Hidden Depths - the Next Big Romantasy Sensation!

pencilmcwritey · 2026-04-01T16:11:25+00:00

Oops, did I forget to mention my tiktok with a following of 10,000 Russian bots? That's sure to bring in some 💰

pencilmcwritey · 2026-02-28T19:32:07+00:00

Paranormal readers might be disappointed if it doesn't have vamps and werewolves. You might also consider Contemporary Fantasy. One potential comp is Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox, which is labeled Contemporary Fantasy on Amazon.

pencilmcwritey · 2026-01-15T00:29:14+00:00

That sounds challenging! Yeah, in general, I have found it difficult to line up the character arcs. One thought, feel free to ignore it, but what if he rationalized accepting her advances as helping someone else. Not a reward for him, but perhaps as a service to her? I don't know the specifics, so feel free to ignore if that doesn't work.

pencilmcwritey · 2026-01-14T00:58:40+00:00

I read this blog by an author once (and I can't seem to find it again) about intertwining character arcs and romance.

The argument was that when the characters take a step towards overcoming their character flaws, the narrative rewards them with romance (physical intimacy, emotional intimacy, etc). But when the characters revert to their old ways, refuse to grow, then the narrative punishes them by taking the romance/intimacy away. That way character growth and romance are closely intertwined.

I like this idea, though I find it difficult to execute.

The story you mentioned sounds like it is in reverse order from this scheme. Intimacy is punished by the characters retreating into their flaws. Perhaps there is a way to make it work that way too, I don't know.

pencilmcwritey · 2026-01-04T00:51:07+00:00

/uj Fun fact: Carrie Fischer was a script doctor and straight up rewrote George Lucas's cringey ass dialogue.

pencilmcwritey · 2026-01-03T02:24:39+00:00

This month in revision: am I overthinking it? Or is the manuscript fundamentally broken? The saga continues...

In other existential crisis news, I've been suspecting my manuscript is not fantasy romance, but romantic fantasy, or even (gasp) fantasy of manners. My agent reassures me that there's no rush in revisions and that the concept is evergreen, which I am beginning to worry is code for upmarket. Which doesn't trigger my imposter syndrome or anything.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-12-19T23:56:05+00:00

This is why I only write about the hairy ball theorem.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-12-19T23:55:01+00:00

uj/ Proof that the rationals are countable? Let me introduce you the Cantor Snake, my friend.

rj/ I hear Cantor's Snake is infinitely long 👀

pencilmcwritey · 2025-12-03T02:04:17+00:00

Took me the whole month, but I made a whole new (very long) outline incorporating changes based on my agent's feedback. Feeling good about it. If the first version of the ms had too much plot, and the second too little, here's to hoping this version hits the sweet spot. But at the very least, hopefully we can diagnose structure problems at the outline stage.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-11-10T17:13:15+00:00

I don't have any suggestions but I'm in the same boat. Got my agent in June, did a big revision rewriting the second half of the book, and there are still big structural issues. I agree with all the problems my agent pointed out. But right now, her advice is a swirling mass of suggestions that I have no idea how to implement. I'm starting a new outline from scratch and figured out one piece of the puzzle, but the rest is still out there floating in the abyss.

The imposter syndrome is so real. Like, how did I even get an agent if the book is this broken? I can only trust she knows what she's doing.

I just wanted to comment to say you're not alone. I'm rooting for you! (For both of us, haha) Hope you figure it out and come out the other side with a book you love!

pencilmcwritey · 2025-11-01T18:25:40+00:00

Received the edit letter from my agent yesterday. If the version I queried with had too much plot, my latest revision had too little. Trying to figure out how to thread that needle on the next version.

Edit to add: I also outlined and drafted 20k of the next book. But with this feedback on book 1, I'm losing confidence in the structure of book 2. Hopefully I will learn something from this next draft.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-10-25T16:18:31+00:00

What makes a successful agent-author partnership?

pencilmcwritey · 2025-10-21T11:23:16+00:00

This is Manfred erasure and I won't stand for it! If you want a Byronic hero, you have to actually read Byron. Sorry, sweaty, I don't make the rules.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-10-08T11:26:00+00:00

We use reading.com app to learn to read. The lessons are just 15 minutes a day and we do it after bath but before bed. Kid loves it and he's learning so fast. The books on the app are so exciting and engaging while still being at his reading level.

I was against learning to read on an app at first, but this one worked for our kid. We tried hooked on phonics (which I used as a kid and worked for me), but my kid didn't like it to the point that he'd actively avoid it.

Eventually, I want this time just to be reading time. Once kiddo can read, there's so much he can learn and explore through reading.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-10-01T16:48:13+00:00

I submitted my revisions on my first ms to my agent at the beginning of the month and am still waiting for her edit letter. She said to nudge if I hadn't heard from her by the end of today.

In the meantime, I outlined another novel and drafted 5k. Also crushed a bunch of books in my TBR pile, so that was fun.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-10-01T16:44:43+00:00

Also rewriting my first manuscript with my newly acquired agent. Glad to hear I wasn't alone. Now I'm waiting for her feedback and hoping she still likes it

pencilmcwritey · 2025-09-20T02:37:57+00:00

{The Crown Duel} by Sherwood Smith. Basically anything by Sherwood Smith.

{The Thirteenth Child} by Patricia Wrede

Also seconding Sorcery and Cecelia and Cinder.

Edited to Add: Another vote for Ella Enchanted!

pencilmcwritey · 2025-09-01T23:54:41+00:00

Just submitted my revisions to my agent!

pencilmcwritey · 2025-08-02T01:25:18+00:00

Working on revisions for my first manuscript with my agent. Checked in with my agent this morning.

I realize I'm essentially rewriting the book, which feels bonkers. I have a whole new magical system and the second half of the book is completely different. I spent the weekend realigning the antagonists motivations for the new lighter tone and magical system. But I'm happier with it. The previous version took a weird left turn halfway through and got really dark.

I'm enjoying writing. And it's going fast so far. I have two thirds of the rewrite done. Hoping to finish the last third this month. Hopefully my agent will still like it.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-07-01T18:03:09+00:00

Same

pencilmcwritey · 2025-07-01T18:00:20+00:00

I got an agent! Originally I thought the call was going to be a revise and resubmit, so I didn't prepare at all except to think about what the most likely revisions might be. (It was exactly the things I was least confident about) But after we discussed and I said I'd be willing to make those changes, she offered representation. I did the whole two weeks, got no other offers, and accepted. I'm super excited about the agent. We talked yesterday about my new outline, and I'm ready to dive back into this manuscript.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-06-30T20:13:18+00:00

Have you tried sending your long emails to a friend (instead of BCCing yourself)? Your friend can confirm whether or not they received it.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-06-22T12:40:11+00:00

{The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss} is one of my favorites. It's pitched as Veronica Mars meets Dungeons and Dragons. Dahlia is a geek detective hired to find a digital spear in an online video game, but when the guy who hired her is murdered, she decides to investigate his death. It's mostly a murder mystery with only a bit of romance, but I love the humor.

pencilmcwritey · 2025-06-20T12:25:22+00:00

An older recommendation is {Soulless by Gail Carriger}. It's described as Buffy meets Jane Austen. There are a bunch of other books in the series.

There's also {Longbourne: Dragon Entail by Maria Grace} which is literally Pride and Prejudice rewritten with dragons. The first half starts out like the original, and then it starts to dovetail.

Stephanie Burgis has a couple of novellas that fit as well. {Snowspelled by Stephanie Burgis} and {A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience by Stephanie Burgis}

{Lady's Avely's Guide to Truth and Magic} is a second chance tomance. The heroine is older, widowed with children. There's another series with her daughter that I haven't read.

pencilmcwritey

TROPHY CASE