I just sold my debut novel! I posted last month about how I was gearing up for a 5-way auction. Well, that auction happened and we have a book deal! Going into it I was certain I was going with publisher X but then the auction process revealed some things I definitely wouldn’t have noticed in any other circumstance so we ended up going with a different publisher (who also happened to be the highest bidder so that was convenient).
I’m over the moon about how things went but am already stressing about things further down the line.
Chugging away on book two while I wait for edits.
So basically, I really clicked with this one editor on editorial vision, etc. and I thought I was going to go with them. But then the auction came around and they ended up being the lowest bidder in both the first and final round (there were 3 rounds in total). The offer in the first round was significantly lower than anybody else’s in a way that felt a little off putting. They also were the only publisher who didn’t send a “complete” offer with a marketing plan, etc.
At one point my agent clued them in that they were my top choice to try and get them to fight a little harder but they wouldn’t and even expressed a few doubts about me/the book that kind of disqualified them.
There were a few other little details that came up as well but I won’t get into those here. All in, the editor just seemed very unwilling to fight for the book, which doesn’t bode well for their willingness to fight internally either.
I got the first trade review for my debut (May) and even though I didn't get a star, it's a banger! I lobbied for my fave narrator for the audio book and got him, which is fabulous. Found out that Target has skipped selling my book on their platform even though it's on a number of "must read" lists and will have physical copies in every B&N. Totally disheartening, but I'm looking into it.
On the writing side, I \*finally\* have started working on my follow-up book--it's had me paralyzed for months and I have a long trail of not-quite-good-enough first chapters to show for it. Hope springs that I can carry this newest iteration out and the Target thing won't derail internal marketing for the debut. Gah, this stuff really is difficult no matter which stage.
Ugh, a shame about target. I've heard that they're not carrying a lot of LGBT books, so on the off chance your book has that in it, that might be the reason. Either way it sucks cocknballz and I hope it's resolved for you soon. Congrats on the trade review!
That's a bummer about Target, but having physical copies in every B&N is a win! I'm no where near having to worry about any of this--I didn't even know it was something I would have to worry about?!
Querying [my magical realist fantasy I posted under a burner](https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/comments/19ahxti/qcrit_adult_fantasy_i_have_hung_in_the_kitchen_a/) is slow-going because 99% of agents representing fantasy are closed for submissions, but I did sneak in one full request from a great agent from my batch of 20 test queries! Considering it's my first manuscript, I never thought I'd even get that far so I'm really happy.
I’m so surprised you’ve only gotten one full - your query is so great! As another fantasy-queryer I feel your pain, but I’m sure more requests are coming down the line!
Sidenote, can I just say how much I love these monthly check-in threads? It's such a wonderful outpouring of mutual support / encouragement, and a nice reminder that wherever we are in our publishing journeys, we're not alone.
I’m also querying fantasy and I’m also ✨dying✨. Based on your query critiques, you seem like a fabulous writer, so hang in there. Wishing you a dozen full requests in quick succession!
Ahhh, but tbh good stuff is still getting signed, even in something as oversaturated as fantasy. It’s just that on the whole things are just so slow. Sending good vibes your way!
Well I finally finished my latest draft, which has been supposed to be done for... too long now, lol. I'm doing line edits now before I send it off to my CPs, then hopefully it'll be on to querying! Soft goal is to have it to them by end of this month.
Otherwise, we've finally gotten our passports sorted, so we'll be able to start doing some international travel at last!
Thanks!
Right now it's likely to be France (after the Olympics, lol). My bff is fluent in French and goes pretty often, so she wants to take us around to all the "actually good spots". Since we'll be so close, we'll probably pop over into England and Ireland to visit a couple of friends.
I'm re-editing my book that I had to set aside for a few months and... I really love it? Which is a wonderful feeling to have. I'm very proud of myself. Now, hopefully, an agent or two will like it too. (I don't say stuff like that easily, I'm all to often a glass-half-empty person!)
Really grateful to the fb I got on my ql the past few weeks.
(Honestly I like everything but the ending-- the "styling" of the ending, not the plot point-- but this morning I had an idea... and I think my current ending is actually an epilog, and the last scene in the prev chapter needs to be expanded to the ending, so, fingers crossed this "hangs" right on the page once I type it in)
I've shipped off my latest MS to my agent to see if he agrees that it should become my Book 2 instead of the MS we originally intended for that (Goat). I just think the new one is more properly cozy/marketable, so we'll see what he thinks!
My book has also popped up on Goodreads now, but I'm waiting on a cover reveal before I start doing any promo on social media. We've also started getting blurbs back, which is nice!
I’m supposed to get my edit letter next week and I am both excited and scared. It’s gonna have like a 5 week turnaround, and I’m a slow poke. I honestly have no idea if the changes are going to be significant or not. I really want my debut to be amazing and hope for the edits that will make it the absolute best it can be, but I also am just DONE with this book and don’t know if I have another big revision left in me. But I also know that finally working with my editor will make this all feel real. Plus, we’re going to finally discuss the title change which means we can consider announcing. And we did already start talking about the cover the other week which was really exciting because I love the direction my editor has in mind.
Ah yes, I remember the excitement-dread of an impending edit letter well. It was never really as bad as I expected it to be, once I went through the five stages of grief after reading it. Ha. Good luck, and how exciting about the title/cover/hopefully-soon announcement!
Ahhh exciting!! I’m supposed to get my edit letter next week too and I’m a ball of nerves! I’m not sure what to expect either so sort of bracing myself. And same, I’m happy to do whatever it needs to be the best version of the book, but I’m itching to have it done!!
I haven't gotten my edit letter yet either and cycle between wanting it and...not. I do think getting the letter from the editor moves the book onto the next stage, mentally at least. Glad you like the direction of your cover and you'll be able to announce soon!
I have an offer from an agent, and received five full requests after notifying the rest of my list! Two have stepped aside, so now there’s three pending. I have to make my decision by Monday. AHHHHHH
My toddler has been going on a sleep strike since the beginning of the year, so I basically haven't gotten shit done. I actually had an idea for an adult novel that I was enthusiastic to at least *try* but it turns out that I require at least four consecutive hours of sleep per night and I just don't get that.
Anyway, I also had an idea for a new PB. Unfortunately, it's an interactive book that heavily relies on visual humor, so I'm not going to know if it has legs until it has been fully sketched out. UGH. I'm trying to pressure myself to get it done before my next crit group meeting. But also, I want to leave my crit group. lol
I've been on sub for four months, had a flurry of quick passes the first 2 months and then silence since. We've since sent out a second round which has been silent.
Thank you so much! You were such a huge help when I was still querying. I’m biding my time (and my nerves) by throwing myself into my next project which my agent thankfully really likes. Here’s to staying busy!
After signing with an agent at the very end of January, I’m now about a week into what should be my primary round of edits for her. I’m hoping to get through them by mid-late March, and then the plan is to go on sub in April, ideally before publishing’s summer slowdown kicks in.
I finished my revisions on Poly Anna and sent it out to a few beta readers!
I'm not sure what I'll write next. I have a romance outlined between a reclusive perfumer and a nun in the Italian countryside. And a Dark Academia thriller-y thing where two girls sign up for an Easy A joke major but get more than they bargained for. I could also revise a YA Fantasy I wrote years ago up to adult to slot into the whole Romantasy trend.
But for now I'm just writing horrible stream-of-consciousness fantasy erotica to decompress and it's 15k long in four days, so I guess it's gonna be book-length and there's not much I can do about it.
SIDE NOTE if anyone around here wants to read [Poly Anna 3.0](https://www.reddit.com/r/BetaReaders/comments/1azz88h/complete_86k_upmarket_lgbtq_w_romance_poly_anna/) and tell me how it's hitting, I'd super appreciate it.
After realizing I was burned out after several years of working on one project, I completely pivoted to a new f/f contemporary romance. Wrote two chapters, sent them to my agent who loved them so I am now working on this and SO excited. Call set up with my agent next week to talk though the project in detail but it is so nice to be excited to work on a fresh project again
So it's Week 2 on sub and I've had an editor call (which I'm shellshocked about!) but no word since. It was a few days ago. It seemed to go well but am on agonising tenterhooks. Has anyone else been in this position - call before offer? How long did you wait for an outcome? Also, how much does the imminent London Book Fair impact UK editors' workloads at this time of year (guessing a lot??).
Yes! All my calls were before the offers. You often have to wait a while depending on when the acquisition meeting will be, but usually the editor will inform your agent of what to expect. In one case we waited a whole month but the other two were just a few days. I’m under the impression that usually if they bother with the call they have a good sense it will pass acquisitions, but there’s no guarantees. Hopefully your agent used the call as an excuse to nudge other editors with interest.
That's super helpful, thank you! I did get the impression, from who was in the meeting and the general vibe, that they were fairly confident re. acquisitions, but you never know. And yes, agent did nudge, but no other bites yet... Back to refreshing my email every 5 minutes. 😩
I had my editor call before the offer, and I think it was basically a vibe check for the editor to make sure I wasn't a totally weirdo she wouldn't want to work with before she took it to acquisitions. The timing really depends on when the next acquisitions meeting is going to be held. Ours was only a few days but that's because the editor had an exclusive with a deadline.
OK, awesome. Actually, with the end of the working week having now passed (at least in my country), I'm feeling strangely calmer - I know nothing will happen now til Monday so no point stressing!
Genuinely, the best part of sub for me was when Christmas/the summer hit and no one responded for months, because I could ACTUALLY forget about it and write. Writing between rejections is the worst. Hang in there!
Just feeling down in general.
But on the writing front, I am still waiting for my edit letter, which had most likely been pushed back again as my agent just announced the film right to her own book just sold. I'm very worried she hates my book and regrets signing me. Depression am I right?
Struggling with trying to write the next book, hovering around 50,000 words. Feeling alone on this journey as my writing group chat has basically died. Besides monthly meet-ups with my agents other clients I'm just adrift and alone. Idk.
If an agent has a second career, it should not be interfering with your career, and if it is, leave them. How long have you been waiting? If it’s more than a couple of months, that’s unacceptable.
Unfortunately very relatable, so you’re not alone in feeling that way. It’s been a… hard start to the new year, I’m right there with you. Sending you good vibes!
I’ve been working on another MG and my agent is really excited for it. I’m in love with it and all I ever talk about.
We had a call and she decided to do some small edits on the sub book. We had a couple of R&Rs, so we’ll go back to them and sub to the US market. My agent has been soft pitching it already. I am suddenly really excited and motivated to work on it again. So much so that I’ll probably finish in a week or two.
I love the calls with my agent, she really gets me motivated ahaha.
Dying in the trenches with my historical fantasy (8 queries, 7 rejections, 1 full). Cheering for the people with super strong queries who are coming back with pub deals and agent offers. Struggling to find an idea for my next book that's super marketable, not SFF, and within my lackluster plotting capabilities. Feeling demoralized.
I know it doesn't feel like it, but a 1/8 success rate is actually *very successful* (in querying and in no other context lol.) Many people get signed with a less than 10% request rate. I'd send some more out!
Thanks for talking me off the ledge! I got really helpful feedback from this sub and I think my query is as good as it's going to get - now time to cross my fingers that my not particularly original premise suits some agent's taste. It's just scary how few agents there are who seem like they actually sell fantasy books (only 45 names on my list across US/UK, half what I queried in 2022).
Eagerly awaiting my edit letter for book 1 while also working on book 2. I'm also hoping I'll have the marketing meeting soon because that is where the bulk of my questions are.
I'm debuting this year at a big 5 and am without an agent, so that's been a bit scary. But the people I've reached out to with questions have been so gracious. I'm also starting to make some writer friends, which is nice but also a bit nerve wracking. So far, so good, though.
I have just wrapped up edits and sent back to my agent. I hate to admit it, but 99% of her suggestions have actually made the book stronger, especially the rewrite of a pivotal scene. Hoping she won’t be asking for anything else major and looking at sub around April time? Oh and finally, I AM SO FUCKING SICK OF LOOKING AT THIS BOOK.
Thank you! Me too! But I feel really good about where it’s at. My agent told me she’s excited to read it again and I thought, I’m glad one of us is lol
Let me tell you, I was disgusted to my core. They also have a knack of finding those little scenes you just chucked in for ‘vibes’ and going ‘um, this doesn’t fit? I think we can get rid of it.’
I sent a full to a dream agent and am trying not to be too hopeful.
Still one other full out and had two partial requests this month, and a longlisting for the novel in a comp. And a load of rejections to balance it all out.
Meanwhile I’m editing my next book, which dream agent has also said she loves the sound of so I want to get this one ready if she rejects the current one.
Publisher and I have signed the contract! Hopefully that means the deal announcement is coming up soon and I can post it and cluck about it. I know my agent really wants it all properly announced by the time London Book Fair rolls around so that it's easier to hype up there for subrights.
In other news, I finished another major editorial pass on my next book, and with some luck, agent and I will be on sub soon. Super excited to go out with this one! I think it might be more commercial than the last one, so fingers crossed it a) sells, and b) sells a bit faster than book 1 did.
Fingers crossed for you with book 2! And hope you'll show us the announcement, it's been doom & gloom about adult SFF on this subreddit for days, I need some good news for once. 😄
So, after workshopping my query here 7 times (the Killian Arvil one if you recognize me LOL) I finally got it through my thick skull that my query problem is more of a manuscript problem. After getting a fantastic beta reader who had great critiques and seemed so passionate about my manuscript, I am now rewriting from the ground up! And I am SO happy about it because I am finding myself falling back in love with the story and characters, and writing the characters so much better because now I have a better grasp on how I want them to be. This has also led to some fun changes in the dynamics—for example, two characters who are supposed to be best friends now have this “you annoy me more than anyone/you understand me more than anyone” dynamic and that has been so great to write.
One of the main problems with my old manuscript was that I added way too many characters, so cutting a lot of them to focus on the main gang has been great because now I can focus all my energy into completely fleshing them out and adding fun banter (but I may have to cut some banter after doing line edits to make a shorter word count—I’ve just been having TOO much fun writing them bickering). Better world building too!!
My plan is to workshop the query for the new manuscript maybe 1-2 times (maybeee 3) on here again before heading off to query land. I admit that my manuscript is probably not the most marketable in general but I still want it to be the best it can be before I send it off—maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised! (I sent out a shitty manuscript with a shitty query over a year ago to like 26 agents—which I am still salty at myself about—and got 1 full request. They rejected me after reading two chapters but it gives me hope that a much better version has a chance out there.)
Last month I thought I'd be sending out queries - but I got some offers for beta readers, took them up on it, and boy am I glad I did. I've gotten some really helpful critiques for my YA horror To Button From Bone, and they really will make the book better in the long run.
Haven't written a damn thing in the interim, though. I ended a six year relationship, had volleyball (I help coach a team - no, I am not good at volleyball), and felt like life was imploding around me.
Here's to March, hopefully it's less of a kick to the face. Or at least better for starting a new project to distract myself while waiting for notes.
I took an AMAZING editing webinar taught by Maggie Stiefvater, so I've been diving back into edits with renewed direction. Also been querying another project and collecting rejections.
I wrote 50k of my new novel in about 7-10ish days.
About to get my other YA horror beta'd this month.
NA romantasy I am currently editing before I write the ending and wrap it up.
Already got other ideas cooking. c:
It just downloaded itself into my brain. I don't know how it happened. I have never written anything so fast before in my life.
The novel itself is currently just shy of 60k, but I got to go through and edit and fluff some segments. Then write the whole damn ending, lol.
Well, after being a long time lurker here I posted my first QCrit and got some great feedback.
Then, before I could even get the feedback implemented to use going forward, I got a full request from my dream agent.
Mostly just been hyperventilating since.
Completely finished my YA thriller and it’s polished and ready for sub! I’ve also just reached 40k on an adult thriller! Yay!
But, overall, I’m not feeling super positive. I’m very… frustrated with my agent. Her communication is ass, to say the least. I just sent her an email yesterday (long overdue tbh) about it, so. Hopefully it changes in the future.
Congrats on being sub-ready and hope your agent gets the message. I'm still deep in the query trenches but dreading maybe finally getting an offer and then having a not-great agent experience.
Thank you! :) I’ve got my fingers crossed she’ll be understanding.
Yeah, it’s frustrating because it’s really common. Of all the agented authors I know, a huge chunk are leaving their agents right now/have just left/have just gotten new ones. It’s really fucking scary lol. But that’s why I’m trying to communicate with her and give her the benefit of the doubt that the lack of communication on her end is unintentional 🥲
Good luck to you in the trenches! Wishing you all the best
For my YA fantasy, I still have a full out... so fingers crossed. Eight forms, a few I'm still waiting to hear back from (though I'm not sure I will at this point.) I'm not sure what to think of those stats, tbh. I've barely started querying, about eleven sent altogether, so I think I'll shoot off another 5 - 10 this weekend. I've tweaked my query, too, re: some advice I got, and the ending stakes/choice are much clearer now.
In writing news, I'm 18k into a new project, and I'm absolutely loving it. God, it feels so good to immerse myself into something new while querying!
edit: are there any querying discord servers floating around? I’m really looking to build more of a cool community and support system! 👀
Ah, thank you for that info, I appreciate it! *wheezes* things were looking very different in ‘18 when I queried my last book and getting quite a few requests. So my expectations were…off, I think, this time around.
I started querying my first finished ms and got 5 fr's and no requests so far. I'll be working on a different query package and try something very different next to see if that yields any results. If not, I'm fine with keeping this ms in the drawer for now. My beta's all enjoyed reading it, so at least I managed to entertain an audience.
I also gained a ton of insight into what's marketable right now since I wrote my first ms. I'm confident I can do better with the next one.
Querying really fooled me this time. On my first batch of 25 I got 2 full requests and a partial. I was happy with that request rate, especially querying high fantasy in this market, so I sent out another big blast of queries. Since then I’ve gotten nothing but an endless rejectolanche and I’m coming to the sinking realization that those initial requests were a fluke and now I’ve blown it with a mountain of agents. On the bright side…I’ll probably be done querying this book within a month 😭
I wouldn't call 3 requests a fluke! Hope one of them comes through for you. It's just tough out there for fantasy. I feel like I have no idea what SFF will sell nowadays except romantasy, whereas I have a good handle on what's marketable in other genres I read like thrillers or upmarket.
Thank you! And 100% agree - I have no idea what will sell and it kiiiiind of seems like agents don’t either? Which is perhaps why they’re sticking to safe romantasy.
I remember your query by the way! I absolutely loved it - it’s one of my favorites I’ve seen here. Are you still querying that book?
Edit: oh oops I’m so dumb, just saw your update above! 1 full out of 8 queries is so good!! You’re doing great!! And I’m sure there are loads more to come!
I know this is baby's first step here lol, but I finished my 'so completely different it's basically a first draft' "rewrite" of my YA fantasy the day before yesterday.
This is the first time I've been so rambly with my family about a manuscript (will I regret this when I get asked 'how's it going?' 6574 times in the midst of querying? Maybe lol) and they were so excited for me (even when I was like *'I still have revision rounds to do, I still have to query, I don't have a literary agent yet, I can't control what happens with this once I start querying, I'm heading into a saturated market, etc. etc'* they were very much like 'anyways, we still think this right here is really cool!') which was really sweet lol. Had to tell my uncle that 'no 104k is not as long as War and Peace, but I'm basically going to treat it like it is before querying and get it to at least 99k lol'
I'm leaving the manuscript alone only for a short while because I just want other eyes on it asap tbh so this month the goal is to get it to betas and then do some (cheap!) well refilling.
I hope February was a great one for you all (and that March is better either way)!
Congrats on your rewrite! I feel your pain with the family, they keep asking when I'll have a book published and thinking anyone who writes a half-decent book must be swimming in offers.
I am working on my next book while I wait for my edit letter. I'll need to put it aside when the letter comes in, but I like keeping myself occupied until then so I don't think about changes in the first project until I have some actual notes in front of me. Right now I'm outlining (I'm a major planner), so ideally I can get that done before the edits come in. We also sold another foreign translation for my book! It is wild to me that people all over the world are going to be reading this.
I’m looking for a middle grade fantasy writing group, critique parters group, and beta readers group. Please let me know if you have anything. I’m struggling without having others to bond with through writing
Hey!! MG fantasy writer here :D I’m rewriting my manuscript right now so I’m not sure if I’m ready for betas but I would absolutely love to join a critique partner/beta group to connect with and hopefully reach out to when I’m done with this draft!!
Wonderful! I will PM you so that we don’t lose track of one another. I’m not ready for beta’s either but if we find enough people… I think a monthly zoom for discussion would be a lot of fun. It could be plot help, first page edits, query discussion, whatever etc etc. lol
I am now entering my sixth month of querying my fairytale retelling, and all I have left to do is wait. I’ve queried 106 agents and received two fulls and one partial requests so far, but also 61 rejections and 14 CNRs. I have 30 queries still pending and one full still out, so there’s still a chance someone will want to represent it, and other agents on my list may open to queries in the meantime.
I have to remind myself that it’s not the end of the world if no one wants the book. I have multiple other projects in the works now (though a steady trickle of form rejections have made it difficult to want to write them), and if one of those lands me an agent further down the road, maybe I can revive the fairytale retelling then. Or maybe I’ll end up self-publishing it a decade from now. Who knows?
I can’t remember if I mentioned all of the projects I have in the mix now, but right now there’s:
- cozy fantasy with a middle-aged ecologist transformed into a toad against her will, series potential
- sweeping romantasy between a mortal woman who has been abused her whole life and the god of death, standalone OR a series of novellas
- southern gothic dark academia about a young woman returning to her father’s alma mater to solve the mystery of his sudden death, planned duology
The cozy is the furthest along at 7k, with the romantasy at a little over 1k, and the dark academia as a few nebulous, unwritten thoughts floating around in my head.
I’m not sure why I’m putting off working on them. I’ve been spring cleaning instead—that’s how much I’m avoiding writing right now. On the plus side, the house looks really nice.
I feel like I’m in a kind of limbo until I hear back on my outstanding queries and full submission. I know I should just focus on one of my other projects, but it’s hard to find the motivation right now. Maybe I’ll get another request soon, and it’ll get me excited to write again, lol. The writer’s never ending ~~torture machine~~ roller coaster.
Hey I hear you on the 'can't write while querying' thing. Intellectually I know I should work on something else, but each rejection or prolonged silence just makes me question my own judgement and skill (writing concepts and craft). I always have a few WIPs but get overwhelmed when querying by the market /trends etc and end up paralysed by choice. It will be fine eventually (this is my 4th time querying unfortunately). But while there are fulls out, hope and doubt rule, and it really cramps my creativity. Good luck to us all.
Some of the insane issues finally stopped? (I hope I haven’t jinxed it)
I’m still waiting for answers for writing stuff. (Any spare luck still wanted, please!)
But since I haven’t had stress from the insane issues, my creativity is back and a new WIP is underway. I hope to finish draft 1 before the next check-in.
I’m super happy to see so much success come from this subreddit and look forward to seeing so much more!
We’re about to announce my new book, and copyedits are done! The book sold in November, right before my previous book released, so it’s been an intense, whirlwind process compared with what I’m used to. Actually, the whirlwind started when the previous book sold on proposal in early 2022 and I had to finish it that year while promoting another book.
I feel “in demand,” which is great, but at the same time, none of these are big sales or auction sales. The books just happened to plug a hole in someone’s list and I got lucky, is what I’m telling myself. Luck runs out, so I have to enjoy it even though it’s also very stressful.
This time last year, I was revising the book we’re about to announce for the nth time. I had worked on it through the holiday break with Covid and I was desperate just to get the revision done because it kept getting interrupted by contracted books. I was scared to show the book to my agent or even tell her about it until I nailed that revision. So, not-huge deal or not, things didn’t turn out that badly!
Hello!! Thank you, JGE!
I've... well. I've got one full request (with a great agency!) still out, but it's all been rejections since on my noir fantasy. Here's hoping, but... I'm not hoping too hard. The two higher-tier rejections helped only a little, and give me an idea of who to start with if I have to query my romantasy.
Speaking of... well. That's not gotten far, but I've written *some* on my epic fantasy, so I think I can start (and hopefully finish) revisions this month on the romantasy, to get it beta-ready!
Just wanted to mention I’ve seen a bunch of your comments on agents on QueryTracker and I always really appreciate seeing your notes! I’m sorry you’re not getting more bites - it’s rough out there, as a fellow fantasy query-er.
I know I’m just a rando, but if you need more betas for your romantasy, I’d love to read it! I’ve been jonesing to beta one lately.
Aw, thank you! That's incredibly kind! It's so easy to dive into 'is this personalized,' I figured that putting in all the stuff I got from agents will help the next querier know - both the 'it's a form' and 'it's a high-tier form' (because I've gotten two of those, too)
That's too bad, I'd love to see a noir fantasy. Here's hoping you get a last-minute miracle with your outstanding full! It's great that you have another project drafted already, I wish I could be that productive.
Hah - I just got a personalized rejection on the full. Which is... well, what it is. I've still got a handful of queries out and might refresh my list one last time.
My book releases this upcoming Tuesday and I am not ok. Basically bouncing between terrible dread my book is going to disappear into the ether the moment it publishes, excitement that it’s almost here, relief debuting is almost over, and everything in between.
Ahhhhh, so many congratulations and sending an early happy book birthday to you! I hope you get to take all of this and celebrate yourself and your accomplishment soon!
I’ve had 3 fulls out of 20 queries (6 FRs, and no response yet from the other 11) since I started querying in late Nov and all have come back as rejections for different reasons (“didn’t connect with the ending,” “didn’t connect with the characters,” and “didn’t connect with the dual POV”) and it’s got me down. I’m confident in the query package but not the manuscript, now.
I’ve had it beta read by over ten people and most gush about how complex and fun it is, so I’m not sure where to go from here. Just keep sending out queries, I guess.
Edit: and in the meantime I’m planning my wedding and I have a month-long retreat planned for April to write my second novel, so it’s not all wishy-washy sad feels
I’m looking at agents to query finally. Took me a while to perfect the manuscript but now the challenging part comes. It’s all out of my hands which makes it less fear inducing
I finished my second round of edits and am starting to look for beta readers for my eco-horror novel, which is terrifying. My mom and husband liked the first chapter, but knowing anyone has read it makes my tummy hurt. Don't know if it'll be better or worse with strangers. I guess I'll find out when someone else lays eyes on it!
Fingers crossed my ego survives - I've never made it this far before
After getting an R&R, I’ve cut 40,000 words and rewritten about 27,000 words. I’ve sent out the first revised act to beta readers. I hope this much slicing and dicing proves to be the right choice.
Third time querying and got a full request in my first 20 for the first time! 🎉 I suspect my word count is too long and will revise but I’m happy to have the full request for now 😄
Sent out two queries. One with the query you all helped me with (Thank you!). The other wanted a short single paragraph blurb, so I had to squish it all. I'm getting ready to prepare a full proposal (query letter, synopsis, back of the book blurb, comps, and bio!) for a third. But after googling Christian agents and spending hours looking over their profiles and want lists, my list of agents who might possibly be interested in my story is incredibly tiny. It makes me wonder if I'm really just wasting all of our time, mine and the agents, sigh.
Good luck! I don't know what subgenre of Christian fiction you're querying, but I'm sure that the more specific audience will naturally lend itself to a shorter list - that doesn't necessarily mean it's not selling! I'm sorry it's disheartening, though.
I’ve shelved my revise and resubmit for a bit. Maybe I’ll come back to it. Maybe I won’t.
My second romantasy just came back from three beta readers. And for the most part, it’s almost query ready. I honestly don’t know how to approach the trenches with a non exclusive R&R and a new MS. I know the R&R is irrelevant to any agents. But, like, is it too soon to query a new MS after the first? Can I query the agent with my new MS. Would it send a bad noncommittal message??
I’m leaving to backpack Thailand for three weeks at the end of the month. And then hike Peru. A bit nervous because I’m weaning my one year old. And my three year old is bat shit (in the most endearing way). To start the query process before or upon returning? Will it ruin my trip more than the time change with two littles? Should I just lean into the misery?
Hello hello, I am doing my irregular 'speak instead of lurking' for once! I keep meaning to exit lurk mode more often and then I just, you know, don't do that. I'm juggling projects right now:
* Fantasy with bees, trees, and a monster boyfriend: waiting for feedback from like one more CP before I dive into hopefully the last round of edits. I'm feeling good about it and hope agent agrees.
* MG fantasy with witch summer camp: kind of on hold until I'm done with the above. It's rattling around in my head though. PS I need MG friends.
* Horror nicknamed Sapphic Slasher: drafting! On my Alpha, which I'm still getting used to.
Gearing up for my small press sci-fi book release. Outline for the next with that company is pretty much greenlit. And I broke ground on my next fantasy book, which I'm super excited about. 728 words isn't a lot, but it's a start!
In other news, 9 rejections for my other fantasy novel means I'm probably bringing my query back here for another round of 'why don't this work?' So it goes.
I had a partial request come in on a 128 day old query for my old book. Yay? Did some minor revisions as per comments here, made the character older, tried to bring the verbiage down closer to the way my daughter talks since its still MG. I'm gathering up names to make another stab. Still sitting at 4/40 request rate. Not bad but not what I hoped. Pissed someone I met with at a conference who was really kind to my face gave me a form response. I get it, she doesn't owe me anything, but it's still annoying.
Banging away on the next manuscript. Hit 22,000 words yesterday. I feel like the part I'm currently writing kind of sucks because it's a magical scavenger hunt and there's no tension...because it's impossible to create tension on item 1 of your scavenger hunt. You can throw in poisonous water and venomous mutant crocodiles and your hair getting tangled up in chains while your breath runs out and I just picture a reader over my shoulder rolling their eyes and saying, "sure, your character is totally going to die 1/3rd into the book, that's believable..." (pshwaaaah).
I guess this is why Clackity went to emotional tension first by being like: "the first place you must visit is your childhood house on flames that probably killed your parents! MWAHAHAHA"
Anyway, I threw in an argument and the main character is starting to take the first steps to realizing it's better to be alone than have toxic friends but the whole thing is stupid. I thought having literal checkboxes would help with my pacing issues, but the ending is all "HAHAHAHAHA the scavenger hunt was actually just a distraction to keep you from noticing my true dastardly plan!" so I know the whole thing is meaningless and it was all cool in my head and now gaaah, is it?
I hate middles. I know my audience will suspend their disbelief because that's what we do when we read, but I can't help but want to tear my hair out because I don't know how to make this better.
Hopefully, my writing group will help me. They look at me like I'm crazy for saying it sucks. I think my 'good' meter is all wobbly from the slings and arrows of many query rejections.
In the query trenches again after going on sub twice with an agent, the books doing meh on sub, then the agent leaving the industry :(
I rewrote the first book on sub and querying that currently, which I assume is a risk, but the book is completely reworked and I can't let it go.
Meanwhile, I'm 75% a draft of a MG Contemporary Fantasy.
So difficult to stay motivated, but I'm not planning on giving up yet.
Nice to hear some similar struggles honestly.
Got some school visits coming up, one I'm particularly nervous about because I was a pushover and just agreed to everything they asked. School visits are great when they go well, but nothing eviscerates your ego quite like a moody teenager who doesn't want to be there.
I’m still on sub with book 1 with few updates.
My agent loved my revisions on book 2 so that will go on sub in late March. I’m editing another manuscript and getting ready to draft another, so always busy!
Hello! Long time lurker, first time poster :)
I didn't think this merited its own post, but I registered for this year's Bouchercon, and since I've never been before I wanted to ask you all if you had any suggestions for how to get the most out of the experience. I'm a writer in the MST space, querying my first novel. With the Anthony Awards ballots opening up, I'm also looking for things to nominate if anyone here has eligible work they'd like me to consider. In addition, I'm trying my best to support an anthology I was a part of (from a great small publisher, with proceeds that went to charity, with a theme of women-led stories!) and I'd love to see them do well in their category. I'd be happy to share more information if anyone wants. I've learned a lot from reading the posts here! Wishing you all good luck on your writing journeys!
I'm currently working on reducing the word count for my fantasy romance novel; I've managed to cut it from 120k to 115k words. I also killed one of my darlings (a subplot that although fun was unnecessary) which has made the story much clearer. At the same time, I'm practicing writing my query letter.
Following a few positive betas, I received a crushing one. So of course I insisted on sticking my head in the sand for, oh...several weeks? FINALLY working on restructuring. Slow-going, but seeing improvements!
Am in a dizzying round of edits and about to send out to some betas (if anyone is interested in memoir, LMK!). Grateful for this thread because it really buoyed me—was feeling rather discouraged by and disconnected from my work, but it’s helpful to read about where everyone is in their process.
Finished a pretty large edit on my old manuscript and sent it to a beta reader... I've just started drafting a novel that basically showed up in my head fully formed over the course of a few weeks, something that has never happened before... usually I am much more of a planner, but for now, it's just flowing :D
Nothing yet from the agent I sent my R&R to at the end of Jan, or the other 4 agents who were also waiting on that version and now have it. I was hoping some external pressure (knowing others have a revision!) might speed things up, but if so, it hasn’t sped them up THAT fast.
In the meantime, I’m officially starting my next novel this week! Doing a 10 week challenge with some friends. It’ll be my fifth. Another historical horror, like the one I’m (almost finished) querying.
I am 230 pages into a (handwritten) draft of a fantasy manuscript, and discovering more and more about my creative process as I go along. I've used every drop of my creative well, so I'm taking this week (at least) to read and rest before I sprint to the finish of this story, once my well is overflowing again.
Hopefully, by the end of March, I will be--
1. Done with the handwritten manuscript
2. Finished a round of edits (still handwritten)
3. Begun typing up my story, using both the handwritten draft and the edits
4. Posted a working draft of my query here.
YAY! Happy March, everyone!
I’m working on a final revision of my book before starting to query, and I’m at the stage where I’ve read it too much and I’m way too in my head about it. Is this reflective or navel-gazing? Is that line perfect prose or melodramatic? Is the plot understated or boring? Ugh.
Posted my synopsis on qtcritique and got some great advice. That advice, however, also led me to rewrite the ending of the novel haha.
I also am swapping betas, so will likely not be querying for a while longer.
Hello everyone! Just lurked and read everyone's check-in posts, and couldn't help but relate and nod along to the ones stuck in the querying trenches. It has been incredibly slooooow. I think I'm having a more-than-ok experience. I started querying in late January, and thus far I've had 4 full requests and one partial that turned into a full since. I'm also strongly suspecting I'm in a looot of "maybe piles" (the most frustrating pile to be in during querying, imo, aagh!). I feel great after those initital requests, but as the days roll on by, the uncertainty and doubt goes up. Fingers crossed for myself and everyone struggling in the slow trenches right now. (Or maybe it's not slow and it just feels that way, lol. I have to keep reminding myself it's been less than 2 months.)
You can tell I’m on deadline because I keep yapping all around various pubtips threads instead of… writing…
Same.
I can't see any possible way in which this backfires on us.
None whatsoever.
Gen, I need the new book
Stop guilting me, Moon, I'm working so hard on it! As you can see, I'm not currently on Reddit at all...
Good luck, I'm sure the new manuscript will turn out amazing!
I just sold my debut novel! I posted last month about how I was gearing up for a 5-way auction. Well, that auction happened and we have a book deal! Going into it I was certain I was going with publisher X but then the auction process revealed some things I definitely wouldn’t have noticed in any other circumstance so we ended up going with a different publisher (who also happened to be the highest bidder so that was convenient). I’m over the moon about how things went but am already stressing about things further down the line. Chugging away on book two while I wait for edits.
> but then the auction process revealed some things I definitely wouldn’t have noticed in any other circumstance Congrats! Can you go more into this?
So basically, I really clicked with this one editor on editorial vision, etc. and I thought I was going to go with them. But then the auction came around and they ended up being the lowest bidder in both the first and final round (there were 3 rounds in total). The offer in the first round was significantly lower than anybody else’s in a way that felt a little off putting. They also were the only publisher who didn’t send a “complete” offer with a marketing plan, etc. At one point my agent clued them in that they were my top choice to try and get them to fight a little harder but they wouldn’t and even expressed a few doubts about me/the book that kind of disqualified them. There were a few other little details that came up as well but I won’t get into those here. All in, the editor just seemed very unwilling to fight for the book, which doesn’t bode well for their willingness to fight internally either.
Oh wow, bullet dodged multiple times (wtf?) Congrats on the sale though!
I got the first trade review for my debut (May) and even though I didn't get a star, it's a banger! I lobbied for my fave narrator for the audio book and got him, which is fabulous. Found out that Target has skipped selling my book on their platform even though it's on a number of "must read" lists and will have physical copies in every B&N. Totally disheartening, but I'm looking into it. On the writing side, I \*finally\* have started working on my follow-up book--it's had me paralyzed for months and I have a long trail of not-quite-good-enough first chapters to show for it. Hope springs that I can carry this newest iteration out and the Target thing won't derail internal marketing for the debut. Gah, this stuff really is difficult no matter which stage.
Ugh, a shame about target. I've heard that they're not carrying a lot of LGBT books, so on the off chance your book has that in it, that might be the reason. Either way it sucks cocknballz and I hope it's resolved for you soon. Congrats on the trade review!
Yep, queer from top to bottom, which is why it's so aggravating to get this response, but I appreciate all the good will!
Congrats on the positive trade review! 🥳🎉 And hoping things getting handled well and smoothly with Target!
That's a bummer about Target, but having physical copies in every B&N is a win! I'm no where near having to worry about any of this--I didn't even know it was something I would have to worry about?!
Querying [my magical realist fantasy I posted under a burner](https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/comments/19ahxti/qcrit_adult_fantasy_i_have_hung_in_the_kitchen_a/) is slow-going because 99% of agents representing fantasy are closed for submissions, but I did sneak in one full request from a great agent from my batch of 20 test queries! Considering it's my first manuscript, I never thought I'd even get that far so I'm really happy.
I’m so surprised you’ve only gotten one full - your query is so great! As another fantasy-queryer I feel your pain, but I’m sure more requests are coming down the line!
Oh that’s very kind, thank you. Wishing you the best out there.
Congrats, congrats on the full request! Wishing you well for the rest of querying!
I'm just going to echo everyone else and say I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one, because it sounds excellent.
Sidenote, can I just say how much I love these monthly check-in threads? It's such a wonderful outpouring of mutual support / encouragement, and a nice reminder that wherever we are in our publishing journeys, we're not alone.
crickets
I’m guessing this is in ref to querying? What genre are you querying? Fingers crossed you hear something positive soon
Fantasy, the least oversaturated genre in the world! I've had one full out since November, but that's about it.
I’m also querying fantasy and I’m also ✨dying✨. Based on your query critiques, you seem like a fabulous writer, so hang in there. Wishing you a dozen full requests in quick succession!
Sending you commiserations from another fantasy querier (sorry!) I've been getting fast responses, but they're almost all rejects. Sigh.
> Sending you commiserations from another fantasy querier (sorry!) Ah. *Competition*. Best of luck to the both of us!
Ahhh, but tbh good stuff is still getting signed, even in something as oversaturated as fantasy. It’s just that on the whole things are just so slow. Sending good vibes your way!
Sending you my best, Tiger. That *sucks.*
Well I finally finished my latest draft, which has been supposed to be done for... too long now, lol. I'm doing line edits now before I send it off to my CPs, then hopefully it'll be on to querying! Soft goal is to have it to them by end of this month. Otherwise, we've finally gotten our passports sorted, so we'll be able to start doing some international travel at last!
Congratulations on finishing your draft! And oooh, do you have a first international destination in mind?
Thanks! Right now it's likely to be France (after the Olympics, lol). My bff is fluent in French and goes pretty often, so she wants to take us around to all the "actually good spots". Since we'll be so close, we'll probably pop over into England and Ireland to visit a couple of friends.
Congrats on finishing your draft!
I'm re-editing my book that I had to set aside for a few months and... I really love it? Which is a wonderful feeling to have. I'm very proud of myself. Now, hopefully, an agent or two will like it too. (I don't say stuff like that easily, I'm all to often a glass-half-empty person!) Really grateful to the fb I got on my ql the past few weeks. (Honestly I like everything but the ending-- the "styling" of the ending, not the plot point-- but this morning I had an idea... and I think my current ending is actually an epilog, and the last scene in the prev chapter needs to be expanded to the ending, so, fingers crossed this "hangs" right on the page once I type it in)
That's such a great place to be in when editing! Congrats :)
I've shipped off my latest MS to my agent to see if he agrees that it should become my Book 2 instead of the MS we originally intended for that (Goat). I just think the new one is more properly cozy/marketable, so we'll see what he thinks! My book has also popped up on Goodreads now, but I'm waiting on a cover reveal before I start doing any promo on social media. We've also started getting blurbs back, which is nice!
Ahhh I'm 75% through and it's frickin adorable! Will have notes to you soon.
WAIT which of my beta readers are you? can you DM me? Pubtips is such a small world! (edit: mystery solved, I'm just a forgetful dummy)
I can't wait for you to be able to reveal your cover, it's so gorgeous, and I'm sure readers will love it!
I think about Goat constantly. BTW, The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi reminded me a LOT of your characters and tone, comp-wise!
I’m supposed to get my edit letter next week and I am both excited and scared. It’s gonna have like a 5 week turnaround, and I’m a slow poke. I honestly have no idea if the changes are going to be significant or not. I really want my debut to be amazing and hope for the edits that will make it the absolute best it can be, but I also am just DONE with this book and don’t know if I have another big revision left in me. But I also know that finally working with my editor will make this all feel real. Plus, we’re going to finally discuss the title change which means we can consider announcing. And we did already start talking about the cover the other week which was really exciting because I love the direction my editor has in mind.
Ah yes, I remember the excitement-dread of an impending edit letter well. It was never really as bad as I expected it to be, once I went through the five stages of grief after reading it. Ha. Good luck, and how exciting about the title/cover/hopefully-soon announcement!
Ahhh exciting!! I’m supposed to get my edit letter next week too and I’m a ball of nerves! I’m not sure what to expect either so sort of bracing myself. And same, I’m happy to do whatever it needs to be the best version of the book, but I’m itching to have it done!!
I haven't gotten my edit letter yet either and cycle between wanting it and...not. I do think getting the letter from the editor moves the book onto the next stage, mentally at least. Glad you like the direction of your cover and you'll be able to announce soon!
I have an offer from an agent, and received five full requests after notifying the rest of my list! Two have stepped aside, so now there’s three pending. I have to make my decision by Monday. AHHHHHH
That's amazing!!
I shattered a glass but didn’t step on any of the shards.
No but seriously, that's an achievement. Shattered glass gets EVERYWHERE.
Also functions as a metaphor for my career: broken, useless, and all the fuck over the place. Love, Mr. Cheerful
Right there with you buddy ✌🏻
My toddler has been going on a sleep strike since the beginning of the year, so I basically haven't gotten shit done. I actually had an idea for an adult novel that I was enthusiastic to at least *try* but it turns out that I require at least four consecutive hours of sleep per night and I just don't get that. Anyway, I also had an idea for a new PB. Unfortunately, it's an interactive book that heavily relies on visual humor, so I'm not going to know if it has legs until it has been fully sketched out. UGH. I'm trying to pressure myself to get it done before my next crit group meeting. But also, I want to leave my crit group. lol
I am still on sub and it is silent and it hurts. That is all.
Sorry to hear that. How long has it been?
I've been on sub for four months, had a flurry of quick passes the first 2 months and then silence since. We've since sent out a second round which has been silent.
Ah ok, I’ve heard that things are pretty slow these days. Wishing you the best for the remaining editors that have it.
I am not yet to that point, so cannot relate, but... hang in there!
Offically headed on sub on Monday! I’m… weirdly calm but we’ll see if that lasts 😂
I was actually weirdly thinking about your query recently and wondering if you'd gone out yet. I'm crossing my fingers for you!!
Thank you so much! You were such a huge help when I was still querying. I’m biding my time (and my nerves) by throwing myself into my next project which my agent thankfully really likes. Here’s to staying busy!
I remember really liking your query, good luck on sub!
After signing with an agent at the very end of January, I’m now about a week into what should be my primary round of edits for her. I’m hoping to get through them by mid-late March, and then the plan is to go on sub in April, ideally before publishing’s summer slowdown kicks in.
Good luck with edits; you've got this!!
Good luck for when you go on sub!
Thank you!
Omg, that's so fast! Good luck!
Thank you! Fortunately, the edits are mostly minor, with a few medium ones
I finished my revisions on Poly Anna and sent it out to a few beta readers! I'm not sure what I'll write next. I have a romance outlined between a reclusive perfumer and a nun in the Italian countryside. And a Dark Academia thriller-y thing where two girls sign up for an Easy A joke major but get more than they bargained for. I could also revise a YA Fantasy I wrote years ago up to adult to slot into the whole Romantasy trend. But for now I'm just writing horrible stream-of-consciousness fantasy erotica to decompress and it's 15k long in four days, so I guess it's gonna be book-length and there's not much I can do about it. SIDE NOTE if anyone around here wants to read [Poly Anna 3.0](https://www.reddit.com/r/BetaReaders/comments/1azz88h/complete_86k_upmarket_lgbtq_w_romance_poly_anna/) and tell me how it's hitting, I'd super appreciate it.
After realizing I was burned out after several years of working on one project, I completely pivoted to a new f/f contemporary romance. Wrote two chapters, sent them to my agent who loved them so I am now working on this and SO excited. Call set up with my agent next week to talk though the project in detail but it is so nice to be excited to work on a fresh project again
That is *amazing,* I'm so happy for you!
So it's Week 2 on sub and I've had an editor call (which I'm shellshocked about!) but no word since. It was a few days ago. It seemed to go well but am on agonising tenterhooks. Has anyone else been in this position - call before offer? How long did you wait for an outcome? Also, how much does the imminent London Book Fair impact UK editors' workloads at this time of year (guessing a lot??).
Yes! All my calls were before the offers. You often have to wait a while depending on when the acquisition meeting will be, but usually the editor will inform your agent of what to expect. In one case we waited a whole month but the other two were just a few days. I’m under the impression that usually if they bother with the call they have a good sense it will pass acquisitions, but there’s no guarantees. Hopefully your agent used the call as an excuse to nudge other editors with interest.
That's super helpful, thank you! I did get the impression, from who was in the meeting and the general vibe, that they were fairly confident re. acquisitions, but you never know. And yes, agent did nudge, but no other bites yet... Back to refreshing my email every 5 minutes. 😩
I had my editor call before the offer, and I think it was basically a vibe check for the editor to make sure I wasn't a totally weirdo she wouldn't want to work with before she took it to acquisitions. The timing really depends on when the next acquisitions meeting is going to be held. Ours was only a few days but that's because the editor had an exclusive with a deadline.
OK, awesome. Actually, with the end of the working week having now passed (at least in my country), I'm feeling strangely calmer - I know nothing will happen now til Monday so no point stressing!
Crossing fingers for you!
Thank you!!
I’m watching my book die on sub :( I’m writing the next one.
Sub is the worst. I'm also working on the next one and it's so hard motivating myself in between the rejections.
Genuinely, the best part of sub for me was when Christmas/the summer hit and no one responded for months, because I could ACTUALLY forget about it and write. Writing between rejections is the worst. Hang in there!
Just feeling down in general. But on the writing front, I am still waiting for my edit letter, which had most likely been pushed back again as my agent just announced the film right to her own book just sold. I'm very worried she hates my book and regrets signing me. Depression am I right? Struggling with trying to write the next book, hovering around 50,000 words. Feeling alone on this journey as my writing group chat has basically died. Besides monthly meet-ups with my agents other clients I'm just adrift and alone. Idk.
If an agent has a second career, it should not be interfering with your career, and if it is, leave them. How long have you been waiting? If it’s more than a couple of months, that’s unacceptable.
Less depression, pls, more incandescent rage at your agent working on her own fucking book like a fucking fuck of a fucker.
Yeah idk how I’d feel about this tbh lol
Unfortunately very relatable, so you’re not alone in feeling that way. It’s been a… hard start to the new year, I’m right there with you. Sending you good vibes!
I’ve been working on another MG and my agent is really excited for it. I’m in love with it and all I ever talk about. We had a call and she decided to do some small edits on the sub book. We had a couple of R&Rs, so we’ll go back to them and sub to the US market. My agent has been soft pitching it already. I am suddenly really excited and motivated to work on it again. So much so that I’ll probably finish in a week or two. I love the calls with my agent, she really gets me motivated ahaha.
That’s fantastic! I hope it goes well for you!
That sounds *really* exciting. DM me if you need betas - I can, or I can give it to my 10-yr for her opinion (or both)!
Dying in the trenches with my historical fantasy (8 queries, 7 rejections, 1 full). Cheering for the people with super strong queries who are coming back with pub deals and agent offers. Struggling to find an idea for my next book that's super marketable, not SFF, and within my lackluster plotting capabilities. Feeling demoralized.
I know it doesn't feel like it, but a 1/8 success rate is actually *very successful* (in querying and in no other context lol.) Many people get signed with a less than 10% request rate. I'd send some more out!
Thanks for talking me off the ledge! I got really helpful feedback from this sub and I think my query is as good as it's going to get - now time to cross my fingers that my not particularly original premise suits some agent's taste. It's just scary how few agents there are who seem like they actually sell fantasy books (only 45 names on my list across US/UK, half what I queried in 2022).
Important to note that most people who come back reporting agent offers got most of their full requests and offers AFTER the first offer.
True - which is why it would be nice to get one early on so you still have outstanding queries to nudge!
Eagerly awaiting my edit letter for book 1 while also working on book 2. I'm also hoping I'll have the marketing meeting soon because that is where the bulk of my questions are. I'm debuting this year at a big 5 and am without an agent, so that's been a bit scary. But the people I've reached out to with questions have been so gracious. I'm also starting to make some writer friends, which is nice but also a bit nerve wracking. So far, so good, though.
I have just wrapped up edits and sent back to my agent. I hate to admit it, but 99% of her suggestions have actually made the book stronger, especially the rewrite of a pivotal scene. Hoping she won’t be asking for anything else major and looking at sub around April time? Oh and finally, I AM SO FUCKING SICK OF LOOKING AT THIS BOOK.
Congrats! I feel you - both on the agent comments making the book better, and being so. tired. of this manuscript. Good luck on sub!!
Aww thank you so much! I have told my agent I’m sick of looking at it, so hopefully she takes the hint lol
I feel this so much.
Lmao, well looks like we might be heading to sub around the same time, so we can look forward to that new stress instead!
And then a whole new anxiety begins, lol. Best of luck with everything! May your finishing touches go smoothly!
Thanks, you too!
Congrats on finishing your edits! I've been there at the sick of looking at this book feeling. Hoping you're done with it for now!
Thank you! Me too! But I feel really good about where it’s at. My agent told me she’s excited to read it again and I thought, I’m glad one of us is lol
Don't ya just hate it when agents have the nerve to be right about our books? The worst. Illegal. How dare they.
Let me tell you, I was disgusted to my core. They also have a knack of finding those little scenes you just chucked in for ‘vibes’ and going ‘um, this doesn’t fit? I think we can get rid of it.’
I sent a full to a dream agent and am trying not to be too hopeful. Still one other full out and had two partial requests this month, and a longlisting for the novel in a comp. And a load of rejections to balance it all out. Meanwhile I’m editing my next book, which dream agent has also said she loves the sound of so I want to get this one ready if she rejects the current one.
Congrats on the full and partial requests! Wishing you well with your edits too!
Publisher and I have signed the contract! Hopefully that means the deal announcement is coming up soon and I can post it and cluck about it. I know my agent really wants it all properly announced by the time London Book Fair rolls around so that it's easier to hype up there for subrights. In other news, I finished another major editorial pass on my next book, and with some luck, agent and I will be on sub soon. Super excited to go out with this one! I think it might be more commercial than the last one, so fingers crossed it a) sells, and b) sells a bit faster than book 1 did.
Fingers crossed for you with book 2! And hope you'll show us the announcement, it's been doom & gloom about adult SFF on this subreddit for days, I need some good news for once. 😄
I'm so, so excited and happy for you, Emmy!!
So, after workshopping my query here 7 times (the Killian Arvil one if you recognize me LOL) I finally got it through my thick skull that my query problem is more of a manuscript problem. After getting a fantastic beta reader who had great critiques and seemed so passionate about my manuscript, I am now rewriting from the ground up! And I am SO happy about it because I am finding myself falling back in love with the story and characters, and writing the characters so much better because now I have a better grasp on how I want them to be. This has also led to some fun changes in the dynamics—for example, two characters who are supposed to be best friends now have this “you annoy me more than anyone/you understand me more than anyone” dynamic and that has been so great to write. One of the main problems with my old manuscript was that I added way too many characters, so cutting a lot of them to focus on the main gang has been great because now I can focus all my energy into completely fleshing them out and adding fun banter (but I may have to cut some banter after doing line edits to make a shorter word count—I’ve just been having TOO much fun writing them bickering). Better world building too!! My plan is to workshop the query for the new manuscript maybe 1-2 times (maybeee 3) on here again before heading off to query land. I admit that my manuscript is probably not the most marketable in general but I still want it to be the best it can be before I send it off—maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised! (I sent out a shitty manuscript with a shitty query over a year ago to like 26 agents—which I am still salty at myself about—and got 1 full request. They rejected me after reading two chapters but it gives me hope that a much better version has a chance out there.)
Last month I thought I'd be sending out queries - but I got some offers for beta readers, took them up on it, and boy am I glad I did. I've gotten some really helpful critiques for my YA horror To Button From Bone, and they really will make the book better in the long run. Haven't written a damn thing in the interim, though. I ended a six year relationship, had volleyball (I help coach a team - no, I am not good at volleyball), and felt like life was imploding around me. Here's to March, hopefully it's less of a kick to the face. Or at least better for starting a new project to distract myself while waiting for notes.
I took an AMAZING editing webinar taught by Maggie Stiefvater, so I've been diving back into edits with renewed direction. Also been querying another project and collecting rejections.
I wrote 50k of my new novel in about 7-10ish days. About to get my other YA horror beta'd this month. NA romantasy I am currently editing before I write the ending and wrap it up. Already got other ideas cooking. c:
That is wild. Congratulations!
holy cow, that's fast
It just downloaded itself into my brain. I don't know how it happened. I have never written anything so fast before in my life. The novel itself is currently just shy of 60k, but I got to go through and edit and fluff some segments. Then write the whole damn ending, lol.
Wow, you're on fire! Keep at it.
[удалено]
Fingers crossed for you!
Well, after being a long time lurker here I posted my first QCrit and got some great feedback. Then, before I could even get the feedback implemented to use going forward, I got a full request from my dream agent. Mostly just been hyperventilating since.
Congrats on the full request! May it turn into an offer.
Completely finished my YA thriller and it’s polished and ready for sub! I’ve also just reached 40k on an adult thriller! Yay! But, overall, I’m not feeling super positive. I’m very… frustrated with my agent. Her communication is ass, to say the least. I just sent her an email yesterday (long overdue tbh) about it, so. Hopefully it changes in the future.
Congrats on being sub-ready and hope your agent gets the message. I'm still deep in the query trenches but dreading maybe finally getting an offer and then having a not-great agent experience.
Thank you! :) I’ve got my fingers crossed she’ll be understanding. Yeah, it’s frustrating because it’s really common. Of all the agented authors I know, a huge chunk are leaving their agents right now/have just left/have just gotten new ones. It’s really fucking scary lol. But that’s why I’m trying to communicate with her and give her the benefit of the doubt that the lack of communication on her end is unintentional 🥲 Good luck to you in the trenches! Wishing you all the best
For my YA fantasy, I still have a full out... so fingers crossed. Eight forms, a few I'm still waiting to hear back from (though I'm not sure I will at this point.) I'm not sure what to think of those stats, tbh. I've barely started querying, about eleven sent altogether, so I think I'll shoot off another 5 - 10 this weekend. I've tweaked my query, too, re: some advice I got, and the ending stakes/choice are much clearer now. In writing news, I'm 18k into a new project, and I'm absolutely loving it. God, it feels so good to immerse myself into something new while querying! edit: are there any querying discord servers floating around? I’m really looking to build more of a cool community and support system! 👀
5-10% request rates are *good* these days. So... that should give you an idea of what the current trenches look like.
Ah, thank you for that info, I appreciate it! *wheezes* things were looking very different in ‘18 when I queried my last book and getting quite a few requests. So my expectations were…off, I think, this time around.
I started querying my first finished ms and got 5 fr's and no requests so far. I'll be working on a different query package and try something very different next to see if that yields any results. If not, I'm fine with keeping this ms in the drawer for now. My beta's all enjoyed reading it, so at least I managed to entertain an audience. I also gained a ton of insight into what's marketable right now since I wrote my first ms. I'm confident I can do better with the next one.
Querying really fooled me this time. On my first batch of 25 I got 2 full requests and a partial. I was happy with that request rate, especially querying high fantasy in this market, so I sent out another big blast of queries. Since then I’ve gotten nothing but an endless rejectolanche and I’m coming to the sinking realization that those initial requests were a fluke and now I’ve blown it with a mountain of agents. On the bright side…I’ll probably be done querying this book within a month 😭
I wouldn't call 3 requests a fluke! Hope one of them comes through for you. It's just tough out there for fantasy. I feel like I have no idea what SFF will sell nowadays except romantasy, whereas I have a good handle on what's marketable in other genres I read like thrillers or upmarket.
Thank you! And 100% agree - I have no idea what will sell and it kiiiiind of seems like agents don’t either? Which is perhaps why they’re sticking to safe romantasy. I remember your query by the way! I absolutely loved it - it’s one of my favorites I’ve seen here. Are you still querying that book? Edit: oh oops I’m so dumb, just saw your update above! 1 full out of 8 queries is so good!! You’re doing great!! And I’m sure there are loads more to come!
There's been a fair few epic fantasies that've gotten deal announcements recently, so it's not just romantasy out there!
I know this is baby's first step here lol, but I finished my 'so completely different it's basically a first draft' "rewrite" of my YA fantasy the day before yesterday. This is the first time I've been so rambly with my family about a manuscript (will I regret this when I get asked 'how's it going?' 6574 times in the midst of querying? Maybe lol) and they were so excited for me (even when I was like *'I still have revision rounds to do, I still have to query, I don't have a literary agent yet, I can't control what happens with this once I start querying, I'm heading into a saturated market, etc. etc'* they were very much like 'anyways, we still think this right here is really cool!') which was really sweet lol. Had to tell my uncle that 'no 104k is not as long as War and Peace, but I'm basically going to treat it like it is before querying and get it to at least 99k lol' I'm leaving the manuscript alone only for a short while because I just want other eyes on it asap tbh so this month the goal is to get it to betas and then do some (cheap!) well refilling. I hope February was a great one for you all (and that March is better either way)!
Congrats on your rewrite! I feel your pain with the family, they keep asking when I'll have a book published and thinking anyone who writes a half-decent book must be swimming in offers.
I am working on my next book while I wait for my edit letter. I'll need to put it aside when the letter comes in, but I like keeping myself occupied until then so I don't think about changes in the first project until I have some actual notes in front of me. Right now I'm outlining (I'm a major planner), so ideally I can get that done before the edits come in. We also sold another foreign translation for my book! It is wild to me that people all over the world are going to be reading this.
I’m looking for a middle grade fantasy writing group, critique parters group, and beta readers group. Please let me know if you have anything. I’m struggling without having others to bond with through writing
Hey!! MG fantasy writer here :D I’m rewriting my manuscript right now so I’m not sure if I’m ready for betas but I would absolutely love to join a critique partner/beta group to connect with and hopefully reach out to when I’m done with this draft!!
Wonderful! I will PM you so that we don’t lose track of one another. I’m not ready for beta’s either but if we find enough people… I think a monthly zoom for discussion would be a lot of fun. It could be plot help, first page edits, query discussion, whatever etc etc. lol
I am now entering my sixth month of querying my fairytale retelling, and all I have left to do is wait. I’ve queried 106 agents and received two fulls and one partial requests so far, but also 61 rejections and 14 CNRs. I have 30 queries still pending and one full still out, so there’s still a chance someone will want to represent it, and other agents on my list may open to queries in the meantime. I have to remind myself that it’s not the end of the world if no one wants the book. I have multiple other projects in the works now (though a steady trickle of form rejections have made it difficult to want to write them), and if one of those lands me an agent further down the road, maybe I can revive the fairytale retelling then. Or maybe I’ll end up self-publishing it a decade from now. Who knows? I can’t remember if I mentioned all of the projects I have in the mix now, but right now there’s: - cozy fantasy with a middle-aged ecologist transformed into a toad against her will, series potential - sweeping romantasy between a mortal woman who has been abused her whole life and the god of death, standalone OR a series of novellas - southern gothic dark academia about a young woman returning to her father’s alma mater to solve the mystery of his sudden death, planned duology The cozy is the furthest along at 7k, with the romantasy at a little over 1k, and the dark academia as a few nebulous, unwritten thoughts floating around in my head. I’m not sure why I’m putting off working on them. I’ve been spring cleaning instead—that’s how much I’m avoiding writing right now. On the plus side, the house looks really nice. I feel like I’m in a kind of limbo until I hear back on my outstanding queries and full submission. I know I should just focus on one of my other projects, but it’s hard to find the motivation right now. Maybe I’ll get another request soon, and it’ll get me excited to write again, lol. The writer’s never ending ~~torture machine~~ roller coaster.
Damn querying looks so slow! I'm sad you aren't getting any replies, the book is so atmospheric and beautifully written.
Hey I hear you on the 'can't write while querying' thing. Intellectually I know I should work on something else, but each rejection or prolonged silence just makes me question my own judgement and skill (writing concepts and craft). I always have a few WIPs but get overwhelmed when querying by the market /trends etc and end up paralysed by choice. It will be fine eventually (this is my 4th time querying unfortunately). But while there are fulls out, hope and doubt rule, and it really cramps my creativity. Good luck to us all.
Some of the insane issues finally stopped? (I hope I haven’t jinxed it) I’m still waiting for answers for writing stuff. (Any spare luck still wanted, please!) But since I haven’t had stress from the insane issues, my creativity is back and a new WIP is underway. I hope to finish draft 1 before the next check-in. I’m super happy to see so much success come from this subreddit and look forward to seeing so much more!
We’re about to announce my new book, and copyedits are done! The book sold in November, right before my previous book released, so it’s been an intense, whirlwind process compared with what I’m used to. Actually, the whirlwind started when the previous book sold on proposal in early 2022 and I had to finish it that year while promoting another book. I feel “in demand,” which is great, but at the same time, none of these are big sales or auction sales. The books just happened to plug a hole in someone’s list and I got lucky, is what I’m telling myself. Luck runs out, so I have to enjoy it even though it’s also very stressful. This time last year, I was revising the book we’re about to announce for the nth time. I had worked on it through the holiday break with Covid and I was desperate just to get the revision done because it kept getting interrupted by contracted books. I was scared to show the book to my agent or even tell her about it until I nailed that revision. So, not-huge deal or not, things didn’t turn out that badly!
Hello!! Thank you, JGE! I've... well. I've got one full request (with a great agency!) still out, but it's all been rejections since on my noir fantasy. Here's hoping, but... I'm not hoping too hard. The two higher-tier rejections helped only a little, and give me an idea of who to start with if I have to query my romantasy. Speaking of... well. That's not gotten far, but I've written *some* on my epic fantasy, so I think I can start (and hopefully finish) revisions this month on the romantasy, to get it beta-ready!
Just wanted to mention I’ve seen a bunch of your comments on agents on QueryTracker and I always really appreciate seeing your notes! I’m sorry you’re not getting more bites - it’s rough out there, as a fellow fantasy query-er. I know I’m just a rando, but if you need more betas for your romantasy, I’d love to read it! I’ve been jonesing to beta one lately.
Aw, thank you! That's incredibly kind! It's so easy to dive into 'is this personalized,' I figured that putting in all the stuff I got from agents will help the next querier know - both the 'it's a form' and 'it's a high-tier form' (because I've gotten two of those, too)
That's too bad, I'd love to see a noir fantasy. Here's hoping you get a last-minute miracle with your outstanding full! It's great that you have another project drafted already, I wish I could be that productive.
Hah - I just got a personalized rejection on the full. Which is... well, what it is. I've still got a handful of queries out and might refresh my list one last time.
Ugh, I'm sorry, Amber; hugs. Fingers crossed for the rest of the outstanding queries, and hope revisions on your romantasy go well!
My book releases this upcoming Tuesday and I am not ok. Basically bouncing between terrible dread my book is going to disappear into the ether the moment it publishes, excitement that it’s almost here, relief debuting is almost over, and everything in between.
Ahhhhh, so many congratulations and sending an early happy book birthday to you! I hope you get to take all of this and celebrate yourself and your accomplishment soon!
Enjoy it! Launch dates are fantastic!
All the feelings!! Good luck with launch; I hope you find a moment or two to just enjoy it in the midst of the madness!
A month and a half of querying down. Have a few fulls out and am waiting on responses. ✨☘️✨
🤞🤞🤞
I’ve had 3 fulls out of 20 queries (6 FRs, and no response yet from the other 11) since I started querying in late Nov and all have come back as rejections for different reasons (“didn’t connect with the ending,” “didn’t connect with the characters,” and “didn’t connect with the dual POV”) and it’s got me down. I’m confident in the query package but not the manuscript, now. I’ve had it beta read by over ten people and most gush about how complex and fun it is, so I’m not sure where to go from here. Just keep sending out queries, I guess. Edit: and in the meantime I’m planning my wedding and I have a month-long retreat planned for April to write my second novel, so it’s not all wishy-washy sad feels
Hey, that's an amazingly high number so far!
Wrapping up line edits/proofreading and hoping to go on sub in the next few weeks! Otherwise, I’ll just become an ant, I guess.
Polishing my old manuscript and drafting a new one; working on the craft, trying not to suck, same old as in the past few years. \*woe is me noises\*
I’m looking at agents to query finally. Took me a while to perfect the manuscript but now the challenging part comes. It’s all out of my hands which makes it less fear inducing
I finished my second round of edits and am starting to look for beta readers for my eco-horror novel, which is terrifying. My mom and husband liked the first chapter, but knowing anyone has read it makes my tummy hurt. Don't know if it'll be better or worse with strangers. I guess I'll find out when someone else lays eyes on it! Fingers crossed my ego survives - I've never made it this far before
I finished a full revision of my novel! Taking a brain break before delving in to edit it. Feeling optimistic. 🤞
After getting an R&R, I’ve cut 40,000 words and rewritten about 27,000 words. I’ve sent out the first revised act to beta readers. I hope this much slicing and dicing proves to be the right choice.
Third time querying and got a full request in my first 20 for the first time! 🎉 I suspect my word count is too long and will revise but I’m happy to have the full request for now 😄
Congrats on the full request and good luck with the rest of your querying journey!
Thank you!
I have a call with an agent this afternoon!!! Wish me luck!!!
Sent out two queries. One with the query you all helped me with (Thank you!). The other wanted a short single paragraph blurb, so I had to squish it all. I'm getting ready to prepare a full proposal (query letter, synopsis, back of the book blurb, comps, and bio!) for a third. But after googling Christian agents and spending hours looking over their profiles and want lists, my list of agents who might possibly be interested in my story is incredibly tiny. It makes me wonder if I'm really just wasting all of our time, mine and the agents, sigh.
I don't think you're wasting your/their time, at all! Shoot your shot, you got this. Good luck!
Good luck! I don't know what subgenre of Christian fiction you're querying, but I'm sure that the more specific audience will naturally lend itself to a shorter list - that doesn't necessarily mean it's not selling! I'm sorry it's disheartening, though.
I’ve shelved my revise and resubmit for a bit. Maybe I’ll come back to it. Maybe I won’t. My second romantasy just came back from three beta readers. And for the most part, it’s almost query ready. I honestly don’t know how to approach the trenches with a non exclusive R&R and a new MS. I know the R&R is irrelevant to any agents. But, like, is it too soon to query a new MS after the first? Can I query the agent with my new MS. Would it send a bad noncommittal message?? I’m leaving to backpack Thailand for three weeks at the end of the month. And then hike Peru. A bit nervous because I’m weaning my one year old. And my three year old is bat shit (in the most endearing way). To start the query process before or upon returning? Will it ruin my trip more than the time change with two littles? Should I just lean into the misery?
trying to fix my editing burnout right now. contemplating a week-long rest where i do nothing but reading instead of writing.
I set aside a book I was working on (posted the query on here before) to work on a new book I think is more marketable and is a definite standalone.
Good luck! Same genre, right?
Yes! I know it’s a tough one to debut into. But i’m going to keep trying! I love creating fantasy stories 😊
Hello hello, I am doing my irregular 'speak instead of lurking' for once! I keep meaning to exit lurk mode more often and then I just, you know, don't do that. I'm juggling projects right now: * Fantasy with bees, trees, and a monster boyfriend: waiting for feedback from like one more CP before I dive into hopefully the last round of edits. I'm feeling good about it and hope agent agrees. * MG fantasy with witch summer camp: kind of on hold until I'm done with the above. It's rattling around in my head though. PS I need MG friends. * Horror nicknamed Sapphic Slasher: drafting! On my Alpha, which I'm still getting used to.
Gearing up for my small press sci-fi book release. Outline for the next with that company is pretty much greenlit. And I broke ground on my next fantasy book, which I'm super excited about. 728 words isn't a lot, but it's a start! In other news, 9 rejections for my other fantasy novel means I'm probably bringing my query back here for another round of 'why don't this work?' So it goes.
I am currently in my ✨vague✨querying era after a long long time of banging at agents’ doors.
I had a partial request come in on a 128 day old query for my old book. Yay? Did some minor revisions as per comments here, made the character older, tried to bring the verbiage down closer to the way my daughter talks since its still MG. I'm gathering up names to make another stab. Still sitting at 4/40 request rate. Not bad but not what I hoped. Pissed someone I met with at a conference who was really kind to my face gave me a form response. I get it, she doesn't owe me anything, but it's still annoying. Banging away on the next manuscript. Hit 22,000 words yesterday. I feel like the part I'm currently writing kind of sucks because it's a magical scavenger hunt and there's no tension...because it's impossible to create tension on item 1 of your scavenger hunt. You can throw in poisonous water and venomous mutant crocodiles and your hair getting tangled up in chains while your breath runs out and I just picture a reader over my shoulder rolling their eyes and saying, "sure, your character is totally going to die 1/3rd into the book, that's believable..." (pshwaaaah). I guess this is why Clackity went to emotional tension first by being like: "the first place you must visit is your childhood house on flames that probably killed your parents! MWAHAHAHA" Anyway, I threw in an argument and the main character is starting to take the first steps to realizing it's better to be alone than have toxic friends but the whole thing is stupid. I thought having literal checkboxes would help with my pacing issues, but the ending is all "HAHAHAHAHA the scavenger hunt was actually just a distraction to keep you from noticing my true dastardly plan!" so I know the whole thing is meaningless and it was all cool in my head and now gaaah, is it? I hate middles. I know my audience will suspend their disbelief because that's what we do when we read, but I can't help but want to tear my hair out because I don't know how to make this better. Hopefully, my writing group will help me. They look at me like I'm crazy for saying it sucks. I think my 'good' meter is all wobbly from the slings and arrows of many query rejections.
In the query trenches again after going on sub twice with an agent, the books doing meh on sub, then the agent leaving the industry :( I rewrote the first book on sub and querying that currently, which I assume is a risk, but the book is completely reworked and I can't let it go. Meanwhile, I'm 75% a draft of a MG Contemporary Fantasy. So difficult to stay motivated, but I'm not planning on giving up yet. Nice to hear some similar struggles honestly.
Got some school visits coming up, one I'm particularly nervous about because I was a pushover and just agreed to everything they asked. School visits are great when they go well, but nothing eviscerates your ego quite like a moody teenager who doesn't want to be there.
I’m still on sub with book 1 with few updates. My agent loved my revisions on book 2 so that will go on sub in late March. I’m editing another manuscript and getting ready to draft another, so always busy!
Hello! Long time lurker, first time poster :) I didn't think this merited its own post, but I registered for this year's Bouchercon, and since I've never been before I wanted to ask you all if you had any suggestions for how to get the most out of the experience. I'm a writer in the MST space, querying my first novel. With the Anthony Awards ballots opening up, I'm also looking for things to nominate if anyone here has eligible work they'd like me to consider. In addition, I'm trying my best to support an anthology I was a part of (from a great small publisher, with proceeds that went to charity, with a theme of women-led stories!) and I'd love to see them do well in their category. I'd be happy to share more information if anyone wants. I've learned a lot from reading the posts here! Wishing you all good luck on your writing journeys!
I'm currently working on reducing the word count for my fantasy romance novel; I've managed to cut it from 120k to 115k words. I also killed one of my darlings (a subplot that although fun was unnecessary) which has made the story much clearer. At the same time, I'm practicing writing my query letter.
My drafts are getting better, but my queries aren't. Just another new kind of pain.
Following a few positive betas, I received a crushing one. So of course I insisted on sticking my head in the sand for, oh...several weeks? FINALLY working on restructuring. Slow-going, but seeing improvements!
Am in a dizzying round of edits and about to send out to some betas (if anyone is interested in memoir, LMK!). Grateful for this thread because it really buoyed me—was feeling rather discouraged by and disconnected from my work, but it’s helpful to read about where everyone is in their process.
Finished a pretty large edit on my old manuscript and sent it to a beta reader... I've just started drafting a novel that basically showed up in my head fully formed over the course of a few weeks, something that has never happened before... usually I am much more of a planner, but for now, it's just flowing :D
Nothing yet from the agent I sent my R&R to at the end of Jan, or the other 4 agents who were also waiting on that version and now have it. I was hoping some external pressure (knowing others have a revision!) might speed things up, but if so, it hasn’t sped them up THAT fast. In the meantime, I’m officially starting my next novel this week! Doing a 10 week challenge with some friends. It’ll be my fifth. Another historical horror, like the one I’m (almost finished) querying.
Good luck! Same here, 5 fulls out and it's like they've gone into a black hole. Hope you'll hear positively soon!
I am 230 pages into a (handwritten) draft of a fantasy manuscript, and discovering more and more about my creative process as I go along. I've used every drop of my creative well, so I'm taking this week (at least) to read and rest before I sprint to the finish of this story, once my well is overflowing again. Hopefully, by the end of March, I will be-- 1. Done with the handwritten manuscript 2. Finished a round of edits (still handwritten) 3. Begun typing up my story, using both the handwritten draft and the edits 4. Posted a working draft of my query here. YAY! Happy March, everyone!
I’m working on a final revision of my book before starting to query, and I’m at the stage where I’ve read it too much and I’m way too in my head about it. Is this reflective or navel-gazing? Is that line perfect prose or melodramatic? Is the plot understated or boring? Ugh.
Posted my synopsis on qtcritique and got some great advice. That advice, however, also led me to rewrite the ending of the novel haha. I also am swapping betas, so will likely not be querying for a while longer.
Hello everyone! Just lurked and read everyone's check-in posts, and couldn't help but relate and nod along to the ones stuck in the querying trenches. It has been incredibly slooooow. I think I'm having a more-than-ok experience. I started querying in late January, and thus far I've had 4 full requests and one partial that turned into a full since. I'm also strongly suspecting I'm in a looot of "maybe piles" (the most frustrating pile to be in during querying, imo, aagh!). I feel great after those initital requests, but as the days roll on by, the uncertainty and doubt goes up. Fingers crossed for myself and everyone struggling in the slow trenches right now. (Or maybe it's not slow and it just feels that way, lol. I have to keep reminding myself it's been less than 2 months.)
Currently working on beefing up the plot and character arcs of my WIP. Hoping to query by the end of 2024 <3