Perhaps I should title this question 'How Do You Let Go of Your Story?'
I have done everything I need to do to submit my MS to agents so many times that I think I have lost count, but each time i get ready to send it I chicken out.
For those of you who have sent work these niggles must have plagued you too, how did you overcome them?
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Carla has given good advice I think.
Like you I find it difficult to send my work out there. While it remains with you it's safe, with limitless potential, but once it's under scrutiny... eeek!
I'm not in a position to attend workshops, festivals or utilise pay-for services but I certainly would if I could. I'm ploughing through what I hope is a final edit of my MS at the moment and will just grit my teeth and send it to a clutch of agents, a few at a time. That will still allow the opportunity to make changes before trying the next clutch.
Best of luck. Have you got an excerpt on here?
There comes a time when you need to let go and trust. If you've revised, edited, deleted, added, amended, perfected it and feel it's ready - then do it. The chickening out is fear of rejection.
You could send it out to half a dozen agents and see what feedback you get;
Attend a Literary Festival (York in September) and book a meeting with an agent;
Writers Workshop offer paid editorial for the full MS or for just the first 3 chapters.
If you don't let go and send it you'll be forever editing.
See, as far as I know, it entirely depends on your satisfaction with the story. If you feel satisfied, then the story has ended. Else, something else remains to be tapped. :)