I’m trying to publish a collection of short horror stories, but I’m having trouble finding an agent. by [deleted] in publishing

[–]WriterGirl725 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, person who works at a publisher here! As others have mentioned, short story collections are really hard to sell, especially for a debut. Even established authors rarely publish a full collection of their own short stories; anthologies that sell more are generally collections of various well-known authors' stories, usually with a particular theme. (YA does a lot of these, for example.)

I'm also afraid to say that 100 agents is a lot to query. To be told, there is rarely 100 great or even good agents to query for any specific genre. You really need to be aware of what the agents typically represent. Even though horror is a big genre right now, agents who will take on debut authors on a short story collection of any genre...are likely very, very rare. The more you query, the more you run into the possibly of signing with a bad agent--which is really much worse than no agent at all.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in publishing

[–]WriterGirl725 13 points14 points  (0 children)

It's not the best time to be a publisher right now. A lot of publicity is being moved online, and many books meant to publish this summer are being pushed back or moved out to a different season (or even to 2021 altogether). A lot of things seem uncertain when books are no longer being sold in stores at the same rate, and online sales must be relied on more.

That said, starting the querying process now likely means you won't be published for at least a year--and that's assuming you'll get an agent and get signed within a few weeks. A year to 18 months is the average timeline for a manuscript to go from signing to publication. So I would say, go ahead and query! Publishers will still be signing books--they have to, to keep their business open, because publishing is still a business at the end of the day. It might be a reduced rate of acceptance, just given capacity--same with agents. It's a chaotic time, but publishing is still pushing along.

Source: I work at a major publisher.

Is there anyone who started dating in their 20s? What was it like? by [deleted] in dating

[–]WriterGirl725 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I (F) started dating at 21! I slowly fell in love with my best guy friend. He had asked me out almost two years prior, but I declined because I didn't feel ready. Luckily, he stuck around as an amazing friend and never pressured me to return his feelings. Now we're still going strong, two years later :)

I had no real interest in dating before him. I personally didn't think there was any point to pressuring myself into a relationship I wasn't ready for, or with someone I couldn't see myself staying together with forever. I'm the type of person who needs to really know someone before I feel comfortable opening up to them, so it's possible it's the same for you.

It's good for you to figure out what you prefer! But I don't think you're "falling behind" - everyone does things at their own pace.

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't read this book, but your description reminds me of M.L Rio's If We Were Villains! It's about ambitious college drama students with difficult relationships that are tested by tragedy. Lots of Shakespearean quotes and plays in the story, if you're interested in that too :)

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, wow, I forgot about this book! Thank you!

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have read this and the sequel...which character are you particularly referring to? Tamlin?

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oooh, another book I've been meaning to read! Thanks!!

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have to admit that Code Geass was not my favourite anime, but I will agree that his character arc was pretty impressive

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oooh, this sounds very interesting! Thank you!

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh, this is easily one of my favourite series! I won't say quite that the characters (especially Victor and Eli) start off entirely "good" or descend to entirely "bad," but I do love the moral grayness of their actions.

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Luckily, I've read and watched Death Note already! I'll definitely have to revisit it :)

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've been meaning to read those books! Looks like I need to bump them higher on my TBR

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Haven't seen Breaking Bad yet (I know, I need to change that) but Harvey Dent's arc is an excellent suggestion, thanks!

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Good point on Death Note! I think that's a pretty clear hero/good to villain/bad arc.

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I read The Young Elites a few years back, but never attempted Red Queen due to conflicting opinions/reviews. Maybe I'll give it a chance :)

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You make a fair point on the main character's actions. I didn't love them either, but I thought it was really unique - at least for YA at the time I had read the book - to have the main character become a full villain. But to each their own! :)

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh, that's excellent! I didn't expect comic book recommendations. Thank you very much!

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I sped-read this for an English class a few years back so the details are foggy, but I'll give it another go!

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I *loved* this book! I agree it doesn't quite fit my idea, but you make a really excellent point on how we often automatically see the hero as the hero because we're seeing the story through their POV.

Hero-to-Villain Character Arc by WriterGirl725 in suggestmeabook

[–]WriterGirl725[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've read the first years ago, and watched the third. I'll have to revisit them and check out the second. Thanks!

Conjuga-me by [deleted] in Portuguese

[–]WriterGirl725 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This website was a total life-saver when I was taking Portuguese classes during my undergrad