And here’s what happened.
✨ August 2024, after a year of writing and six months editing I was ready to send my very first query letter to a literary agent. Despite all my research, I still naively thought querying couldn’t be as emotionally draining as everyone said… I was very wrong. I must preface this by saying that I’m fully aware that querying and traditional publishing is a very competitive market and many writers spend years in the query trenches.
✨Fast forward months of waiting, adjusting my query package and lots of research, the rejections kept coming. I submitted to a few unpublished novel competitions and spoilers… I didn’t get anywhere. I was starting to worry that I would have to shelf my manuscript for the time being.
✨January 2025 and I was feeling a tad *very* deflated. All I wanted was someone to read my book at least once. The rejections were still coming in strong, even months after my initial submission.
✨In February, I submitted to an independent publisher who really enjoyed my extract and requested the full manuscript. It only takes one yes and I’m thrilled to find a publisher that is just as excited about my book as I am.
✨By April, after a few edits, I signed a book deal for my young adult fantasy book ‘Cornelia Fairfield and the Darkened Heart’ for publication in 2026. I can’t wait to find my readers who love adventure and fantasy.
💌 I sent around 40 query letters to literary agents and only received 12 responses (all rejections). For anyone in the query trenches, keep going and know that your journey might not be what you thought, but it can be just as wonderful.
💕Keep writing because one day you could be someone’s favourite author! 💕
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Amy is a writer and reviewer and is currently working on a YA fantasy novel. For more content click here to read book reviews, short stories and updates on Amy’s writing journey. Her action packed debut novel CORNELIA FAIRFIELD AND THE DARKENED HEART is set to be published in 2026!
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