Finally, I emailed at the end of the year to find out that my manuscript came close but was not chosen. As a booby prize, Jeffrey Levine entered it in the Dorset Prize for me, even though the deadline had already passed. And Demimonde was a finalist.

I submitted it to the Tupelo Prize, which was first books only, and it was not only a finalist, but one of five runners up.

I submitted Demimonde to the July open submissions again this year, along with 999 others, or thereabouts. I was told it was one of 25 that would be considered -- four would be taken.

Earlier this week I learned that it was one of nine still on the table, but I didn't have a good feeling about it. A few minutes ago, I got the following email:


Dear Diane,

We have made our final decisions. Your book was on the table until the very end, but . . .

I know it must be off-the-charts frustrating to keep coming so close. I wish I could offer something more helpful than it's a great manuscript (which it is), and that it WILL get taken -- here or elsewhere.

Best,
Jeffrey



I'm grateful for the closure. The waiting and hoping was driving me crazy. And so, in less than 2 weeks, we start another year.

9 comments:

Suzanne said...

Diane,
It WILL get taken. Maybe you should cast your net wider next year. KWIM? xo

Unknown said...

I suppose ...

Beverly said...

Sorry to hear that. You must feel at times like pulling out your hair. Or somebody else's...

Unknown said...

Well, you know, I never really believed that it would be taken. If I really had hope, it would be worse.

Kelli Russell Agodon - Book of Kells said...

Hi Diane,

I was one of the 25 as well, though it sounds as if your mss went farther than mine. I dont' think mine made it to any tables. ;-)

It sounds as if it's will be chosen soon though, if not tupelo, then someone.

Drop me an email if you like...

Best,
Kelli R. A.

Anne Haines said...

Next year will be your year. I have a hunch. Maybe not Tupelo, but somewhere.

Unknown said...

Kelli -- email sent.

Anne, thanks for the vote of confidence.

d-

Peter said...

Arrrrgh . . . so close! Hang in there. Your day will come.

Sandra said...

Ah--I was one of those 25 too! And yes, the whole process was a bit onerous and confused this year. It is nice to see some of the other finalists reveal themselves.

Diane, Kelli, I'm sure it is just a matter of time. My disappointment faded considerably when I saw the caliber of the 4 who WERE selected. I do think the finalist notices were a bit short, though---would have been nice to get some qualitative feedback from an editor.

Have a Happy New Year--here's to fresh starts in 2007.

Cheers, Sandra