"It's time," Agent Lady said.

As humans, we enjoy being comfortable. Routines help keep us ensconced in our comfort zones. For me, part of my writer comfort arena is my publisher. I can't say enough good things about them. I've been treated well at this small ePublisher. Even so, the thought niggles at the back of my mind:  Am I good enough to attract the interest of a larger house?

Call it ego. Call it ambition. Call it being in need of stronger validation, but I am finally listening to my agent. "It's time," she claims. "Time for you to allow me to 'shop out' your books instead of automatically submitting it to the place where you feel safe."

"You...you know I don't handle rejection well." I chewed on a hang nail, a nervous gesture.

Her hand came up and pushed my hand away from my mouth. "Put on your big girl bloomers and deal with the rejection. If one publisher doesn't like your stories, another one will. You've gotten stronger."

"Stronger? Has my deoderant petered out? " I sniffed at my armpit.

"Don't play that dumb act with me." She turned her glass around and around on the table while she glared in my direction.

Agents. They can be so bossy. They can also be a best friend, which she is. So, I opened myself up to the possibilies Dawn might help bring my way and sighed. "Okay."

I revamped my Christmas chapters I'd shared here, changed my characters and added another 30,000 words. We submitted it to Carina's Christmas submission extravaganza. Those chosen for thier holiday stories will be notified on the 15th of this month--in 3 days, not that I'm counting. I've opened myself to the possibilies. Granted they may well include rejection, but we've got plan B and plan C in place. Wish me luck.

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