
The journey to having your novel traditionally published is a tough one. When covid hit, I took it as opportunity to write a book. I had no clue how to write a book and no idea how the industry worked.
I love to write and my dream was to create something, so in my mind that’s all that mattered. I slowly figured out that was not all that mattered. Anyone who writes a novel has to first make the decision whether to publish traditionally or self-publish.
After realizing how much money it would cost to self-publish, I decided I’d take my chances with publishing traditionally—which opened an entirely new can of worms. I had to query agents.
Querying agents requires you to write a query letter. Basically, a letter stating why your book is perfect for them and what the book is about. You must do this in under three hundred words. It’s not easy.
I took a class on how to write a query letter, synopsis and the etiquette of sending them to an agent. I won’t get into all the mistakes I made and all the rejections I got—that’s a whole ‘nother topic.
Luckily, I landed an agent, which isn’t easy. Even after landing my agent though, she still has to sell my book to an editor who then has to sell it to the publisher they work for. It’s honestly insane any books are published at all!
I’m writing this because I’ve been working all summer on revisions. My agent’s assistant who I absolutely adore read my book and made a few suggestions. I completely agreed with his thoughts, pulled it from submissions and revamped my manuscript.
It’s been A LOT of work to do this. I spend close to 6-8 hours a day writing. I don’t care though. I have an opportunity and I’m definitely not going to blow it. Plus, I know I’m a new writer and I have improved greatly since last year. I want my book—whether it gets published traditionally or not, to be something I’m proud of.
I just wanted to keep my twenty blog subscribers—and my mom, in the loop with what I’ve been working on.
Stay squirrely,
Dana
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