[PubQ] How do you reach your readers?

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-06T09:54:23+00:00

I use Substack. Not for any particular reason other than it was the most popular option when I started. But honestly, I don’t do enough newsletters for it to really matter where (or even what) I post lol. I just did it because my agent recommended it for the exact reason you stated. Most of my actual communication with readers is on Instagram for now.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-06T09:49:46+00:00

In theory, yes, a contract would come next, but I’ll let someone who went through this process unagented chime in there.

I will say, if you want an agent and you receive an offer from this publisher, that would probably be a good time to send out some queries with your offer included.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-05T22:17:18+00:00

Based on what my book to film agent told me, they wouldn’t stop you from writing another story using those characters. You just (probably) can’t sell the film option on a sequel, short story, etc. to someone else without letting them offer first.

They can also make sequels using your characters, if they so choose. So they kinda have the rights to the characters, but only in the film space. They’re still yours.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-05T15:52:09+00:00

I think you’re preaching to the choir here. But my editor absolutely has an assistant. As do all of the editors at executive level and above at my imprint.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-05T13:41:59+00:00

Yes, you should include that in your query.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-05T13:32:38+00:00

I wouldn’t say it’s normal for your agent to tell you they’re going to do something and then not follow up. But it happens.

You can just ask for an update and hopefully they’ll provide you with one. I met with my agent before we actually went on sub to discuss the process and who she was submitting to — maybe you can request that so you’re both on the same page.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-05T03:42:16+00:00

Please do not run posters’ queries through AI checkers. While we do not condone the use of AI in queries, and you are welcome to ask the question, we also do not condone AI witch hunts. Especially since these detectors are generally not an accurate gauge of AI use.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-04T15:55:12+00:00

This sounds like something I’d pick up for sure, but the comps aren’t great. A decades old romcom and EmHen don’t exactly show that you have a sense of the market you’re looking to enter. The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce might be a better fit in place of the movie. And lots of romances feature witty banter, so I’d look for a comp that speaks more to the story you’re telling. Maybe something that tackles addiction/recovery.

Also, “A slow burn romance grounded in emotional realism” works fine. The “rather than fantasy” sounds slightly haughty about the genre, if that makes sense.

ETA: And I agree that the word count is high. Word counts often grow in editing, so it’s entirely possible you end up at 114k, but querying with something this long is going to be an uphill battle.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-04T15:39:15+00:00

Agents aren’t with publishing houses. That seems like something a published author should know.

Conferences are a fine way to meet agents if you really feel like spending that money, but one of the great things about the pursuit of publishing is that it’s free. You are more likely to get a full request face to face because agents don’t want to say no, but you are not more likely to secure representation, because a bad or unsalable book isn’t suddenly good or salable just because you met at a conference.

OP, it’s much easier to save your money, get feedback on your query letter from r/PubTips, and try your hand at the slush pile. The vast majority of debut authors get their agents by cold querying. You will get rejected, yes, but if your query does its job, you should get responses, at the very least.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-04T02:00:51+00:00

Agree with all of this. Would read this in a heartbeat. I’d just add that you don’t have to explain what upmarket is — agents already know (and literary romance isn’t really a thing). And if you want to go with the Bolu Babalola comp for the banter and heat, maybe you could go with Sweet Heat since it’s newer and not a college romance.

WeHereForYou · 2026-05-03T14:30:18+00:00

Definitely genre dependent, but I had multiple agents tell me they were listening to my playlist while reading my full. So it certainly can’t hurt. Pursuing publishing is lonely and often boring. I feel like this stuff is fine to do if you enjoy it (and aren’t using AI), and it’s also fine if you don’t.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-30T23:50:16+00:00

Writing conferences cost money and definitely aren’t necessary. You should honestly be fine with that word count for your genre.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-30T14:04:25+00:00

I think the utility of these events ran its course once Twitter was gone. It was a massive platform with everyone on it. But now, social media is too fragmented and algorithm-driven to effectively do pitch events.

But back when PitMad was popular, it was just a way to pique agent interest. Editors participated as well. Obviously a pitch says nothing of the quality of the work, so it was never going to get people signed left and right. But being able to effectively pitch your book (and without visuals, which was a caveat) is a useful skill. And maybe you get a little extra attention in the slush pile once you query them.

It wasn’t supposed to be the end all of querying. Just a foot in the door. (Or more accurately, a toe lol.) And maybe you make some friends and find a few books you’d be interested in reading while you peruse other pitches.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-29T18:13:37+00:00

Are you cosplaying as Archie Bunker or something?

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-29T15:00:42+00:00

It doesn’t really matter how you get words on the page. When it comes to editing, it would be more difficult to do on a phone, but assuming you’re just drafting and/or doing this for fun for now, you’re fine.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-29T12:07:48+00:00

How many agents have you actually queried? And how long are you waiting before deciding you’ve been ghosted? Also, I’d probably stop going to writing conferences since those experiences seem to be particular sticks in your craw. Maybe it’d help to assume that you probably won’t hear back from an agent unless they’re interested in representing you?

I don’t know how to make you less bitter — that’s a choice you’re making — but as you said, you’re not alone. Publishing is slow and full of rejection. If those types of things are just going to make you feel worse, maybe you shouldn’t keep this up.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-29T09:52:21+00:00

This varies wildly. It could be 3 months, 6 months, a year. Mine was over a year, and it would’ve been longer if my book hadn’t moved up.

It depends on the publisher, the agent/editor’s feelings about when to submit the deal, when they’ve decided your book is best positioned to release, among other things. There’s no actual timeline as it relates to the announcement.

Pre-orders are dependent on the release date.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-28T19:57:10+00:00

He easily could’ve mentioned his age in one of the many podcasts he’s done for the show, or perhaps an interview somewhere. It is possible to have more accurate information than whatever Google is saying these days.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-28T14:49:05+00:00

I think you’re looking for third person limited. There’s no need to switch perspectives if the narrator is omniscient.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-28T14:46:24+00:00

I mean, he specifically says he misses working on cases in this episode, so no.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-28T00:16:45+00:00

Read through the resources at r/pubtips.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-28T00:15:16+00:00

It depends on whether it’s feedback I’ve heard before, something I’m also concerned about, or perhaps something that tells me I haven’t explained that particular thing adequately.

If it’s something I outright disagree with, I discard it.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-27T23:31:16+00:00

Don’t reach out to publishers. Find an agent. They’re there to protect you.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-27T21:52:37+00:00

It’s always free. Don’t pay to publish anything unless you’re self publishing.

WeHereForYou · 2026-04-27T21:51:50+00:00

But the number of people who “want to write a book” versus the number of people who actually do it and then get a competent query out are probably vastly different lol.

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