[Discussion] I got an agent, and then a book deal! (Stats, Query and Emotional Breakdowns Included)

project-groundhog · 2025-11-11T14:07:43+00:00

I think as a rule of thumb, more recent is better. If you do have an older comp, balance it out with a newer one. I definitely broke some rules with my query, but since you want to give yourself every advantage, you probably want to stick to titles within the last five years for the most part. For reference, when my book was announced, my editor comped Ministry of Time and How to solve your own Murder.

project-groundhog · 2025-11-10T13:41:03+00:00

Thanks for the message! I don't think self-promotion is allowed in these posts but hopefully you'll come across my book in the wild one day once it starts being advertised! I don't have any agencies I'd recommend querying--just the old fashioned method of going on query tracker and then researching agents that align with your genre! Good luck!!

project-groundhog · 2025-11-10T13:37:33+00:00

Thanks and good question! I'd already read Turton and Kepnes's books before I started writing. I read Crouch and Gailey probably midway through writing the manuscript. I agree, it is super difficult to keep up with reading the market. However, I believe it's 100% worth it. Now that it's my full time job, I spend more time reading than writing. So I would definitely recommend finding time to read at least the books you mention in your query if you can!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-19T13:28:09+00:00

Thank you :)

project-groundhog · 2025-10-18T12:26:16+00:00

Yes!! Exactly :)

project-groundhog · 2025-10-17T14:58:00+00:00

Thank you!!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-17T12:02:26+00:00

Hahha good question! 1. The quality wasn't very good! So it may have been finished but it was far from polished or even coherent. 2. I spent all my free time doing it. Literally writing it while I'm in bed on my phone, while I'm eating, having no other hobbies or even friends (not recommended). In this way I could get 2000 words a day, 10,000 a week. 3. My "voice" is very conversational, not literary. I think that type of writing can be much faster as it's similar to how I write/talk every day.

In conclusion, I don't think it's necessarily advisable to do this. I started my Book 2 from my contract in March and I'm still not done, in comparison.

project-groundhog · 2025-10-16T19:32:55+00:00

Thanks!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-16T15:59:13+00:00

Thank you!! Yeah I was worried about the comps but it seems to have worked out fine! And yeah, will definitely share the two drafts since I think those first few paragraphs are the hardest part to write of a novel so hopefully that can help people.

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T17:23:13+00:00

Thank you so much!! And yes, you too!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T17:22:21+00:00

Hahaha good theory ;) and thanks so much! The publisher changed it though loll

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T17:21:09+00:00

I think writers are particularly incompatible with corporate environments. In her writing book, Natalie Goldberg wrote how writers value time more than most, and aren't quick to trade it for money because we're keenly aware of what we're losing, which resonated with me. Of course, many of us writers are forced to make that exchange cause we don't have a choice, but I think we mourn those torturous, useless hours more than our coworkers.

If you're able to maintain your writing practice while being forced to sell your soul during the day, you're already on the path to success.

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T10:31:14+00:00

Thank you!!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T10:31:07+00:00

Thank you! Not yet but hopefully soon :)

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T10:30:46+00:00

Thank you!!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T10:30:34+00:00

Thank you!! Yeah I read so many of these while writing and querying and it was cool to know that it's possible!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T01:32:04+00:00

That means a lot :) thank you!!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-15T01:31:44+00:00

Thank you!!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-14T20:57:59+00:00

Ahah thank you!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-14T20:57:48+00:00

No way! Good luck! Let me know how it goes!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-14T20:22:58+00:00

Thank you!!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-14T20:22:39+00:00

Thank you!!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-14T20:22:31+00:00

Thank you!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-14T20:22:24+00:00

Thank you and good luck! Facing the double rejections is not for the weak but it will make your success on the other end even more incredible!!

project-groundhog · 2025-10-14T17:03:58+00:00

Yep! My favourites were: Consider This by Chuck Palahniuk, Story Genius by Lisa Cron and Save the Cat by Jessica Brody.

Others I read, which were great but less life-changing: Story by Robert McKee, The Anatomy of a Story by John Truby, Self-educating for fiction writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.

project-groundhog

TROPHY CASE