What to Expect When You're on Submission: Greg Mania
🎙️ New episode: Greg Mania on getting published without losing your sh*t
Hi Bleeders!
If you stick with writing long enough, you’ll eventually find yourself in the publishing labyrinth—more specifically, the dreaded submission hell. That excruciating purgatory where you wait (and wait… and wait…) to hear back from agents or editors. It’s enough to make even the most confident writer spiral. That’s what this new series is all about: dispatches from the other side to help you survive—and maybe even thrive—while you wait.
, author of the memoir Born to Be Public from Clash Books, gets it—because he’s lived it, survived it, and now he’s here to help you cope.Here are the biggest takeaways from Greg’s journey through the publishing maze:
The path to publication is rarely straight
“The whole entire publication process is anything but linear,” Greg says. “It’s common to experience some bumps in the road.”
Greg didn’t have it all figured out at the start—he learned as he went: how to find an agent, what a query letter is, how to write a book proposal, and that nonfiction books are usually sold on proposal.
It’s a reminder: you don’t need to know everything to begin—you just need to start.
Lost your agent mid-submission? Don’t panic, phone a friend
Greg signed with an agent, and they spent about a year revising his manuscript and proposal. Then, right in the thick of submissions, his agent suddenly switched careers. “I was like, what do I do? I’m on submission and I don’t have an agent anymore.” Talk about a nightmare scenario!
That’s when his writing community stepped up. “Thankfully, the community came and got my ass,” he says. Having a few years of active literary citizenship under his belt, he was lucky to have writer friends who helped him navigate the shock and suggested other agents to reach out to.
So if you’re early in your writing life, build and nurture those relationships now. They might just save your book someday.
You can sell your own book—yes, really
Instead of waiting around, Greg took a two-pronged approach: he simultaneously queried agents and submitted to small presses. He discovered Clash Books at a bookstore, sent them a query, and ended up selling his debut himself! “It worked out perfectly,” he says. “I wouldn’t have done it any other way because we were both sort of starting out at the time.”
It’s proof that an agent isn’t always the answer. There’s no single “correct” path to publishing—and ultimately, you can do it yourself. DIY is legit, whether that means submitting to indie presses or self-publishing.
Don’t underestimate the power of self-promotion and a little delusion
From day one, Greg was smart and intentional about promotion. He even saved up to hire a freelance publicist. Working together with Clash and publicist Justin Hargett, they decided to treat Born to Be Public like it was a Big Five lead title.
That bold mindset paid off: Born to Be Public landed coverage in Oprah Magazine and NPR, despite launching during a pandemic.
Take a page from Greg: With hustle, vision, and a healthy dash of delusion, you can rewrite the odds.
Distribution makes a huge difference in getting your book out there
At first, Clash used print-on-demand through Ingram, but later they scored a national distribution deal, which made Born to Be Public more widely available in bookstores and libraries.
It’s a great example of how small presses can grow alongside their authors—and how distribution plays a big role in your book’s visibility.
You can land an agent after you publish
Eventually, Greg signed with “the wonderful, magnanimous” Alexa Stark at Writers House, describing her as “very hands-on editorially.” He says, “It's been a dream working with her,” and appreciates her honest feedback, like, “‘Okay, you're putting too much humor here because I think you're trying to shy away from the painful stuff.’”
Greg’s experience underscores something important: an agent can be a transformative collaborator—and sometimes, you find your dream agent after your debut contract is signed.
Parting pep talk
Greg’s story is a testament to how far grit, ingenuity, and good friends can get you. He took the twists and turns of publishing in stride and turned them into wins—evidence that even a hellacious process can have a happy ending.
So if you're in submission hell right now, consider this your sign: KEEP GOING!
Lean on your people. Believe in your work. And don’t wait for permission.
🎧 Listen to Greg’s episode now!
Happy bleeding!
Courtney
I’m teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought
Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast
Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business
So… ROLL CALL! 🗣️
What’s your #1 tip for surviving submission hell?
What’s your favorite way to distract yourself while waiting to hear back?