[AMA] I started querying agents in 2015...6 years, 4 novels, and SO MANY SETBACKS later - I finally have a book deal!

Hello Pubtips, it’s been a while! I just wanted to come in with some good news and some (hopefully) uplifting personal statistics of my ongoing publishing journey. I got my very first Publisher’s Weekly deal announcement! It’s been a long ride to get here, but here is a breakdown of my querying and submission timeline from my first book to announcement. Brace yourselves, it's gonna be a long one. Feel free to AMA.

-July 2013 Started writing book 1 (YA dystopian F)

-Sept 2015 Began querying #1 literally after writing 'the end' because I had no idea what I was doing (35 rejections, 2 full req, no rep offers)

-Nov 2015 Self published a children's picture book series that did well (and it still going strong - I release 2 each year) despite little marketing due to niche needs.

-Dec 2015 Started querying #2 (YA mermaid contemporary fantasy, still learning about publishing so I mass queried instead of doing small batches) (93 rejections, 2 full req, no rep offers)

-Feb 2016 Entered #Pit2Pub with #1 and received an offer from a small Canadian press. Published with them but with low promotion it didn't sell many copies despite high reviews, and they ended up not paying royalties until I revered my rights. Lesson learned.

-June 2016 Started querying #3 (YA F) - Finally got enough knowledge about publishing to query successfully. I'm gonna break this down a bit more:

Initial queries: 8 queries - 4 partial requests

Lots of feedback saying the concept is great but the narrative needs work. Got several beta readers and did a major revision.

First major revision: Finished August 2016

21 queries - 2 partials 2 r&rs 1 full

Second major revision: Finished September 2016

16 queries - 1 partial 1 full

Entered P2P and got feedback from an editor to change the tense.

Third major revision: finished March 2017

13 queries - 2 partial requests 8 full requests 4 personalized rejections to fulls with suggestions before finally...

Offer of rep in August 2017 off a #PitMad like in June 2017

Second offer of rep!

-Aug 2017 Signed with first offered agent for #3! (total 58 rejections, 10 full req, 2 rep offers)

Overall, I had 183 query rejections, 10 partial requests, 14 full requests, 2 r&rs, and 2 offers of rep across 3 years and 3 novels.

-November 2017 Went on sub for #3 (round 1, 2 r&rs, no pub offers)

-April 2018 Finished #4 (MG F)

-Feb to May 2018 doing an r&r on #3

-June 2018 Sub for #3 (round 2, did not sell, both r&rs passed)

-Oct 2018 Sub for #3 (round 3, did not sell)

-May 2019 Sub for #4 (round 1, did not sell)

-July 2019 Began reformatting #3 from novel to graphic novel

-Oct 2019 Sub for #3 reformatted (1 round, went to 3 acquisitions meetings, 1 offer)

-Dec 2019 Received email offer for #3!

-Nov 2020 Illustrator found for #3

-Jan 2021 Contract

-Feb 2021 Announcement!

Overall, I had 63 editor passes, 2 failed r&rs, 2 failed acquisitions, and one offer over 3 years on sub, but I’m happy to say: There is light at the end of the tunnel!

Here's my announcement under Anna Kopp: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/85610-rights-report-week-of-february-15-2021.html?fbclid=IwAR1RwwgFhmLqcJr_zT56VZPNz6XJG-utJ_ZubIzrZj6-VfSuGNi9gLYATZA