My Publishing Journey… Thus Far

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Writing My Trilogy

As mentioned in previous blog posts, I began writing at a young age. By fourteen, I regularly wrote fanfiction novels about my favorite show, Star Trek: The Original Series. Later, I wrote fanfiction about Star Trek: The Next Generation and, in adulthood, about House M.D. I did write the odd original fiction short story or novella. None of these did I share with my family and friends (though the House M.D. fanfiction was shared on fanfiction websites). It wasn’t until my husband and I moved to the United Arab Emirates for his career that I had more alone time than I knew what to do with. Then, I decided I would pass the long hours writing an original novel that I would eventually try to have traditionally published.

I began brainstorming ideas, using my past experiences in life as stepping stones or jumping-off points for ideas. Finally, I had a basic theme, premise, and outline in mind. From there, I created my main characters. At first, I was a pantser, simply writing my first draft without further consideration of plot, conflict, setting, or any other elements involved in writing a novel. After completing my first draft in three months, I read through it and nearly scrapped it. It was terrible. I chewed myself out, telling myself I was a horrible writer and questioning my thoughts. How could I believe someone like me could write anything original worth reading?

That’s when I began receiving ads on my social media and Pinterest for writing courses. I realized that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I’d been writing most of my life but never took a formal writing class. I didn’t think I could convince my husband to shell out money for what was then considered just my “little hobby,” so I began reading blog posts about writing skills I found as pins on Pinterest. From there, I found free courses and seminars I could take. I learned so much about writing that I didn’t know before. Instead of pitching my first draft, I decided to revise it using some of the skills and information about writing I was learning.

The second draft of what I initially titled From Sackcloth and Ashes took me twice as long to write as the first draft because I created an actual outline and character sketches first. I plotted how to fit my story idea to fit the Fictean Curve and tried to incorporate my themes. I set the manuscript aside for a month, and when I returned to it, I realized that it was much better than my first draft but still had a long way to go.

I found a couple of beta readers for my manuscript. While I waited for them to read and comment on my first book, I dreamed up a sequel and a third book to follow the first, creating my first trilogy. I was so pumped. I dreamed this would become a winning series that people would jump to read. When I received my manuscript back from my beta readers, I realized I had a long way to go. At first, I reacted defensively, angry at the constructive criticism I received. My husband was the one who reminded me that I was a beginner and that I could be angry and spiteful, or I could stomp on my pride and accept the criticism and use it to learn to write better. He was right. I worked on my third draft for another four months and then put it away again.

I decided it was time to outline my second book in the series while I gave the first break a much-needed break so I could return to it in a few months with fresh eyes and a less biased perspective. After a month of prewriting, I began my second manuscript, which I tentatively titled To the Ashes. Five months later, I completed my second novel's first draft in the Ashes trilogy. It was time to put it away and return to the first manuscript. I read it through, did a lot of chopping (over 10,000 words), and then sent it to two more beta readers. Both returned it within a month with primarily glowing reviews and only a few suggestions for improvement. I knew I was on the right track. I set to work on another draft, between 90 and 100000 words. Once it was complete, it was time to put it away again and work on To the Ashes. I went through the same process with the second manuscript as far as drafts and beta reading were concerned. While I waited for it to be critiqued, I began pre-writing the third novel in the trilogy, which for the longest time had only the name Three. It now holds the title of Hope from the Ashes and is in its third incarnation. When I find the time and courage, I’ll also find beta readers for it.

From Drafting to Editing

It was time to begin editing my latest draft for From Sackcloth and Ashes, which I renamed Ashes of Injustice. I bought a self-editing book and spent hours reading other writers’ blog posts about how to copyedit and proofread one’s manuscript. I went step by step, spending weeks on it, using every grammar and spell checker I had and following other guidelines I found on the Internet. Once convinced it was the best I could make it, I bit the bullet and hired a professional editor to copyedit my manuscript. After reading my manuscript, she gave me a discount on her usual fee, saying she seldomly received manuscripts as well self-edited as mine. It was gratifying to hear that. I’d put much effort into it.

While waiting for my editor to complete her work over a matter of months, I continued to draft and redraft the second manuscript, titled Ashes to Ashes. I sent it to beta readers and received more good reviews and helpful criticism, which I used to improve the draft. I also worked on the second and third drafts of “Hope from the Ashes.” My third manuscript is where I need to send it for another round of beta reading. My second manuscript is at the point where I’m prepared to send it to my editor.

Once my editor returned my first manuscript, I carefully reviewed and employed most of her edits. After all, she’s much better educated in the English language and form than I am. She suggested some changes that I disagreed with, but for the most part, I applied her work. It was now time to find a literary agent.

Querying Agents: Not as Simple a Process as I Had Anticipated

Again, I showed my ignorance regarding querying literary agents to represent my manuscript. I did no more homework than to look up a list of Christian literary agents (sadly, very few are to be found in Canada, and I had to turn to the American market) and write a blanket form letter to send to each one. Fortunately, right before I sent out my first batch, I read an article that stressed the importance of researching the ‘wish lists’ of each agent to ensure they represented not only my genre but also my writing style.

I spent days in front of my computer looking up the agents I found on a list online, trying to pick out those who came close to accepting manuscripts like mine. I created a proposal for Ashes of Injustice and a general query letter that I adjusted for each agent I sent it to. Then, I sent out about thirty on my first day. It took me twelve hours to send them all out. In the following two weeks, I sent out about forty more.

I received my first rejection within twenty-four hours. The email response was terse. The agent said nothing more than, “This isn’t for me.” Period. I must admit that stung, and I was frustrated that he hadn’t detailed what was wrong with my manuscript. One day later, I received a rejection from the agency I most wanted to accept me. It hurt a lot. His comment was only slightly more detailed. “I can’t sell this. Best wishes for success with another agent.” Wow. No explanations and terse, uncaring rejections. As the rejections trickled in from the other agents, I quickly learned that this was par for the course. I read other blogger’s posts who wrote that literary agents are so busy and receive so many query letters that they don’t have time to explain why they rejected my manuscript. I’ve discovered that most agents don’t even bother sending a rejection email. After eight to twelve weeks, no response is assumed to be a “no.”

I sent about 130 queries to agents, and about half have responded, all of those rejections. Though I’ve gradually developed a tougher skin to rejection, it still stings to receive one in my inbox. To say that I’m disappointed is an understatement.

As it currently stands, Ashes of Injustice is in limbo. No agent has shown me a positive response or asked to read my manuscript. I am very discouraged and question the quality of my writing and my skill as an author. My husband frequently reminds me that it might not be my manuscript that is the problem. It might simply be the nature of such a competitive industry that most queries sent to agents get rejected without being looked at. It’s a numbers game.

Since sending out written queries, I’ve had the opportunity to pitch my manuscript face-to-face with five literary agents over Zoom, thanks to my attendance at two writers’ conferences this last summer. Each pitch afforded me ten minutes of the agents’ time. I got more feedback from them as to why they rejected my manuscript. The prevailing opinion is not that my concept or manuscript is lacking but that I don’t have a significant enough social media and internet presence with my author’s platform to interest publishers. If an agent can’t convince a publisher I have a large enough following to sell books, they can’t sell my manuscript. If the agent can’t sell my manuscript, they make no money. Hence, I was rejected.

What’s Next in My Journey?

I would be lying if I said I haven’t been feeling greatly discouraged and have been tempted to give up on my dream of traditionally publishing my manuscript. However, I’m too stubborn to give up on my dream that quickly. I’ve only been trying to find an agent for four or five months, which is nothing compared to the journey of other authors who have traditionally published or self-publish their work. And the growing trend in today’s increasingly competitive and restricted market is toward self-publishing.

I don’t intend to go the route of self-publishing yet. I’m not finished attempting to find an agent for one of my manuscripts. Besides writing my Ashes trilogy, I’ve completed drafts of three other manuscripts, including one very promising manuscript that is currently being beta-read and will undergo at least one more draft before self-editing and then professional editing. Within the year, I will also submit queries for this manuscript.

In the meantime, I’m taking the advice of literary agents I’ve spoken with and working at building my author’s platform, increasing my following on social media, my exposure on Pinterest, and my number of subscribers to my email newsletter, all while attempting to produce quality content for my blog. I’m trying to employ tactics I read in Tim Grahl’s book, Your First 1000 Copies and his “Connection System” to grow my email subscriber base and create a network of fans and support for my work. It will take time and effort, but I’m up to the challenge. I’m also trying to disseminate some of my writing on my blog. Check out my novel Filling the Cracks if you haven't read it. I’m posting it in weekly installments for free on my blog. You can locate all the chapters I’ve posted by clicking here and check back each Wednesday for a new chapter.

You can help me on my publishing journey by subscribing to my monthly email newsletter below. In my newsletter, I keep you updated and informed on what is happening on my website and blog. Those who subscribe will receive a free thank-you gift from me: exclusive access to the Prologue of my novel Filling the Cracks, which I am posting one chapter at a time every Wednesday on my blog. Chapter Six is currently available. You can start with Chapter One by clicking here. Check out my home page on my website, www.paulinejgrabia.com, for more information about Filling the Cracks and my other projects. Check out the list of related blog posts available.

Thank you again for reading! Please share this blog with your friends and family, and return next week for my next post. May God bless you richly!

Pauline J. Grabia

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