How We Got Our Publishing Deal
“We need to chat.”
Those were the words that changed it all. Funny, how that sentence in other contexts can elicit anxiety and fear. Who wants to hear that when dating a person? Querying a novel is a lot like that–it takes the right person at the right time. And the right person at the wrong time is still the wrong person. But when everything does align, it’s magic.
It was in our wildest dreamers and humblest prayers that we would get here. To be writing that title, to have a contract sitting on our kitchen table, we finally get to say that the book of our hearts is going to be published.
QUERY STATS
From April 2023 to March 2024, we sent out 94 queries: 5 fulls, 13 partials.
(This doesn’t include the ones who don’t use Query Tracker.)
Before we began our journey, we submitted to RevPit: a contest with a full developmental edit as the prize from a stellar editor. We had gone through several rounds of beta readers and edits prior to our submission, so we felt confident that if we did not win, it meant that it was polished enough to query.
By April, the results were in: we made an editor short list! Bethany Hensel (@bethanyhensel13) had such heartwarming things to say about Project Flameheart. It really gave us the confidence we needed to push forward, while taking note of elements we could tweak before sending off our first batch of queries.
(On a side note, we highly recommend querying in batches of 10-20. It helps see if your package is effective before shooting your shot at everyone!)
Those first queries were okay. We got a couple individualized feedback in the rejections, but no requests. But the individualized rejections with actionable feedback was a clear sign we were going in the right direction–this is a project with potential!
One of the other editors, the amazing Maria Tureaud (@Maria_Tureaud), was offering discount packages for RevPit participants. We had her critique our query letter, synopsis, and first 50 pages. Her edits were so clear and helped tighten up the letter and synopsis so much. Not only that, but she made us look at the first 50 pages in a new light, helping us refine the first several chapters and illuminate more about our protagonist in a way that hooks and sells. She didn’t just edit our work, she taught us more about craft. Worth every penny.
So another batch of queries went out, this time coming back with our first partial request!
During the summer we also participated in #KidLitPit, #JoyPit and #PitDark on Twitter (X) and got three industry likes! It was very exciting for us. Pitch events were great with helping us nail down our pitch.
But, of course, two of those likes ended up ghosting us. It’s part of the game, sadly. About a quarter of our queries were marked as Closed/No Response. But the one agent who DID reply, asked for a partial. She took the time to give us real, actionable feedback on the first few chapters. We were so grateful she did so, and we applied what resonated with us before sending out another round of queries.
As we began this blog, timing is everything in this industry. Going into the fall, we started looking at small press publishers. One of them stood out above the rest; we adored what they put out, and their mission statement aligned with the heart of our book.
Sadly, their slots for fantasy were filled for the year. But they loved our premise and our husband/wife author duo to the point where they invited us to re-query in the new year.
Fall went by slowly, sending out more queries. We got fulls and partials and more ghosting. We were in it for the long haul. 2024 came, and that press opened up. We resubmitted, along with several other agents and presses. And as spring came, we decided that if we didn’t hear anything more concrete, we would start considering self-publishing.
But then, that email. The small press we queried a second time asked for the full manuscript. We were elated and sent it right away. About a week later, they sent another email congratulating us on our baby’s upcoming arrival. They also wanted to know what our plans were for the series, how we would juggle writing and newborn life, and what ideas we had for marketing.
Needless to say, these are very promising questions! One agency had marketing ideas as part of their proposal package, so we had already brainstormed several ideas about how to help launch our book. If you didn’t know, so much of that falls on the author (a blog for another time).
The publisher was impressed by our ideas and had several of her own. It would be another month for us to get the email offering us a publication deal with their press: Quill & Flame Publishing House.
The edits suggested by their editor resonated with us in every way. It was clear they understood the heart of the series and thought of a plan to reach those readers that need the story most. Deep in revisions for Book 1, we couldn’t be happier with where this path is headed for us.
We are so grateful for all who have helped us get to this point. The Writing Community on social media has been filled with supporters upon even just hearing our concept. Our alpha and beta readers helped make the draft that secured this deal what it became. Alex, Carrie, Emma, Kenton, Victoria–you all are amazing and we treasure the time you took to read the rougher drafts. Students at my (Emily’s) high school read sections of it as well, along with my Creative Writing course. Thank you all for cheering us on and giving us that teenage perspective. And to all the friends who prayed for this–thanks for doing life with us.
If you’re reading this and you’re deep in the querying trenches, remember you’re not alone. Find your community because our stories are shaped by all who enter our lives.
