Sometimes published writers can inadvertently give the impression that their journey to publication was easier than it actually was. The truth is that finding an agent and a publisher is tough – and I mean for ALL writers. You need a fabulous book, followed by a LOT of hard work … and then a heavy dose of luck. Most writers send out their work dozens of times before they land a deal.
That was definitely the case with me.
In spring 2023 I approached Bookouture with my first historical novel. I had been trying to find a publisher or agent for weeks without success. That submission led to several meetings with a wonderful acquisitions editor at Bookouture. She pointed out several issues with the novel that hadn’t even occurred to me, and between each meeting, I rewrote. Then, on perhaps our third meeting, she dropped a bombshell: she still didn’t feel the novel was right for Bookouture. She tried to let me down gently, and even said that I could ask her any questions I wanted about the publishing industry, because she was impressed by my writing and felt certain the book would find a home elsewhere.
This could have been the end of my Bookouture journey, but luckily, I had come up with several synopses for other historical novels just in case she asked for them. By the end of the hour, both of us were excited about next steps, and the editor told me she was very relieved she didn’t have to say goodbye.
Phew!
I would have been delighted to have this particular editor work with me, but her lists were full… so she approached the editorial team at Bookouture, to see if any of them would be interested in taking me on. This led to the start of a relationship with another editor just as wonderful as the first.
By then, it was November 2023 and after several weeks back and forth with outlines for the two novels, I received a contract! As you can imagine, I was ecstatic. I had already published three books with independent presses, as well as dozens of short stories and poems… but this was my first deal with a major publisher. And while Bookouture did not know it, the contract arrived at a time of great personal upheaval for me.
They say as one door closes, another opens…
The first draft of book 1 was due about 13 weeks from the date the contract was signed and eventually became Her Secret Soldier. This novel will be available on Kindle, in paperback and on Audible in just a few days.
What did I learn from this process?
- If you have a book to sell, make it as good as it can be, then go at it hard and don’t quit. The harder you work to sell a book, the luckier you seem to get.
- Every great book needs a strong hook – a one-sentence pitch that will demonstrate its potential to an editor. If your novel lacks a strong hook, that’s a problem.
- A great editor is worth their weight in gold. Editors must be encouraging, supportive… and able to spot all that might be lacking in an early draft. My editor is all these things and I feel lucky to work with her. I also feel listened to. She makes it clear that edits are a dialogue, and on the rare occasion I’m not sure about a change she wants me to make, she always listens.
- Writing to tight deadlines is a skill – and it’s not for everyone. Personally, I love it. There’s nothing more exciting to me than writing every single day. But a lot of writers prefer to linger for years over one manuscript and that’s a very different journey.
Her Secret Soldier will be available on Amazon on 12th September 2024.
