While I edit and revise my new book, I’ve been taking small breaks to write my next one(I’m very excited about this) and to tidy up my Blogsite. I’ve changed the look and layout and I’m happy with the outcome. It’s not perfect, but it’s much better than the elementary one I had before.
Lately, I found that I was receiving a lot of vague spam comments and emails. I just spent the last two hours cleaning up and managing my subscriptions to blogs. I had to unfollow and follow a few as there were double follow links for some odd reason.
I’ve been trying to catch up with some of the serial stories, articles and poems being written by some fabulous bloggers, and I know I’m missing a few. (Which is why I tidied up my subscriptions) All of this takes time, and my brain is bogged down so it’s taking longer than I would like.
I’m not sure how I’m going to proceed with my blog posts, at the moment the ‘what I’ve learned’ posts will be once a week. I’ll be checking in with a more personal post(such as this one) to say hi and update on progress, randomly.
I do have exciting news, I’m looking into a professional Editor/copyeditor to review my first 50 pages, my query letter and synopsis for Prophecy Ink. After a 100% rejection for BiaAtlas, I figured I would take a step back and revisit some ideas about editing. This is and will be an investment for Prophecy Ink which is a smaller more action-packed book than BiaAtlas which is more in-depth and character driven.
I’m curious to see what they will say and do to my work. All of which I will share for those interested. I’m letting BiaAtlas sit(Much to my fan’s chagrins) for a little while before I pick it up and revise it again. I feel that the fault is in the query and synopsis. Hopefully, when I get Prophecy Ink done, I’ll have a more clear Idea where to take BiaAtlas.
If you’re wondering why not get a professional edit on BiaAtlas, the person investing the cost to edit, likes Prophecy Ink more. I’m not complaining, both books are good. That’s not to say I won’t be thinking about it in the future for BiaAtlas.
This all stems down to live and learn, the query is the most important part of the road to publishing. They are the toll-gate, the barrier through which you can only pass if you get it right. Perfectly right. In every way. As frustrating as that may be, I get it, with hundreds and thousands of people querying their books it’s tough competition. The agents can say nay a lot easier if there are blaring or simple errors. If it’s not catchy or perfect, they can move on to someone else’s query. Just like job interviews, if you don’t nail it, there are hundreds of others lining up for a shot. The market of queries is not in the writer’s favour. Sounds super negative, it’s not. They demand perfection(despite what some might say), and they get it. The trick is to be that writer giving perfection.
It’s hard to please and easy to get a no. There is something called a slush pile, the imaginary place where all rejections go. Since submissions are digital, that delete button is super duper easy to press.
So here I go again, preparing for the query battleground. I have some experience, more knowledge(Thanks to some lovely books and articles) and I’m going to tackle it again. This time I’ll go slower, and I’ll share my advice, mistakes and efforts along the way.
-Sheryl
PS, my thanks to a good blogging friend for helping me learn how to create nicer looking links. My next project will be to make my blogs easier to navigate.
Sheryl,
Good luck with the querying process. It is such a pain. I have sort of given up because I have been busy with work and school. It is nice to see that someone else is going through the struggle of having to have it perfect. The way you describe it as a barrier is very accurate. I think that if you stick to it, you will do well. I will be back at it when I am done with my semester. 😀
Thank you Jess, It’s a pain for sure, but I won’t give up, I can’t. I understand the obstacles of life after taking a necessary three-month blogging break to work on my book and deal with life. Taking time off for life is a good thing, life is after all what fuels our imaginations.
I have my filter for comments set at the highest level, so that any spam just shows up on my Dashboard and I can do a quick delete. I don’t know if this will help with any future cleanup for you. The odd legitimate comment ends up there, so you just have to be careful.
Really delighted you popped in and explained with an update on what’s happening with both books, your blog and your plans. I’ve followed you since I first found wp and I have enjoyed our interactions, your comments, thoughts, and shares. Many of which have been so vital and important and have led me on a new world of discovery. You are very appreciated. Thank you. And, I’m hoping you get good news! You deserve it. You’ve been diligent about seeking learning and growing both personally and in your writing. xoxo
I wrote a book. Now what? 
Sheryl,
Good luck with the querying process. It is such a pain. I have sort of given up because I have been busy with work and school. It is nice to see that someone else is going through the struggle of having to have it perfect. The way you describe it as a barrier is very accurate. I think that if you stick to it, you will do well. I will be back at it when I am done with my semester. 😀
Jess
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Thank you Jess, It’s a pain for sure, but I won’t give up, I can’t. I understand the obstacles of life after taking a necessary three-month blogging break to work on my book and deal with life. Taking time off for life is a good thing, life is after all what fuels our imaginations.
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Finally. Text I can see! I might need new glasses. 😘 Have a good day.
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I have my filter for comments set at the highest level, so that any spam just shows up on my Dashboard and I can do a quick delete. I don’t know if this will help with any future cleanup for you. The odd legitimate comment ends up there, so you just have to be careful.
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I adjusted my comment and spam filters. I think it helped. I’ll know for sure by tomorrow. Thanks.
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Fingers crossed. 🙂 Glad to help.
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Really delighted you popped in and explained with an update on what’s happening with both books, your blog and your plans. I’ve followed you since I first found wp and I have enjoyed our interactions, your comments, thoughts, and shares. Many of which have been so vital and important and have led me on a new world of discovery. You are very appreciated. Thank you. And, I’m hoping you get good news! You deserve it. You’ve been diligent about seeking learning and growing both personally and in your writing. xoxo
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Thank you, you’re so sweet and kind. Blogging every day was just taking too much of my focus. I’m much happier with a more relaxed approach this time.
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Good. That’s important. It helps keep things fresh. When it becomes work, it’s not fn.
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Thanks for checking out a recent post. I’ m glad you enjoyed it.
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No problem.
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