J. McSpadden

I’m on rejection number 19. I know, not too many at all you say! But, I have sent out over 50 queries, and have ONLY received 19 rejections. That is a win, in some regards. I do honestly find enlightenment and encouragement in getting these rejections. I am getting closer, I can feel it.

This morning I received the most uplifting rejection so far and I wanted to share this with you:

Thank you so much for allowing our agency to consider your material. Unfortunately, after carefully reviewing your query, we’ve determined that this particular project isn’t the right fit for our agency at this time.  As I’m sure you know, the publishing industry changes swiftly now, as do readers’ tastes and trends. As a result, our own agents’ needs shift and change, as well; therefore, we would like to encourage you to consider querying us with future projects as you may deem appropriate. 

 Again, thank you very much for allowing us this chance to consider your material, and we wish you all the best in your publishing endeavors.

 Sincerely,

– The peeps that sent me a rejection 🙂 Because I am not going to name them!

Now full disclosure, I don’t think it was my novel so much as the query and the noted genre that I listed. This is where I am even having a bit of an internal struggle. Most would classify my book as New Adult Fantasy, some might consider it YA but I HATE to do that. The YA river of books getting published is just flooded with new content almost every day. I feel like in so many ways everyone is a bit tired of YA and they want something new. I feel like I have something new but unfortunately it has too many qualities of New Adult (which is a small difference from YA) to be considered something that is “different”.

For reference, here is my query:

Dear (Un-named Agent),

I’m currently seeking representation for my young adult fantasy novel, PRAETORIAN RISING. My manuscript is complete at 99,000 words and is the first in a planned series. Told in the distinctive voice of both protagonist and dynamic characters, PRAETORIAN RISING will appeal to fans of Sarah J. Maas and Marissa Meyer.

After waking in Sierra Village, a small town within the Kingdom of Aspera, Camille Scipio discovers she has no recollection of her previous life. She soon finds that despite the loss of her past, she has an exceptional range of extraordinary talents in fighting, hunting, and self-defense that speak of a possible dangerous path. After an attack on her village by a mysterious beast, Camille learns the truth of her identity; she is a genetically enhanced assassin; a Praetorian. Having little say in her trajectory, she is pulled into a crumbling rebellion against the tyrannical High King of Aspera, joining Vesyon Vestra, a mysterious friend of her family and Theo Shaehy, the self-proclaimed love of her past. Struggling to understand her place within the ranks of the rebellion, Camille is confronted with the horrors of her past deeds and the possibility of losing herself to an overwhelming darkness within. She must soon make a choice; loyalty to those fighting against the oppressive High King or succumbing to the crazed monster within and forging her own path.

Thank you so much for considering my submission, I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,
Jessica McSpadden

Now over all, I do believe there are some changes to be made to my query letter, the number one being that I don’t have anything for a bio. Most talk about their writing or publishing achievements but I am so green that I don’t have any achievements to speak of.

They said writing would be hard, they said that working on a novel is a very solo experience and overall it’s one of the biggest struggle in any writers life. I can agree with this. There is nothing I can do to change anyone’s mind. I have to just hope and pray that someone will see me for what my story is. Someone will see the gold mine, someone will discover what world I have created and think, “I finally found the one that will go the distance!”

Then I shrug and remember that at the end of the day it’s not about ultimate glory, I only want to know that there are people out there reading a story that I am very incredibly passionate about and maybe they will find passion in this story and these characters just as much as I have.

 (Un-named Agent),

I’m currently seeking representation for my young adult fantasy novel, PRAETORIAN RISING. My manuscript is complete at 99,000 words and is the first in a planned series. Told in the distinctive voice of both protagonist and dynamic characters, PRAETORIAN RISING will appeal to fans of Sarah J. Maas and Marissa Meyer.

After waking in Sierra Village, a small town within the Kingdom of Aspera, Camille Scipio discovers she has no recollection of her previous life. She soon finds that despite the loss of her past, she has an exceptional range of extraordinary talents in fighting, hunting, and self-defense that speak of a possible dangerous path. After an attack on her village by a mysterious beast, Camille learns the truth of her identity; she is a genetically enhanced assassin; a Praetorian. Having little say in her trajectory, she is pulled into a crumbling rebellion against the tyrannical High King of Aspera, joining Vesyon Vestra, a mysterious friend of her family and Theo Shaehy, the self-proclaimed love of her past. Struggling to understand her place within the ranks of the rebellion, Camille is confronted with the horrors of her past deeds and the possibility of losing herself to an overwhelming darkness within. She must soon make a choice; loyalty to those fighting against the oppressive High King or succumbing to the crazed monster within and forging her own path.

Thank you so much for considering my submission, I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,

Jessica McSpadden