L'Automate aux Bleus Océans : After proofreading, sending to publishing houses !

My poetry collection is ready !

Writing a book is an inner journey. A voyage filled with doubts, sudden insights, and constant self-reflection. After months, even years, of hard work, comes a pivotal moment: the moment when you say, "It’s done, it’s ready."

Today, that moment has finally arrived for my collection. After an intense phase of proofreading, I’ve made the big decision: my manuscript is now ready to meet publishing houses!

A proofreading phase as long as it was essential

While writing was an intense experience, rereading, correcting, and refining every word became a true marathon. For weeks, I hunted down every awkward phrase, every repetition, every sentence that didn’t resonate as I wanted it to.

Because this text is much more than a manuscript, it is the reflection of my story, of what I’ve been through, what I’ve felt, and what I’ve sought to transfigure through writing. Every word matters. Every silence, too. I wanted this work to be as true as possible, carrying the weight of my wounds but also the drive of my resilience.

And then, comes the day when you reread it for the last time and feel that new sensation: the feeling of a final full stop.

Protecting my manuscript: officializing the project

Before sending my text to publishing houses, I wanted to officially protect it. Not so much out of fear of theft, but mainly to establish a clear and legitimate framework for this creation.

There are several ways to protect a manuscript: depositing it with a notary, a bailiff, sending it by registered mail... I chose e-Soleau, a service offered by the INPI that guarantees the work’s prior claim for just €15.

Beyond the legal aspect, this deposit represents a symbolic step for me: it marks the officialization of my project. It confirms months of work, like an invisible signature that says, "this exists, this is real."

Sending to publishing houses: between excitement and apprehension

Now that my manuscript is ready, a new chapter begins: meeting with publishers. I’ve carefully selected houses whose editorial line resonates with my world, hoping that my text will find a connection with them.

Each publishing house has its own identity, sensitivity, and commitment to the texts it publishes. So, I took the time to analyze those that might align with my collection, hoping for a collaboration that makes sense.

The coming weeks will be marked by sending the first emails, followed by waiting for responses. A mix of impatience, excitement, and fear...

Because, let’s be honest, rejection is part of the process. Many authors go through this. But every response, whether positive or negative, is progress. Every reply is an opportunity to learn, grow, and persevere.

And now?

I plan to document this step as much as possible. The journey of a manuscript is often opaque, and it's rarely discussed. I want to share the behind-the-scenes of this experience, whether it’s the waiting, the doubts, or (hopefully!) the good news.

In the meantime, I want to thank everyone who supports me, who follows my work, and who sends me kind messages. It’s thanks to you that I continue to believe in this project.

The adventure continues... and I’m taking you along with me !