I’m over the moon to announce that I signed with a literary agent! I’m now being represented by Rachelle Gardner with Gardner Literary Company for my second novel, Home in Bloom. You have to be questioning what meaning and the way that can have an effect on the guide contract I signed in early September. Properly, like many roads traveled, they’re usually a windy route. Publishing isn’t any totally different. If something, you not often hear of somebody’s publishing journey being linear. And mine is popping out to be no totally different.
If I knew how laborious it was to publish a guide, I in all probability wouldn’t have pursued it. Who am I kidding? Sure, I’d have as a result of, on the finish of the day, I like the whole lot in regards to the writing course of. When my pen hits the paper, it’s as if all these years of being misplaced in my daydreams, constructing stunning worlds in my thoughts, lastly have a mushy place to land. It feels straightforward and cathartic like I used to be meant to do that all alongside.
With each piece of knowledge, recommendation, and/or criticism that got here, I started working to raised myself as a author. And in these soul-crushing, knock-the-wind-out-me moments, I’d ask myself, “If the books you write by no means get printed, would you continue to write them? And the reply was at all times sure. So I saved going by way of peaks and valleys, the months of no information, and the numerous rejections.
Then, as you understand, in August got here the extremely anticipated information of a guide contract. It was a dream come true, and I introduced it to all of you in September. Your assist and sort phrases made me really feel like all of the trials and tribulations had been price it. I noticed rapidly after the method started with the small press that I wanted somebody in my nook (an agent) to champion my imaginative and prescient.
After quite a lot of thought and consideration, I made a decision to tug out of the guide contract. It pains me to jot down this, as I by no means wish to disappoint anybody, but it surely wasn’t the best place for my story. After a week-long pity occasion, I acquired again on the market and started querying once more. In case you’re questioning, querying is once you ship your resume with a narrative abstract to literary brokers. The hope is that they’ll wish to learn extra after which finally signal you.
Not solely is it troublesome to safe a literary agent, the chances are stacked in opposition to you. I lately learn a statistic that stated the chances are 1 in 6,000. Umm, what?! Sure, that’s proper. However in case you are fortunate sufficient to seek out one, then they’ll submit your manuscript to hundreds of publishers that can solely settle for agented manuscripts. Should you don’t have an agent, you possibly can undergo about 1% of these publishers or self-publish. They can even negotiate guide contracts and be the liaison with the publishers.
On the draw back, I should wait and be affected person, however on the plus aspect, I do know it’ll repay. So, no, my guide received’t be popping out in Summer time 2024, like I initially deliberate, however having an agent is the very best final result I may think about since I would like this profession to have longevity. Rachelle believes in my story and the experiences I deliver to the desk. And that’s all I can ask for! I’m so enthusiastic about what’s forward in my writing journey. Keep tuned!
Have a cheerful day, good friend!
