One Week Becomes Two

Hang on, folks. There's a new post a-coming. I promise.

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know:

1. I'm still alive.
2. All three of my early queries bombed out.
3. I've been broken up over it.
4. So much so, that I've not done much writing in the last two weeks.
5. I am not quitting, though I have had the thought.
6. Today I sent a query to an agent from my Relentless Writers FB group.
7. I posted three pitches for BLESSED in today's #PitMad on Twitter, for which
8. I've received two #PitMad favorites - both from small publishers, rather than agents.
9. #PitMad is open for another three hours, meaning there's hope for more.
10. I'll be sending queries for #PitMad requests this evening after dinner, and
11. Hopefully, I'll be back to writing in earnest by tomorrow.

There ya go. I'm crushed, but not dead. Hope rises again.

Thank you to Brenda Drake for coordinating #PitMad, and to all the #PitMad agents and publishers for participating. Especially those who favorited my pitches. Y'all rock!

See you again soon!

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré

O.J. Barré is author of the upcoming BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS trilogy. Book One, COMING HOME, is finished and in query. The first draft of Book Two, COMING TO, is nearing completion, and Book Three, COMING FULL CIRCLE, is swirling in the mists of creation.

I'm Tore Down

The life of a writer is a lonely one, filled with ups, downs and sideways thumps. Finishing a fantasy novel after six years of hard work is definitely an up. As is the excitement of having readers love your characters, your storyline, and your book.

A month ago, I began the process of finding a literary agent, someone who loves BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS: COMING HOME, has a can-do attitude, connections in the publishing industry, and the cajones to fight to get my novel published, for the most money, and into readers’ hands.

Ideally, my agent will be proficient in foreign rights, movie rights, and subsidiary rights. Because I’m convinced BLESSED can be both an international bestseller, and a blockbuster movie.

I know, I know. I’m not asking much. But isn’t that what every author wants? Maximum exposure for your literary baby?

My first query went to the (so far) dream agent. After reading my letter and first three pages, she requested 50 more. Riding a potent UP in which I KNEW this agent would love, love, LOVE my book, and ask to read the full manuscript, I waited patiently for the next request.

Then, THUMP came a dreaded “pass” email. She loves my characters and thinks I’m “very talented”, but the plot didn’t develop in the way she’d hoped. Not privy to her thoughts, I don’t know what this means, but her pass took the wind from my sails. A day later, a second agent declined, after reading only the query letter.

NEXT!

Keep querying. Keep writing. Keep my chin up. And know that the perfect agent will appear.

But, daaaammnnn. What a downer.

That I join a long (and illustrious) list of bestselling authors who were rejected repeatedly before being discovered, helps. I have another query out, and will soon email more, continuing the process until I find THE ONE.

Because I believe, no, I KNOW, she/he is out there, waiting for, praying for, my book.

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré

P.S. If you like rockin' blues, don't miss Calvin B. Streets' rendition of I'm Tore Down

O.J. Barré is author of the upcoming BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS trilogy. Book One, COMING HOME, is finished and being queried. The first draft of Book Two, COMING TO, is nearing completion, and Book Three, COMING FULL CIRCLE, is swirling in the mists of creation.