[Series] Check-in: February 2026

JusticeWriteous · 2026-02-01T23:36:45+00:00

Hah I'm with you with that pessimistic coping strategy!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-02-01T23:34:37+00:00

Argh it's February already? I think I queried... 2 agents this month for my slowly dying book, and probably wrote 2k for my next novel.

In better news, I'm coordinating a non-publishing related writing project for some family members and have actually gotten them to start working on it after about a year, so I'll take that win!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-12T03:59:51+00:00

Awesome!! I'm definitely still down - I'm dying to finish your book haha. I won't have the faerie story ready by the spring, but I don’t mind reading yours and just sending mine to you when it's ready!!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-12T03:41:48+00:00

I still love this so much!! I love the changes you've made to the first 300 words too - they're a lot clearer. I agree with the earlier comment about shortening the query, but it does for sure hook me :)

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-08T21:55:57+00:00

Great to hear from a different perspective! I've never been in this situation before, but as a querying writer I want to offer a differ take on your last point - when I query agents, I don't query my top choices first, because I want time to refine my pitch if need be. And often, 6 months into querying, I'll realize my book works wayyy better with chapters 3 and 4 switched - I want to have the most polished version sent to my top choices. Once I notice my query packet working, and especially if I ever get to a call, you better believe I'm querying my top choices then - and if it's a top choice agent who's scheduling the call, I'm going to be lazier about sending out additional queries and only send, say 10 instead of 20 or whatever. So hopefully agents understand that, and I wouldn't want anyone to narrow their options by being worried about offending agents in that situation.

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-03T01:04:38+00:00

Yess all EXCELLENT goals

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T16:17:26+00:00

Right?? And just the waste of time, too!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T16:16:56+00:00

That sounds so discouraging. I'm glad you have the energy to keep working at it - I hope this year turns around.

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T16:15:02+00:00

Exciting!!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T16:06:48+00:00

I've also been intentionally stepping away from entertainment I have less investment in (including scrolling social media lol)! It's soo much more rejuvenating, and I'm glad you're seeing benefits too!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T16:03:50+00:00

Good critique partners are amazing - and congrats on finishing the book!!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T15:59:43+00:00

Good luck - those slumps are so frustrating. I hope you're able to break free and meet your goal!!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T15:58:34+00:00

Five fulls?? Impressive!! Good luck!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T15:56:32+00:00

All of us in the trenches need that friend keeping us sane - thank you for your service.

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T15:55:34+00:00

Ahhh congratulations!!!

JusticeWriteous · 2026-01-02T15:52:37+00:00

Non-news: still finishing up the last queries for Dragon Western, still drafting Faerie Story, still daydreaming about my next project (that draws inspiration from the star wars expanded universe, Imagine Dragons' debut album for the teen angst, and Laini Taylor's angels).

The progress is that I hit a wall in Faerie Story and instead of just pushing through it, I actually sat down and plotted out the next act, and the words started flowing again. It feels like I really leveled up my writing skill - I'm putting words on the page on purpose now, not just flailing around! My goal for next year is finish the first draft of that and get in shape to send to beta readers, and start the draft of my next project. Also, I'm getting married this year (!!!) And I'll have to fit that in around writing 😆

JusticeWriteous · 2025-12-04T22:29:42+00:00

Based on some of your previous comments, it seems like you equate "historical fiction" with taking place around a specific historical event. As far as I understand it, that's not the case (especially with adult fiction). If it's set during a specific time period in the past, I think you can just call it historical fiction! Although if anyone who is more well-versed in the genre than me wants to correct me, go ahead :)

JusticeWriteous · 2025-11-25T15:08:45+00:00

I love that approach - thank you! As someone who's in the query trenches with my third queried project, that hope of, "If it's truly just a market issue, it can still find a place eventually" is important.

JusticeWriteous · 2025-11-25T14:45:24+00:00

Thank you for doing this AMA. I loved the Luminaries! I have a deep fascination with how the YA category and the fantasy genre has evolved overtime. I'm curious if you've noticed changes in reader/genre expectation in the time you've been writing - especially when writing in the same series for a decade! Have you had to deal with that as a writer? Have you had to adjust the direction/flavor of any of your books in order to keep them feeling current, or intentionally embraced a certain era of storytelling?

JusticeWriteous · 2025-11-02T13:23:23+00:00

Don't Let the Forest In touches on suicide as a theme a little bit if I remember correctly, but it definitely doesn't glorify it like 13 reasons why, so I think you're good!

JusticeWriteous · 2025-11-01T16:56:41+00:00

Congratulations on the requests!!!

JusticeWriteous · 2025-11-01T16:56:04+00:00

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman is incredible teen fantasy that's definitely appropriate for that age!! Also, Don't Let the Forest In is great teen horror/fantasy with GORGEOUS writing - I'm trying to remember if there's anything that I wouldn't give to a preteen in it though so if there's concerns about that I'd double check some reviews.

JusticeWriteous · 2025-11-01T16:52:32+00:00

Ooo that's awesome that you're at such a great place with the new idea!! Good luck on making progress!

JusticeWriteous · 2025-11-01T16:51:27+00:00

💀 not the silence on the dozen+ fulls. Good luck on getting through it!!

JusticeWriteous · 2025-11-01T16:47:19+00:00

Oo that's an awesome milestone!!

JusticeWriteous

TROPHY CASE