Haha, not the spy/secret-agent kind of agent…
Where have I been? It’s been three weeks since my last post! I’ve been busy polishing up a mystery novel I’m querying. I’m excited to say that an experienced and talented agent now has my first three chapters in hand. Fingers crossed and all that!
My advice to anyone else just starting the query process
- Know the market. If you don’t have a high-concept, broad-audience novel, what do you have? Would it still suit agent-only but smaller publishers? What are your comps (comparable books on the market) and their publishers?
- Stay engaged on social media.
- Be ready with marketing ideas.
- Synopses take a ridiculously long time to write. Have a short one (say, 1.5 pages, single spaced) and a long one (6 pages) ready.
What’s new on my bookshelf?
I just downloaded two new brand-new releases!
Debbie Johansson’s House of Echoes, the third novella in Johansson’s Australian Gothic horror series:
And
Gwen M. Plano’s Redemption, an inspirational suspense novel:
“Find your best time of the day for writing and write. Don’t let anything else interfere. Afterwards it won’t matter to you that the kitchen is a mess.” — Esther Freud, British novelist.
Feature image by Sander Sammy on unsplash.
Priscilla Bettis 
Congratulations, Priscilla, another great step on your writing journey. Best of luck. Loved the quote, although I think I would struggle with a messy kitchen.
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Thanks, Davy! Yeah, I can only let the kitchen get so messy before I freak.:-)
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Yay! Good luck with the agent, your writing is top-notch! ‼️
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Thanks, Tricia!
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💓
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That is very exciting news Priscilla. I am looking forward to reading your new novel and Congratulations on your agent. I hope it goes well.
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Thank you, Thomas.:-)
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Way to go, Priscilla! This is SO exciting!! I’m tying myself in knots to wish you all the very best. You deserve it! I can’t wait to read it, I love mysteries. I hope you hear some good news soon! And thank so much for the shout-out for my novella. I hope you like it. 🙂
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Thank you, Debbie.:-) I’m looking forward to reading House of Echoes!
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So excited for you, Priscilla. I can’t wait to hear your announcement when all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed. Best wishes!
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Thanks, Staci!
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Fingers crossed for an offer of representation!! (I have Redemption waiting for me on my Kindle.)
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Thanks, Liz.:-) Yeah, Redemption is going to be a good read!
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You’re welcome, Priscilla.
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Woohoo – congrats, Priscilla! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
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Thanks, Teri!
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I tried for an agent at one point, but I stopped. I think I may try again with a different novel someday, though. Perhaps Crawler or Toyland. Anyway, good luck. I hope you get that agent.
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Thanks, Rami.:-) I dig mummies, and I think Toyland would appeal to a broad audience, so yeah!
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Well, one thing at a time. I first need to edit one and finish another.
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Oh, this is so exciting, Priscilla! I’m sending anticipation cheers for a positive query response. Thank you for mentioning Redemption. 😊
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Thanks, Gwen.:-) I’m looking forward to reading Redemption!
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Sounds interesting!
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Thanks, Helena!
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Hope you get a positive response!
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Thank you, Deby!
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Congrats on getting an agent to take a look. Let us know how it goes and Good Luck! And thanks for the tips! I never had the patience for the whole process but have considered trying it again. And a nice book haul too. I have Gwen’s book up next and I’m looking forward to it. 🙂
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Thanks, Diana! Yes, I’m looking forward to Gwen’s book, too!
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good luck!
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Thanks, JM! Have a fabulous weekend!
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How exciting! Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing you have a contract with a publishing house. Good for you! It is a lot of work to query. Glad yours is paying off.
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Thank you, Marie!
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Your gumption inspires me! 💖 Congratulations on your steps, your query, and chapters in the hand of an agent! Go Priscilla!!
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Hi Crystal! What were you doing in my spam filter? Get out of there.:-)
Thank you for your encouragement, you’re so sweet!
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Good luck, Priscilla. I’m looking forward to sitting down with your double-short story book. (With all the lights turned on.) 😀 Hugs.
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Thanks, Teagan! And thank you reading Vampire of the Midnight Sun!
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Good luck. About to go this route myself. Tough to find an Agent.
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Thanks, Anthony! Good luck to you as well!
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I hope the querying process is going well – I know how arduous it can be! I am hoping to start querying my novel in verse within the next month or two, so I am well ready to be facing the same odds soon. All the best x
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Thanks for the encouragement, Olivia-Savannah! I have zero doubt that you will get representation, and I’m already looking forward to reading your novel in verse!
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