Querying –
I did a lot of things wrong. I checked EVERY single ping on my phone. I had Query Tracker Premium so I could see all the stats if an agent had skipped my query.
IT WAS NOT HEALTHY.
I started a manuscript and then continued to spend time rewatching videos about how to query.
But then I got a call request, and more agents requested the full. Yay! Happy things.

Submission-
So what I learned from my querying experience, I applied to submission, I hope it will help you not get too stressed about things. Whether you are in the querying trenches or on submission, if you are losing your mind. Do these things:

I found the digital wellness settings on my phone and have it so all my social media is blacked out from when my daughter wakes up to when she gets in her bath at night. I can toggle it so I can check things or post about my existing books, which is VERY tempting to toggle, but I know I’m only getting notifications during the day from email or an actual text message or call.
Also, in terms of social media, I didn’t stalk agents.
I turned off my mobile data. Which means a. I’m not burning even minuscule amounts of data as push notifications come in. Or I can’t accidentally leave Chrome open on my phone and have it burning all day. B. I only see email notifications when I’m on wifi. So if I’m at the park or on a walk with my daughter. I’m not seeing potential emails from my agent. Or a lack of emails, either.
Focusing on the next book. I hear this advice all the time for querying authors or authors on sub. And I think when I was querying, it was so hard to concentrate on a new book because the idea of getting a deal seemed so intangible. But being on sub, it felt more real. And in my mind, I was thinking, if I have a mostly done manuscript, then is it more likely to get a two-book deal? So as I was waiting for final confirmation, we were on sub, waiting for initial responses, which helped.
I also got better at giving myself permission to read for fun. That not every second of my day had to be allocated to the most optimal thing.
Feeling out of control/ envious of other authors: time to start promoting and lifting up other authors. Putting good karma out!
Crafting- paint by numbers and now book bedazzling
Watching the ERAs tour on Disney+ A LOT!
I’m learning French

In general, learning to NOT look at my phone was the best thing for me. And I think it’s probably good for all of us in general. My agent is based in London. I’m on the East Coast of the US. In a lot of our back and forth, if I didn’t have an email from her when I woke up, it was unlikely I would get one the rest of the day. So my mindset shifted to, hey no news today, move on to the next thing. Or once it was past noon my time I knew she wasn’t working the rest of the day, I could forget about hearing anything until the next day.

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjvBO4kjuBSYe6Bi3RYQAQA/join

Music from: Wondershare Filmora Sounds: “Something Cheer You Up”