Life update: the query trenches, plotting the next book, expanding possibilities
Those who have been following along will know I’ve been working on my manuscript (THE BONES BENEATH) for some time.
It’s a science fantasy, speculative dystopian fiction for adults, and I hope some day it might be on a bookshelf (virtual and real) and that you get to read it and that many many people get to read it and it gets turned into a TV show or Film… and…. (So it is.)
Regardless, I’m really proud of it and of the immense amount of work, vulnerability and craft that went into writing it. I learned a lot and grew even more, and it’s a real reflection of a certain time in my life that I will always feel grateful for.
Speaking of TIME, as a result of going through this process with my whole soul in my hands the time has come to send it into the world so like a mama clucking over her chick, I’ve thrust it into the world with half my heart in my throat, and the other half in my guts churning around in a chunky soup of trepidation and hope and confidence and fear.
So I am in what they call the QUERY TRENCHES folks, and they are just as harrowing as the name suggests.
2023 is not the best time to be trying to break into traditional publishing, but this novel deserves nothing less than my full-hearted support and attempt so that’s what I’m doing. The query letter has been written, the dread synopsis polished, the first five pages, ten pages, three chapters, 50 pages, 100 pages, whole book reworked to within an inch of it/their lives. I’ve sent out the first batch of queries (made some silly errors along the way but learned a lot) and am now pausing to take a breath and revisit all the above off the back of the results which are beginning to trickle in. So far a bunch of rejections, two bites (one outstanding), and pending responses from even more.
My main reflection at this point of the journey is that it isn’t for the lighthearted. It’s driven home how important it is not to let the querying process overwhelm the reason we write to begin with: because we have stories inside us we want to tell. I’ve worked hard to get to the point where external validation isn’t necessary to my creative practice.
Speaking of which…
In the meantime, it’s time for the next book and some short stories.
I don’t want to say too much at this stage, but I’ve started the process of plotting out and dreaming up the next book. I can tell you I’ve settled on Young Adult. It will of course be fantasy, this one with a big splash of romance. And it’s a Greek Mythological retelling MIXED with steampunk because that’s my jam.
I’m actually really excited by this one. It took me a while to crack the back of the premise because it leant itself to either being a Middle Grade adventure, a Young Adult romantasy, or a more literary Adult speculative work and frankly I would write any one of those. But the idea that caught fire in my brain in the end was the YA version, and that’s what I’m working on.
More to the point… and for me remarkable given the dark night of the soul that The Bones Beneath resides in… this one is FUN. (What’s that you say? I’m allowed to have some FUN now? Shut UP with your bad self.) I’ll keep you posted.
As I do this, I’m also shopping around a short story I’ve written called KERANIA VERSUS THE DREAM. It’s a magical realism short story based on the life of my recently discovered great-great-great-Grandmother (count the generations). I’ve submitted it to a few publications and even entered it in a few competitions. It’s gotten short listed for at least one publication, so I’m really hoping I find a home for it and can share it with you soon, but if I don’t I’ll publish it here.
NEWS FROM UNDER THE BRIM OF MY MANY HATS
As I mentioned before, 2023 isn’t a great year to be trying to break into traditional publishing, but regardless I’ve reached a point where I’m opening my arms out fully to my whole self and I’ve accepted that my path will always involve many hats and that’s not just okay, that’s GOOD. Opportunities as a result have started to open up.
I’ve continued to guest on ABC Melbourne’s Spin Doctor’s program. You can catch up on AM Radio 774 every third Wednesday at 10.00 am. And I’ve recently been invited to pitch to and write for The Age Newspaper. My first article went up on 28 June.
Energy is moving and I’m keeping it moving.
I always wanted to be a writer, and that’s what I’m doing. So… thank you universe.