Remember when I got into Boot Camp and I said, “Can I just say, this feels enormously validating?”  Well, this… this feels like the un of that.

It’s not the end of the world.  I understand this agent’s reasons, and I appreciate the fact that she let me know what they were.  In all honestly, I always knew that my book wasn’t a 100% perfect fit for her interests, as she’s not really a mystery girl.  Still, she had the whole book, and she didn’t go crazy for it.  So, you know, there’s that.

I mailed out some quick queries, and then Mark took me out to dinner (has anyone else noticed that the Olive Garden has gone downhill lately?). And just for the hell of it, we talked about what I would do if the book really didn’t sell.

Not that I think I’m there yet.  And write another book, duh.  Still, it was a good conversation to have, and we came up with some neat ideas in case I need them.

When we came home I already had one rejection waiting for me.  I should have known better than to query the woman who said she was looking for authors with amazing voices, and huge platforms.  That’s sort of like those bachelors on Millionaire Matchmaker who say they’re looking for a woman with a beautiful spirit, and ginormous breasts.

Seriously.  I am down, but not out.  I have more queries to mail.  I have more ideas to write.

And I am working on one now.

Yep, I’ve always prided myself on that, but I have to admit it hasn’t always worked out that way. When I was shopping around my last book, a rejection letter would get me down for a whole day, maybe two.

But this time? It looks like I’m over it. No more sticking my tongue out at the agent’s web page. No hiding the e-mail in a sub-folder so I won’t accidentally see it and get depressed all over again. I am fine with it, and (call me supremely arrogant) more surprised than disappointed.

Which means I guess I’m now… a businesswoman. Or maybe just a grownup.