Resuming the Query Journey
—Resuming the Query Journey—
As of this writing I’ve submitted seven queries featuring the reimagined version of Nightlighter. Each submission involves substantial research and personalization. This is nerve-wracking, as: A) First time I've queried since February 2022. And B) Pretty much everything (the reimagining of the book, the campaign, the thousands of hours, the myriad meetings and editorial conversations with Editor Amy, etc.) has led to this moment.
It's important to manage my expectations (last round of queries two years ago = 45 submissions, 45 rejections). But the book has seen a Frankenstein-esque makeover; I feel good about and proud of my work. Which, at the end of the day, is what matters.
I desperately, however, desire to see Nightlighter published and shared with the world. It’s a story that has become so deeply embedded in my life, so top of mind that I’d hate for it to be lost to the dark, unpublished crevices of my brain. Nightlighter has so much potential—the Junk Disko Universe—has so much potential. It’s a place of wonder, intrigue, violence, and deceit. Characters and elements all hardwired to achieve perfection. At its core, the JDU is a cautionary tale: perfection is unrealistic, unattainable, even. I believe in the product. I’m proud of the product.
The barrier to entry (the published author world), though, (I’ve learned) is stiff. Nay, it’s downright impenetrable. It seems as though you need a platform, or $$ or both or connections or connections with high-up, influential executives; or luck. Or maybe you need all these things. The past five years I’ve been toiling, working, exhausting my limited connections—all to no avail. It’s hard not to feel discouraged; some days I just want to throw in the towel, wave the white flag, call it a good run and give up.
But no. That’s not how I roll. Though yes, the competition is real and to just get my foot in the door seems impossible enough, I’m determined. Determined to bring Nightlighter to life. There are too many stories like mine (starving artist who makes it, etc.), too many opportunities to ‘make it’ that, 10 years from now, I don’t want to look back and ask ‘What if?’ What if I had just kept going? What if I spent a little more time networking or revising? What if I never gave up?
This is why I press on.
That’s all for now.
TJH -- 11.14.2023