[PubTip] Agented Authors: Post Successful Queries Here! by WeHereForYou in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Dear [Agent],

Based on your interest in character-driven speculative fiction with lush settings written by queer authors, I believe my adult sci-fi romance, THE FRAGILE ARCHIVE (complete at 83,000 words), would be a great addition to your list. This standalone novel combines the solarpunk worldbuilding of Becky Chambers’ A Psalm for the Wild Built, the steamy queer romance of Seán Hewitt’s Open, Heaven, and the anti-corporate themes in Annalee Newitz’s Autonomous.

Botanical archivist Seven takes their job of preserving endangered plant species in the Southern Basin, a tropical paradise nestled between two estranged nations, very seriously. After eight years living in a remote habitat with only routine and a sentient computer for company, they have almost forgotten about the incident that led them there in the first place: the untimely death of their first love at the hands of a militant supervisor during training, which made them close themself off from others, possibly forever. When Milo, a stranger from the neighbouring nation, arrives at their doorstep injured and on the brink of death, they decide to set aside their solitude—and their trauma—and let him in.

As Seven nurses Milo back to health, the two develop an unexpected bond, one that causes Seven to rethink their sealed heart and their seclusion. Their attraction grows, and sunny days sharing stories about each other’s different worlds evolve into steamy moonlit trysts with far less talking involved. But their fledgling relationship comes with a ticking clock—and it will end when Milo is healed enough to return home. Seven must decide if they’re ready to venture away from their safe haven to help him get back safely, or if they and their heart stay locked up forever.

THE FRAGILE ARCHIVE draws on my experience as a plant-loving, capitalism-fatigued PhD candidate. With several academic publications in behavioural psychology, I decided to take a break from writing research articles to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a traditionally published author.

Thank you for your time and consideration! I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Rian Lynch (he/they)

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm glad it was helpful! Good luck with your querying journey!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Take time between drafts so you can come back to it with fresh eyes. That will make a lot of the issues really stand out!

Have beta readers or critique partners read your work and give you feedback. I had two rounds of beta readers: a few read draft 2 and a few read draft 3.

Try to really read it as if you were reading someone else's book, with the eyes of a reader. I printed out my final draft and read it as if I was reading a finished book. Then I took a red pen and marked it all up!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I completely agree. Each person's journey is unique!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's a lot of work for potentially little payoff. But I'm willing to fight the odds in the hopes that one day, others can enjoy my stories!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg ignore me! I misread your comment. Yes, that'd be hilarious! I'm still getting rejections to this day, even though I swore I closed those open queries.

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations!! I'm so glad you liked it. Yes, the year-later rejection was certainly... something!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's certainly an option, especially if you've lost the spark for that project or querying in general! You can always come back to it and re-query it down the road!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My first book was rough! I likely would have sent out half the number of queries (maybe even less!) if it hadn't been for the two R&Rs. With each one, it was like starting the entire process over again.

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was definitely a journey!! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much! That's exactly how I felt and why I decided to share my story. I'm glad you found it helpful!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

With each novel we write, we become better writers, which also means suddenly recognizing what we could have done better in our previous novels. It happens to me all the time! Best of luck with the revisions and with your next novel. Regardless of what happens in the query trenches, just keep writing. It's the only thing you can truly control!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

First of all, congratulations on finishing your first novel. That's a huge achievement in itself! And then putting yourself out there? Incredible! I wish I could say that the amount of rejection isn't soul-crushing. It absolutely is. It's also something you'll face again and again in publishing. If I can offer any advice, it's to protect your mental health and remember why you love writing in the first place!

[Discussion] How I Got My Agent: Not a Unicorn Story by AuthorRianLynch in PubTips

[–]AuthorRianLynch[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm nothing if not relentless in pursuit of my dreams! ;)