My Dystopic Inbox

October 25, 2016

My Dystopic Inbox

Josh Getzler

As I was looking through my posts from the past couple of months, I realized that between Jewish holidays, the end of the summer, and parenting three teenagers, my posting on Hey Dead Guy has been pretty weak. It's been pretty rough--to the point where I have been describing my inbox, which has been deluged during my absences the past couple of weeks, as "dystopic."

But it's done now. My Senior is completing his first quarter and his college apps. The Jewish holidays concluded this evening and I'll actually have 7 straight work days uninterrupted. The puppy is slightly less insane. All good.

The question for an agent with a dystopic inbox is this: where to start? Do I begin by answering the "please update" emails from clients? Or by thanking editors who have passed on my submissions? Do I look at the contracts that have arrived the past couple of days? Or do I continue my Fall manuscript submissions? Do I write the editorial letters to prospective clients? Or to current clients? Or do I read the second draft of a manuscript when I am already behind on the manuscripts I SHOULD be submitting already? Plus a couple of clients have new opportunities in different projects.

And the World Series is on.

And the election is in two weeks.

I need a new Holiday.