DOWN AND DESPERATE

I have hope...

I search page after page of the Manuscript Wishlist 

looking for agents who represent picture books...

but find agents who prefer

author-illustrators
accept only agented clients
accept only nonfiction
are currently closed

I skip the listings of 

middle grade and young adult 
fantasy 
historical 
horror 
mystery 
thriller 
women’s fiction 
commercial 
crime 
family saga 
general
literary 
mystery 
graphic novel

I hone in on agents who want PBs, picture books, standalone texts. 

They say:

I'm wanting character-driven
I'm looking for characters that need to be heard
I'm searching for stories with obvious potential for animation

I like stories that grab your heart and don’t let it go even after they’re finished
I like good prose and lively characters 
I like funny storytelling 

I would love to see animal POV 
I would love to see Movie X meets Movie Y pitches 
I would love a story with funny characters 

I'm on the lookout for
I'm hungry for
I'm dying for
I'm a sucker for

I have a soft spot for  
I have a hankering for
I have a craving for 

I'm not focusing on 
I'm not a fan of 
I'm not crazy about

I don't know what I'm looking for until I see it.

I feel discouraged
depressed
dismayed
daunted
dispirited
down and desperate. 

I fret and get that awful sinking-feeling. 

Will I find an agent who'll like my work?  

Will I ever find representation? 

I compose a short list of agents—the possibilities and prospects

who throw a lifeline for hope...

and I feel better,

optimistic, 

brave and determined.

Few is better than none. 

I will not quit 

and I will submit

because they request PBs, picture books, and standalone texts.

✌ and ♥

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness ~  Desmond Tutu