Twisted Fairytale

I have decided the old saying is true. There is no point in crying over spilled milk. I have done my whining, (thank you all for listening with patience and understanding) and I have decided to move on. At the suggestion of a friend I visited AgentQuery.com and what a find!

I have now queried Jennifer Jackson, of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She represents people of the likes of Anne Bishop, C.E. Murphy, and other wonderful fantasy authors. I think if anyone could understand what I’m trying to do, she can! I also included a statement in my query to let her know that while I understand mine is not traditional length for a work of fantasy, I am open to ideas on how to expand and improve.

I also queried an agent I hadn’t heard of. She’s up and coming in a well established agency. The reason I got in touch with her is because I believe from her interests, she and I would really hit it off, artistically and in person. So I’m actually, strangely perhaps, really hoping I hear from her. In both queries they asked for sample pages of the first chapter. I’m hoping those are strong enough to draw some attention. We’ll see what happens. I’ll keep you all informed.

Samhain is still very much a possibility. I can see a story like mine doing well there, since they’ve got a wonderful fantasy section. But I’m going to wait on that and just see what fishing in the agent pool brings up.

So yea. No more boo hoo. Time to pick up the pieces.

You guys are the best for being so supportive all the time. *hugs*  You have no idea how much it means to me.

I heard back from TKA. Unfortunately, they didn’t think my project was right for them at this time. They did however think it was interesting, which I think is a major plus. I sent the first book of my fantasy series. I know the book is short… it’s really a prequel, (Episode 1, if you want to use a Star Wars reference, seeing as how this little sucker has been built in a similar fashion). It stands at about 61k. I considered selling it along with Book 2 (as in they would be one story, in one book, but labeled Book1/Book2), which would mean waiting until Book 2 is done. I don’t really know how long that’s going to take because I’m the slowest writer in the world. I was willing to expand the MS if need be. But I think the wordcount alone scared them off.

Although I think the series is good enough to go to print, I just think lengthwise, it would never make it. Category romances are the only stories usually published that are less than 100k. And they are released by the likes of Harlequin and such. A novel, especially a fantasy novel, has to be over 100k. I knew that before I sent out the query, but I thought, what the hey, right? I guess my hunch was right. I’m a tad bit disappointed, but I completely understand where they’re coming from.

So now I’m left at a bit of an impass. I can’t figure out if I want to try my hand at an e-publisher or just wait until I finish Book 2 and try to sell it again. *shrugs* I don’t really know. I’ve never had to make these kinds of decisions before.

I’ve started work on a story I wrote when I was 18 years old. It’s strange reading back on my old thoughts. The emotion in this story is difficult, almost painful to read. But honestly, I believe it’s my most open, truthful writing to date. It’s beautiful in a tragic kind of way. My grammar is dreadful and the storyline needs work but at least it’s giving me a way to vent my creative energy.