2025 Update -- What I've Got Up My Sleeve
—2025 Update -- What I've Got Up My Sleeve—
(In Red Type, Just For You.)A few things:
Recommencing the NIGHTLIGHTER Query Journey.
Completing Novel Project #2
Querying Novel Project #2
Recommencing the NIGHTLIGHTER Query Journey
My last submitted query was in June 2024 following the Pittsburgh Writing Conference where I met with and pitched six agents. In 2024, I submitted 126 individual queries. Of those, I received 11 requests (4 full, 7 partial); the remaining 115: either rejections or no replies. Still no contract offers, but some great progress was made on the discipline front—this journey is not for the faint of heart. I also established networking relationships with a handful of agents who sparked real interest in some of my other projects.
In June of this year, I plan to recommence my NIGHTLIGHTER queries with a revamped query package. I spent the latter chunk of 2024 collecting more agents and contacts.
To those who supported me financially in my Indiegogo campaign and pre-ordered the book, fear not, I’m determined to bring the book to print. You will get a copy; it will just take a while. :)
Completing Novel Project #2
A year ago I began work on a new novel about a Danish immigrant sentenced to life on a prison isle after being convicted of second-degree murder. I’ve spent pretty much every week since toiling at and researching it—even visited Denmark as a quasi researched-based trip. Editor Amy and I meet most Fridays to review and revise chapters—some more cumbersome than others. It’s been a fun project outside the Junk Disko Universe, stretching writing muscles to which I’m not the most accustomed (toying with POV, genre-blending, etc.). I think folks will enjoy it. Especially fans of suspense and body horror.
As of this writing, I'm at 63,000 words. The goal is 80-90,000. I plan to have a revised draft complete by June.
Querying Novel Project #2
Querying is difficult. (A massive understatement.) I don’t enjoy it (you’re probably a twisted masochist if you do). But it’s the pathway to traditional publishing. Thus, I press on. With my few years’ experience, I’ve amassed the psychosocial armor requisite for the undertaking. Already I have a query letter draft, and a long list of agents at hand—and the rest of the package is not long unfinished. The project is a bit less heady than Nighlighter and could end up being more accessible to both readers and the market. I’ve also made a point to emphasize a few topical and culturally relevant buttons (fear not, they are naturally occurring in the story, not *barf in mouth* forced).
It’s been said to write what you know. Many agents these days prefer ‘own voices’ work. Novel Project #2 explores more of this for me and some of the ancestral and familial issues I grapple with, albeit with a few stomach-churning twists. The query slogging is set to commence mid-June, once the first revised draft is complete. I’ll query alongside NIGHTLIGHTER because I obviously value my sanity. I’ve already two agents interested and will hopefully be able to bypass the slush pile.
That’s all for now. More later, probably.
-Taylor
P.S. If you haven’t already, please join the official mailing list.
TJH -- 01.26.2025