Grab my *free* Query Letter Toolkit (which includes the query letter that got me 8 agent offers and my query letter template!): www.laurenkaywrites.com/query-letter
I had to write down part of it. “When querying, try to frame the manuscript in a way that an agent will know that an editor will know that they can confidently pitch it in an acquisition meeting full of higher ups at a publishing house”. To me that’s gold. Thank you
Absolutely. Plenty of writers panic about their book, and constantly undersell it with language like "I'm so honored you'd even consider this," "I know this book has a lot of problems but..." etc. You've got to come into it with the mindset that they're NOT doing you a favor in this deal, which is essentially a business deal between you and a publishing company. You have to pitch it being like, this book is not only GREAT, it's going to make YOU money. Ha.
This type of transparency is why I keep coming back to your content. This is the type of insider experience I have been searching everywhere for, so THANK YOU for being brave enough to share this with us. 🥰
Thank you for being brave and sharing this. As you said, we need to hear both sides of the story--not only those stories when people have success. Being a writer is a tough job, and writing a book makes us quite vulnerable; it's a very intimate part of ourselves we share with the world. We need all the encouragement we can ger. I think this video will be helpful for many aspiring authors and give them additional self-confidence!
Feeling emotional. I appreciate what you’re sharing. I am getting rejection after rejection and worked on my book for 5 years. I am going to edit it MORE and maybe put it aside afterwards and maybe start my second book. You were blessed you had an agent. I am all on my own.
You are a very articulate speaker. I agree with you about the need for openness and transparency. A closed society leads to fear and distrust. Thank you for sharing your story.
This is really helpful, thank you! I've written 2.5 books in a series and am terrified to start querying. I've told myself that by the time I'm done book 5, I have to really look into putting the first one out there. This is a fantastic reminder that not all progress is immediately linear
Congratulations!!!! Thank you for sharing. I had no idea that they could cancel your calls and then if they don’t pass acquisitions that you have to start all over again.
LOVE this video and your openness to discuss your own authorship journey! I definitely agree, we need more transparency in the book publishing space ✋🏼
Thank you so much for your honesty. Your passion for your work has rewarded you. Keep going im your biggest fan. I know how the writing journey is. Its tough, rough, sometimes you regret coming up with idea of being an author, but one thing i love about this process is the more you discover, the better you become.
Thank you for your vulnerability, and for demystifying the query and publication process. This information and the way you’ve openly shared is PRICELESS!!🙏🦋
Thank you for your honesty and listening to your gut. You took a risk. I thank you for that. I'm sixty-two years old and am a rookie in this business. And I knew I was facing a monumental challenge. Now I know precisely what challenges I am actually facing. Anyway, you are a fantastic person. Again, I thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this and being so open about it! As someone who started writing almost a decade ago but never believed that they are going to make it; this gave me an insight on how to proceed, but also what to expect. English is actually the third language I have learned, but I don't want that to stop me from pursuing what I love. Excited to hear more from you!!
Thank you so much for sharing this story!! I am on my second book now and the first was definitely just a very drawn-out learning experience. I literally cried when you talked about writing your second book so quickly and getting such an amazing book deal! Congrats!! I'm going to read your book now haha
Awww, thank you so much! Writing is always such an emotional journey. A drawn-out learning experience may not feel like a gift in the moment, but I really think it can be a HUGE gift to your writing career overall. Keep going!
Thank you so much for this. I'm brand new to the world of writing and just finished my first manuscript. Coming across your channel I had no idea how the process of getting a book deal worked at all. Now I have a pretty solid understanding though, so thank you for that. Best of luck in your future endevours!
I'm not sure why people didn't want you to share that story. Thanks so much. My first book was also not picked up and I'm writing my second now. I appreciate you sharing your experience.
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m now starting to take writing more seriously and want to be published one day. I’m working on a short story right now that I absolutely love, but I cannot wait to write my novel too. I also want to find a writing group to be part of, hopefully I can find one :)
Hi! I just launched a FREE Critique Partner matching database to help people connect with likeminded writing besties, it's like Tinder but for critique partners! www.laurenkaywrites.com/ On my website, you can subscribe to my newsletter for more info and all my other free goodies. :)
That was in response to you wanting to find a writing group! And also -- I happen to believe writing short stories is the BEST practice for novelists, I wish more writers would start small first. Plenty to learn and lower stakes!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm still working on my first manuscript but hearing the real deal stories from published writers is super motivating. Thank you thank you thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this. As someone in the middle of my first novel, I am endlessly curious and often concerned how the publishing bit unfolds. Thank you so much.
I deeply appreciate you sharing this story. Due to some very unexpected events writing became my reason for getting up in the morning. A sort of lifeline so to speak. I've always dreamed of being a science fiction author and over the last few years I have genuinely fallen in love with the process of writing. It feels very intimate and an artistic expression of who I am as a person. The thought of commercializing something so deeply personal is a difficult thing to confront. I don't want it to destroy my love for writing as it already brings me so much peace and joy. I think I will try to compartmentalize the process. My writing is one thing and trying to publish it is something completely different. I will not let the latter destroy my passion of the former. I cannot risk losing my love of writing because it quite literally saved me.
i'm in the same boat - writing helped me get up in the morning. i finally finished my first book and am querying it to agents now. it's brutal and with the rejections it's hard not to feel scared to be that vulnerable again for a second book or that whatever i write won't be commercial enough - so my second book isn't flowing and the thing that kept me going (writing) isn't happening. it's hard. thanks bendybruce for sharing your ideas on how to combat this - i think i'll give them a try.
@@keepingyoucompany3724 I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you. If I can think of any advice to give then it is when you wake up in the morning start by counting your blessings. I was diagnosed with late stage glaucoma shortly after the pandemic. Fortunately I was saved from going completely blind by an amazing surgeon. I still grieve for everything I have lost but this event caused me to grow as a person. The fact I can get up in the morning turn on my computer and write, albeit somewhat slowly, is a gift beyond measure. Don't let the process of finding a publisher steal your passion. If you were made to write then it's something you know deep down inside you. I know it, and I know you know it, so I'm looking forward to reading your book or at least listening to the audio version when it comes out. Let's go!
Cheers to truth! The truth should be shared. Thank you for your bravery in sharing your experience to help us all. 💜 Just subscribed. I love courageous truth tellers. : ) Wishing you all the success in the world with your writing.
I cant even begin to say how helpful this was on multiple levels. Thank you! I'd been working on my first book about my travels in Africa and about the fear of staying there with no return ticket. Worked on it for SEVEN years to finally basically finish last yr but stuck now for a year btwn life and finances and adhd and all the many things to even start the hugely daunting task of querie letters. Its soo overwhelming!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Hearing all of the details of your journey is so incredibly helpful as I work through my own process. Amazing video -- love the candor!
Great, candid video Lauren Kay. I appreciate the value that you put on transparency and seeking out mentors to pick their brain about mechanisms for handling some of the rejection and other challenges. I clicked on this because I am beginning the querying process myself now with my debut novel and am trying to collect perspectives, so I wanted to let you know that I appreciated yours.
It's definitely tough and stings - kind of like getting picked last in gym class as an adult - but rejection is also such a huge part of the writing and publishing world
Wow, again, thank you so much for your vulnerability and transparency. This is so helpful to keep the focus on momentum and continuing to take everything as an opportunity to learn and get better. 💗
Thank you so much for your support. What you said is 100% true -- everything is about the journey overall. We can't let one failure deny us success longterm. Everything *is* an opportunity.
This is beautiful and important. You are incredibly brave and I'm grateful that young authors like you are starting a new era of transparency and inclusion in literature.
This was great. I believe in transparency as well - which overall publishing is not known for ;) I respect you for telling your true experience good, bad & ugly. Continued success!
Thank you for sharing your honest story, one often doesn't realize the challenges behind the process of publishing your book, I am trying to publish mine and this is very useful information.
Oh my! I just discovered you the other day, as I was browsing videos for writing poetry and such. Long story short, I cannot believe that I got this far in the writing world, and having just discovered you. You are an amazingly honest person. Transmitting your true experiences to us really means so much more than you can imagine. When I first started writing seriously, around 5 years ago, I had no idea of all the hardships a writer can/will endure. I honestly thought that the writing was the hardest part. Oh boy, how wrong, yet how correct I was. Cross referencing my own experiences in publishing, with yours, I am truly convinced that success comes to those who truly believe in their selves and in their craft. When I first published my Greek poetry with a prestigious publishing house in Greece, I expected little (as my first Fantasy Epic Historical-fiction book was never picked up - as of yet), since poetry in Greek speaking countries is less famous. And I was right. Same thing with my second poetry book. But I never, never, never, never could have imagined the amazing world of opportunities they would open. So much home, as much as abroad. As everything, writing comes at the cost of time. But, given enough effort and skill, that time can be rewarding. In my case, as I am writing both in English and in Greek, it provides me with a large window of hope, that my numerous novels and poetry collections (including my upcoming WIPs) will eventually find their places in the shelves here and abroad. But honestly, querying to publishers in Greece and Cyprus is one thing. Querying to agents in the UK and in the US is a completely different thing. One, that I never expected would elevate my writing experience to such great heights. As in your experience, I had disappointments, crises, and moments where I was feeling down. Without ever losing my hope and dreams though. And like you said, I never let my internal voices win. I think that's the point in it all. Rejection and transcendance. The very idea that we can succeed, combined with the experience of failure, creates an amalgamation of humility and pride, that strives us as writers wto hone our craft, while still understanding that the best writers are those who see themselves as a part of the world, and not apart from it. Again, like you said. Many people share their happy moments. But ever since I found my community here in Cyprus, I discovered that other writers, editors, and even publishers, are just humans, with their own need to be loved and embraced. We are all human beings and we just want good stories to be told. That's it. I would be really interested to watch every other next video you upload, and well done on reaching this far! Not many people hold on to faith as long as to see their work shine. Stelios
Stelios, thank you for your beautiful words (truly written like a poet!). So many writers are overly attached to their work -- to me, although obviously setbacks are frustrating and sad, in order to grow as a writer I had to think of my long-term career -- *all* the good stories I had to tell, not just the one. My fortune (career-wise and financially) didn't have to all be in one manuscript. I would encourage all writers to think this way -- if one project does not succeed, we simply must learn to move on to another, and not overly rely (as difficult as this can be) on external validation. Congratulations on your poetry, that's very exciting. Glad to have you as part of my community! L
@@laurenkaywrites Good morning! Thank you for that wonderful reply, it made me smile first thing after waking up! Thats exactly what I have been preaching to other writers. In my case, when I saw that I needed a financial boost, i turned to content writing as a full time job, to power up my writings. Exactly like you mentioned, one manuscript does not make the difference in its own. You dont learn to create, and you dont meet people like that. You need diversification. "Moving on to another".. difficult words, yet so true. Maybe think of this as a new video! I think that many authors get stuck at the "1 published book benchmark" and they get the blues that they failed as an artist. While negating the fact that literature is like life. Endless, evergrowing and hopeful. Nonetheless, glad to be part of your community! See you around
Trickiest thing in my situation is having an acquisition editor who wants to pitch your book but can't get it through the publishers cue. And without an agent I don't have much say.
thanks so much for sharing your story. My first book has been out on sub for 9 months. Recently it made it to second-reads at a publisher, but they ended up passing. I'm currently finishing up the second book and then we'll send that one out. But it's hard to keep the faith
"Whatever you do while querying, work on your next book...because you never know how querying will go." This is excellent advice and exactly what I needed to hear at this stage in my writing journey. I just discovered your videos, Lauren . You are very genuine which is really helpful in this tough market and sometimes arduous journey of querying.
Absolutely wonderful advice. You are so down to earth and genuine-it is a breath of fresh air. The way you speak and deliver your experiences is so compelling. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your page. All your advice and expertise is invaluable. Def subbed. So real. You rock.
Thank you so much -- it hasn't been an easy ride, but finding my community has truly made a huge difference. My calling is giving to others the transparency I wish I had had back then!
Lauren, thank you for making the video. It’s good to know not only the possible ups and downs of publishing ahead of time, but also all the possible combinations of “I’ve made it” followed by, “what just happened here?” I’ve been writing (working on) a novel for nearly three years; with a few major “I quit’s” during that period, and it’s good to know I’m not the only one. Of course the only caveat is that your first novel is the one that ended up bringing you all the pain. We’ll see if mine is any different. :) Thanks again for putting your story out there. I did buy and read “We Ship It” which was entertaining and very well done; a subject that more people need to dive into and face head on.
Hi Michael! Thank you SO much for your support and for checking out my book! One thing I can suggest is just a mentality shift away from the importance of each individual manuscript and towards your longterm career as a writing. Obviously, every story IS important to us writers, but you definitely have to be willing to just keep writing, regardless of what happens! Wishing you luck! L
Glad you shared the struggle that led to your success. I'm still doing my best to get an agent, and in the meantime finishing up my fifth novel. I self published my first novel, and tucked away my second in the bottom of a drawer. My third is the one I believe has the commercial appeal to be huge, but so far it's been form rejections to wallpaper my office with. It only takes one agent to say yes, and many that I want to pitch to have been closed to query, so I still have hope. I'm not looking forward to the rounds of editor rejections that follow this.
I feel you -- it's not an easy thing to see those rejections coming in. I always recommend beginning a new project -- when I'm in the throes of writing, I care less about the results of previous projects and can think more objectively. Even having written one, let along three, will be a huge accomplishment that most people never will do!
Awesome video and advice. Thank you so much for this candid video because we all need to know that rejection is part of the process, but we only fail as authors when we stop writing. Fun Fact: Even world renowned author John Grisham didn't initially get a deal on his first book either 😮. It was his second book, The Firm, that launched him to success, then he eventually got a deal on his first book, A Time to Kill, after his subsequent books. All of this is to say, your video is on point and please keep making them! Liked and subscribed 😉👍
Hey Lauren! Thanks for sharing! Quite the roller coaster ride there, but at least it all worked out in the end! 🙂Was self-publishing ever an option for you?
That's a great question! My first MS, which died on sub, I did not end up self-publishing. I probably wouldn't. I don't have the time or energy to devote to marketing my own work! Traditional publishing was always the goal for me. :)
What a share. Thank you for sharing your vulnerabilities as well as your strengths. I appreciate the balance. I've just written my first novel and am thinking of the possible routes of self-publishing or going down a similar path as one you described with querying~agent~editor~publisher. Like your experience with your second book, I wrote my first draft in two weeks and then followed up with revisions for six months. I'm now letting family read it and then will circle into a beta reader group. Would a chance to see if you'd be interested in being one of the Beta readers? Who know anything is possible !!Congrats on all your failure and success 🙂
Hi! Congrats on finishing your draft!! I don't have the bandwidth to be a Beta reader, but I did create a free database of folks who are open to being beta readers and critique partners: laurenkaywrites.com/critique-partner
@@laurenkaywrites Thank you so much for this Lauren. How incredibly helpful of you. I appreciate everything you're doing. Looking forward to reading your books 🙂
You hit on something I think critical. Is the you wrote you second book fast. I think the let down is harder when years are spent writing a book, instead of months. Thank you for sharing.
As a poet I really appreciate you for this because so many times I just feel like quit and throw it all away and just work for the bills and everyday livity
Honestly, poetry is EVEN tougher than novels. You have to do it for your own joy. If it's becoming soul-sucking, it might be time to take a break and re-discover later the joy in writing.
Thank you Lauren. I appreciate you sharing this very much, and congrats on your deal! - I was hoping to ask some specific questions regarding my own journey if there's is anywhere better that i can contact you?
This was the most honest and helpful information I’ve seen. Thank you for being so transparent! I am supposed to do a live pitch in September and now I’m feeling like I don’t know enough about this world of agenting or publishing. Where did you find the most helpful resources? Did you use Publisher’s Marketplace? I am a debut author and the more I learn it feels like the less I know. 🤷♀️
Hi! It can be really, really overwhelming, for sure. I went by a lot of trail and error, honestly, and worked with a book coach who helped with a lot of questions that came up. I created an entire course about the querying process, called Query Bootcamp, in order to put all I learned, and have learned since, in one place. You can learn more about that here: laurenkaywrites.com/query-bootcamp
Thank you for this! How did it go with the cover? Did they allow you to use your own cover? Did you use your cover design to help pitch to agents? What's the best way to find agents to query? Thanks again, and a big congratulations!
Thank you for your courage and for helping other writers. Perhaps I am naive, but I have always found the business of finding an agent/ publisher so gratuitously harsh and brutal for authors. Writers (huge generalisation) work alone for years, most often with other jobs and little money. The very nature of writing fiction requires sensitivity and vulnerability both of which are exploited by agents, IMO. I'm sure it's not the first time you have heard that John Grisham published "The Firm" first.... then they took his excellent first book "A Time to Kill"-- and, as a lawyer, with funds and used to 70 hour work weeks, was not on the same plane as those less fortunate and resilient as he. Also, I don't yet know your work, but I'm assuming it's not a page-turner formula. Congratulations on your well-earned success and for being smart enough to reach out to a woman on the path a few steps ahead of you.
Amazing story! What a rollercoaster it must’ve been 😭 So what happened to your first book? I might’ve missed the detail but did you get it published finally or still in the works?
SUPER inspiring! My goal is to be traditionally published. What are your plans with your first novel that wasn't published? Can you self publish that or did you have to sign something to prevent you from self publishing other works?
Great question! Honestly? That first novel I'll probably just let be an important practice for me. That project will always be important to me, but if I write another novel now, I have something totally different in mind. I don't plan to self-publish that first one; for me, traditional publishing has always been the goal.
hey! i'm curious why your agent informed other editors you had "interest" (or even an offer, did u say?) before even taking the phone call from the interested editor? Wouldn't it be better to inform after an official offer or even if when you know its going to acquitions? Do you think thats why some backed out?
Boy! Lauren I'm glad you did the video. I have a YA historical novel set in post civil war south and I'm on my third and final draft and been scare to sent it out. But now soon as I'm done my third draft I 'ud send it to agents. I mean what can possibly go wrong?
Ha! Sometimes, when we feel confident and ready -- there's truly nothing else to do. Either way, you'll learn -- and writing is a lifelong journey. If you don't succeed (and failure is the part of every writer's story), then you've just got to forge on and try again! Your novel sounds great -- I love historical fiction.
@laurenkaywrites is about a barely liberated black boy with no name living in Mississippi. I'm mighty proud of it. I thank you for your reply. Let's see what become of it.
Wow. Thanks for sharing. Did you ever get any explanation for the emoji tease? Was the editor just a monster? Also...I know you love your agent, but what do they have to say for themselves? How did it go so wrong so fast? Wouldn't that be a reasonable cause to consider other representation?
Hi Lauren! Your first book had multiple close calls. Through time and distance, can you see now why none of those possible offers came to fruition or do you still believe in the story and think there’s a chance for it someday? Would love to hear more about that. Also when is book two coming out!? 👀
Hi! I think there's so much that can be subjective about the industry, and I do still believe in that book. A lot! If anything, the topic's become even more dear to me as I'm now a TH-camr (ha!). It would be wonderful to publish it one day -- I hope that can happen. Just because it didn't find success at the time doesn't necessary mean the project is doomed! Regarding book two, it's a totally different project than that earlier manuscript, and I'm still working on it ! I can't wait to update everyone when I have more news. Thanks for watching!
NEW SUBSCRIBER: Hi Lauren, I like you because we share a name (I'm Angela Kay)! Thank you so much for sharing your story. As you state, I believe it's so important to not only share information but to also share the ups AND the downs. I had a couple of questions (and would love an answer, via direct response to this email and/or a video to share with everyone): (1) Once you were told you had a book deal, what happened in between that time and when the book was released? (i.e., did you have to do revisions, were you a part of the cover selection, etc.); (2) I saw your other video regarding your first book (the one you had to put to the side for now). You stated you did 4 revisions. Were those revisions based on repeated Beta reads, critique partner reads, or more developmental edits, or solely based on you going over it by yourself? Also, do you believe you'll try to put it back on submission again? (3) Was the book you received the book deal within a different genre than your first written book? If the first book was a different genre, what made you switch to a different genre? (4) How did you find your line editor?, and finally (5) What happens now that your book has been released? (i.e., will your publisher have you doing any book tours or podcasts, etc., or other things)? I'm curious as to how that goes. Again, thank you for the video; it was inspirational and honest. I'm excited to view your website (something I've struggled with for a few months).
Hi, long-lost cousin?! (Just kidding.) (1) I did do some revisions as dictated by the editorial team at the publishing house, but not many; and I did not participate in the book cover process, which is normal. I'm not a visual marketer so I don't think I would have been much help anyways! I trust the publishers to know how to market my book visually. (2) My revisions always incorporated external feedback in between. I don't recommend solo editing; you can't really get the perspective you need when you look at your own work. I also worked with a developmental editor. As of now, I'm not interested in taking that project out on sub again. I'm more mature as a writer and a person now and would prefer to start a new project more aligned to my creative interests. (3) They were both contemporary YA novels. (4) I just did careful research online! (5) I did do a book tour! All that has died down now that my novel's been out for a while. I'm very busy with my start-up now, so I haven't asked about doing more promotional work on the novel beyond its launch. Thanks so much for your time! Hope this helps. Lauren
Your manuscript should be the very best it can be before you send it to agents! This usually includes multiple drafts, asking friends, family, and beta readers to read it, and even considering a professional developmental or line edit.
I am a poet working on a manuscript, but I keep wondering if I ever will get an agent who will be interested, even though I keep hearing that my writing is good when participating in writing communities and submitting to editors
Writing can be such a slow and steady race. Most of the work is in doing exactly what you're doing - writing, sharing, joining communities, reaching out to editors. Keep going!
Great video. I think writers get too hung up on their first 'professional' novel and feel it is the sole benchmark of their skills as a writer. Whilst the book industry is actually looking for writers who can keep creating new books, new products, as a writer who bashes out two books a year for ten years is far, far more valuable asset than a one hit wonder, no matter how well the one hit sells. Think of yourself as a singer who wants a career. You can't sing the very same song for years. You need to be constantly recording new music and releasing it. It's an industry at the end of the day...
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
Grab my *free* Query Letter Toolkit (which includes the query letter that got me 8 agent offers and my query letter template!): www.laurenkaywrites.com/query-letter
I had to write down part of it. “When querying, try to frame the manuscript in a way that an agent will know that an editor will know that they can confidently pitch it in an acquisition meeting full of higher ups at a publishing house”. To me that’s gold. Thank you
Absolutely. Plenty of writers panic about their book, and constantly undersell it with language like "I'm so honored you'd even consider this," "I know this book has a lot of problems but..." etc. You've got to come into it with the mindset that they're NOT doing you a favor in this deal, which is essentially a business deal between you and a publishing company. You have to pitch it being like, this book is not only GREAT, it's going to make YOU money. Ha.
Like what for example?
This type of transparency is why I keep coming back to your content. This is the type of insider experience I have been searching everywhere for, so THANK YOU for being brave enough to share this with us. 🥰
You're so welcome!! Transparency is really important to me and I'm so glad to help.
Thank you for being brave and sharing this. As you said, we need to hear both sides of the story--not only those stories when people have success. Being a writer is a tough job, and writing a book makes us quite vulnerable; it's a very intimate part of ourselves we share with the world. We need all the encouragement we can ger. I think this video will be helpful for many aspiring authors and give them additional self-confidence!
Thanks so much!!! I really aspire to be the mentor that I felt like I was missing when I was a baby writer.
Feeling emotional. I appreciate what you’re sharing. I am getting rejection after rejection and worked on my book for 5 years. I am going to edit it MORE and maybe put it aside afterwards and maybe start my second book.
You were blessed you had an agent. I am all on my own.
You are a very articulate speaker. I agree with you about the need for openness and transparency. A closed society leads to fear and distrust. Thank you for sharing your story.
I appreciate that, thank you
This is really helpful, thank you! I've written 2.5 books in a series and am terrified to start querying. I've told myself that by the time I'm done book 5, I have to really look into putting the first one out there.
This is a fantastic reminder that not all progress is immediately linear
Glad I could be helpful
Congratulations!!!! Thank you for sharing. I had no idea that they could cancel your calls and then if they don’t pass acquisitions that you have to start all over again.
So glad it was helpful! :)
Love this chatty and informative storytelling! Such a valuable perspective, thank you!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you for being honest and sharing your story. I'll remember it when I feel discouraged.
Thanks so much for sharing! I can't wait to read your book!
thanks so much for watching!
Thank you for sharing your story. Im glad everything worked out for you. Being a writer is a tough job but sp awesome as well. Yes! Keep writing.
Thanks so much Christina, wishing you great writing energy as well!
Thank you so very much for making this and putting it out there. Still working on my first book and this was so incredibly encouraging!!! Thank you!!!
You got this !!! I believe in you !
Thank you for your insight! I've written two books, and still have yet to find an agent for either of them. But I will persevere!
You can do it!
LOVE this video and your openness to discuss your own authorship journey! I definitely agree, we need more transparency in the book publishing space ✋🏼
I couldn't agree more!!! Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you so much for your honesty. Your passion for your work has rewarded you. Keep going im your biggest fan. I know how the writing journey is. Its tough, rough, sometimes you regret coming up with idea of being an author, but one thing i love about this process is the more you discover, the better you become.
Of course! And thank you
Thank you for your vulnerability, and for demystifying the query and publication process.
This information and the way you’ve openly shared is PRICELESS!!🙏🦋
You are so welcome
Thank you for your honesty and listening to your gut. You took a risk. I thank you for that. I'm sixty-two years old and am a rookie in this business. And I knew I was facing a monumental challenge. Now I know precisely what challenges I am actually facing. Anyway, you are a fantastic person. Again, I thank you.
You are so welcome
Wow. A very transparent look at the novel querying process. Such a rollercoaster and will be relatable and informative to all writers.
Thank you so much for sharing this and being so open about it! As someone who started writing almost a decade ago but never believed that they are going to make it; this gave me an insight on how to proceed, but also what to expect. English is actually the third language I have learned, but I don't want that to stop me from pursuing what I love.
Excited to hear more from you!!
Thank you so much for sharing this story!! I am on my second book now and the first was definitely just a very drawn-out learning experience. I literally cried when you talked about writing your second book so quickly and getting such an amazing book deal! Congrats!! I'm going to read your book now haha
Awww, thank you so much! Writing is always such an emotional journey. A drawn-out learning experience may not feel like a gift in the moment, but I really think it can be a HUGE gift to your writing career overall. Keep going!
Thank you so much for this. I'm brand new to the world of writing and just finished my first manuscript. Coming across your channel I had no idea how the process of getting a book deal worked at all. Now I have a pretty solid understanding though, so thank you for that. Best of luck in your future endevours!
I'm so glad to hear this! Happy writing :)
I'm not sure why people didn't want you to share that story. Thanks so much. My first book was also not picked up and I'm writing my second now. I appreciate you sharing your experience.
thank you, Lauren. Really appreciated hearing the real 'low down' :)
Absolutely!
your honesty is so valued and appreciated! Also, how interesting to know you can get published... but the industry might try and break you first lol
It sure will -- but if writers are one thing, they're resilient.
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m now starting to take writing more seriously and want to be published one day. I’m working on a short story right now that I absolutely love, but I cannot wait to write my novel too. I also want to find a writing group to be part of, hopefully I can find one :)
Hi! I just launched a FREE Critique Partner matching database to help people connect with likeminded writing besties, it's like Tinder but for critique partners! www.laurenkaywrites.com/ On my website, you can subscribe to my newsletter for more info and all my other free goodies. :)
That was in response to you wanting to find a writing group! And also -- I happen to believe writing short stories is the BEST practice for novelists, I wish more writers would start small first. Plenty to learn and lower stakes!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm still working on my first manuscript but hearing the real deal stories from published writers is super motivating. Thank you thank you thank you.
You are so welcome!
Thank you for sharing and so glad you kept at it.
Thank you so much for sharing this. As someone in the middle of my first novel, I am endlessly curious and often concerned how the publishing bit unfolds. Thank you so much.
You're so welcome!
I deeply appreciate you sharing this story. Due to some very unexpected events writing became my reason for getting up in the morning. A sort of lifeline so to speak. I've always dreamed of being a science fiction author and over the last few years I have genuinely fallen in love with the process of writing. It feels very intimate and an artistic expression of who I am as a person. The thought of commercializing something so deeply personal is a difficult thing to confront. I don't want it to destroy my love for writing as it already brings me so much peace and joy. I think I will try to compartmentalize the process. My writing is one thing and trying to publish it is something completely different. I will not let the latter destroy my passion of the former. I cannot risk losing my love of writing because it quite literally saved me.
i'm in the same boat - writing helped me get up in the morning. i finally finished my first book and am querying it to agents now. it's brutal and with the rejections it's hard not to feel scared to be that vulnerable again for a second book or that whatever i write won't be commercial enough - so my second book isn't flowing and the thing that kept me going (writing) isn't happening. it's hard. thanks bendybruce for sharing your ideas on how to combat this - i think i'll give them a try.
@@keepingyoucompany3724 I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you. If I can think of any advice to give then it is when you wake up in the morning start by counting your blessings. I was diagnosed with late stage glaucoma shortly after the pandemic. Fortunately I was saved from going completely blind by an amazing surgeon. I still grieve for everything I have lost but this event caused me to grow as a person. The fact I can get up in the morning turn on my computer and write, albeit somewhat slowly, is a gift beyond measure. Don't let the process of finding a publisher steal your passion. If you were made to write then it's something you know deep down inside you. I know it, and I know you know it, so I'm looking forward to reading your book or at least listening to the audio version when it comes out. Let's go!
Cheers to truth! The truth should be shared. Thank you for your bravery in sharing your experience to help us all. 💜 Just subscribed. I love courageous truth tellers. : ) Wishing you all the success in the world with your writing.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I really needed to hear this.
You're so welcome!!
I cant even begin to say how helpful this was on multiple levels. Thank you! I'd been working on my first book about my travels in Africa and about the fear of staying there with no return ticket. Worked on it for SEVEN years to finally basically finish last yr but stuck now for a year btwn life and finances and adhd and all the many things to even start the hugely daunting task of querie letters. Its soo overwhelming!
I'm so glad it was helpful!! And I hear you
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Hearing all of the details of your journey is so incredibly helpful as I work through my own process. Amazing video -- love the candor!
You are so welcome!
Great, candid video Lauren Kay. I appreciate the value that you put on transparency and seeking out mentors to pick their brain about mechanisms for handling some of the rejection and other challenges. I clicked on this because I am beginning the querying process myself now with my debut novel and am trying to collect perspectives, so I wanted to let you know that I appreciated yours.
You're so welcome. Congrats on finishing your MS and best of luck with the querying!
Thanks for sharing. it's tough to query and see the projects you've worked on for so long not being picked, I hate the feeling
It's definitely tough and stings - kind of like getting picked last in gym class as an adult - but rejection is also such a huge part of the writing and publishing world
Thank you for sharing this, really helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Wow, again, thank you so much for your vulnerability and transparency. This is so helpful to keep the focus on momentum and continuing to take everything as an opportunity to learn and get better. 💗
Thank you so much for your support. What you said is 100% true -- everything is about the journey overall. We can't let one failure deny us success longterm. Everything *is* an opportunity.
This is beautiful and important. You are incredibly brave and I'm grateful that young authors like you are starting a new era of transparency and inclusion in literature.
Thank you so, so much.
This was great. I believe in transparency as well - which overall publishing is not known for ;) I respect you for telling your true experience good, bad & ugly. Continued success!
Thank you for sharing your honest story, one often doesn't realize the challenges behind the process of publishing your book, I am trying to publish mine and this is very useful information.
You are so welcome!
Such a valuable perspective for those interested in querying! ❤
Thanks so much!
Oh my! I just discovered you the other day, as I was browsing videos for writing poetry and such. Long story short, I cannot believe that I got this far in the writing world, and having just discovered you.
You are an amazingly honest person. Transmitting your true experiences to us really means so much more than you can imagine. When I first started writing seriously, around 5 years ago, I had no idea of all the hardships a writer can/will endure. I honestly thought that the writing was the hardest part. Oh boy, how wrong, yet how correct I was.
Cross referencing my own experiences in publishing, with yours, I am truly convinced that success comes to those who truly believe in their selves and in their craft.
When I first published my Greek poetry with a prestigious publishing house in Greece, I expected little (as my first Fantasy Epic Historical-fiction book was never picked up - as of yet), since poetry in Greek speaking countries is less famous. And I was right. Same thing with my second poetry book. But I never, never, never, never could have imagined the amazing world of opportunities they would open. So much home, as much as abroad.
As everything, writing comes at the cost of time. But, given enough effort and skill, that time can be rewarding. In my case, as I am writing both in English and in Greek, it provides me with a large window of hope, that my numerous novels and poetry collections (including my upcoming WIPs) will eventually find their places in the shelves here and abroad.
But honestly, querying to publishers in Greece and Cyprus is one thing. Querying to agents in the UK and in the US is a completely different thing. One, that I never expected would elevate my writing experience to such great heights.
As in your experience, I had disappointments, crises, and moments where I was feeling down. Without ever losing my hope and dreams though. And like you said, I never let my internal voices win.
I think that's the point in it all.
Rejection and transcendance.
The very idea that we can succeed, combined with the experience of failure, creates an amalgamation of humility and pride, that strives us as writers wto hone our craft, while still understanding that the best writers are those who see themselves as a part of the world, and not apart from it.
Again, like you said. Many people share their happy moments. But ever since I found my community here in Cyprus, I discovered that other writers, editors, and even publishers, are just humans, with their own need to be loved and embraced.
We are all human beings and we just want good stories to be told.
That's it.
I would be really interested to watch every other next video you upload, and well done on reaching this far! Not many people hold on to faith as long as to see their work shine.
Stelios
Stelios, thank you for your beautiful words (truly written like a poet!). So many writers are overly attached to their work -- to me, although obviously setbacks are frustrating and sad, in order to grow as a writer I had to think of my long-term career -- *all* the good stories I had to tell, not just the one. My fortune (career-wise and financially) didn't have to all be in one manuscript. I would encourage all writers to think this way -- if one project does not succeed, we simply must learn to move on to another, and not overly rely (as difficult as this can be) on external validation.
Congratulations on your poetry, that's very exciting.
Glad to have you as part of my community!
L
@@laurenkaywrites Good morning!
Thank you for that wonderful reply, it made me smile first thing after waking up!
Thats exactly what I have been preaching to other writers. In my case, when I saw that I needed a financial boost, i turned to content writing as a full time job, to power up my writings.
Exactly like you mentioned, one manuscript does not make the difference in its own. You dont learn to create, and you dont meet people like that. You need diversification.
"Moving on to another".. difficult words, yet so true.
Maybe think of this as a new video! I think that many authors get stuck at the "1 published book benchmark" and they get the blues that they failed as an artist. While negating the fact that literature is like life. Endless, evergrowing and hopeful.
Nonetheless, glad to be part of your community! See you around
Trickiest thing in my situation is having an acquisition editor who wants to pitch your book but can't get it through the publishers cue. And without an agent I don't have much say.
thanks so much for sharing your story. My first book has been out on sub for 9 months. Recently it made it to second-reads at a publisher, but they ended up passing. I'm currently finishing up the second book and then we'll send that one out. But it's hard to keep the faith
It's a big deal to get to second reads, even if they did end up passing! You've got this. Keep the faith.
@@laurenkaywrites thanks so much! I will!
"Whatever you do while querying, work on your next book...because you never know how querying will go." This is excellent advice and exactly what I needed to hear at this stage in my writing journey. I just discovered your videos, Lauren . You are very genuine which is really helpful in this tough market and sometimes arduous journey of querying.
Ahhh, thank you so much!
Absolutely wonderful advice. You are so down to earth and genuine-it is a breath of fresh air. The way you speak and deliver your experiences is so compelling. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your page. All your advice and expertise is invaluable. Def subbed. So real. You rock.
Thank you so much -- it hasn't been an easy ride, but finding my community has truly made a huge difference. My calling is giving to others the transparency I wish I had had back then!
Lauren, thank you for making the video. It’s good to know not only the possible ups and downs of publishing ahead of time, but also all the possible combinations of “I’ve made it” followed by, “what just happened here?” I’ve been writing (working on) a novel for nearly three years; with a few major “I quit’s” during that period, and it’s good to know I’m not the only one. Of course the only caveat is that your first novel is the one that ended up bringing you all the pain. We’ll see if mine is any different. :)
Thanks again for putting your story out there.
I did buy and read “We Ship It” which was entertaining and very well done; a subject that more people need to dive into and face head on.
Hi Michael! Thank you SO much for your support and for checking out my book! One thing I can suggest is just a mentality shift away from the importance of each individual manuscript and towards your longterm career as a writing. Obviously, every story IS important to us writers, but you definitely have to be willing to just keep writing, regardless of what happens! Wishing you luck! L
Glad you shared the struggle that led to your success. I'm still doing my best to get an agent, and in the meantime finishing up my fifth novel. I self published my first novel, and tucked away my second in the bottom of a drawer. My third is the one I believe has the commercial appeal to be huge, but so far it's been form rejections to wallpaper my office with. It only takes one agent to say yes, and many that I want to pitch to have been closed to query, so I still have hope. I'm not looking forward to the rounds of editor rejections that follow this.
I feel you -- it's not an easy thing to see those rejections coming in. I always recommend beginning a new project -- when I'm in the throes of writing, I care less about the results of previous projects and can think more objectively. Even having written one, let along three, will be a huge accomplishment that most people never will do!
I'm writing my first book and appreciate this video. Thanks!
so glad! hope it's going well!!
Thank you so much for posting this this is truly inspiring and helps me to keep going
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Wow what a great video, super insightful!
Thanks so much! :)
Well now i have to read this book!!!!!
Thank you so much. I feel somewhat armoured for the battle ahead.
Absolutely! I'm so glad to hear it :)
Awesome video and advice. Thank you so much for this candid video because we all need to know that rejection is part of the process, but we only fail as authors when we stop writing.
Fun Fact: Even world renowned author John Grisham didn't initially get a deal on his first book either 😮. It was his second book, The Firm, that launched him to success, then he eventually got a deal on his first book, A Time to Kill, after his subsequent books.
All of this is to say, your video is on point and please keep making them! Liked and subscribed 😉👍
Thanks so much! And yes!!! So many writers didn't get a deal the first time :)
Thank you, Lauren! Much appreciated! 🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing your struggle, and the truth of how it all happened. And thank you also for your honesty.
You're so welcome, I think it's so important. Thank you for your time!
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for watching!
Hey Lauren! Thanks for sharing! Quite the roller coaster ride there, but at least it all worked out in the end! 🙂Was self-publishing ever an option for you?
That's a great question! My first MS, which died on sub, I did not end up self-publishing. I probably wouldn't. I don't have the time or energy to devote to marketing my own work! Traditional publishing was always the goal for me. :)
Thank you Lauren for sharing! I hope you're having a great start to 2024!@@laurenkaywrites
Do you have a video on your writing process? I’m loving your content, and I think that would be so helpful!
Coming soon! :)
Wow. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thanks for listening :)
What a share. Thank you for sharing your vulnerabilities as well as your strengths. I appreciate the balance. I've just written my first novel and am thinking of the possible routes of self-publishing or going down a similar path as one you described with querying~agent~editor~publisher. Like your experience with your second book, I wrote my first draft in two weeks and then followed up with revisions for six months. I'm now letting family read it and then will circle into a beta reader group. Would a chance to see if you'd be interested in being one of the Beta readers? Who know anything is possible !!Congrats on all your failure and success 🙂
Hi! Congrats on finishing your draft!! I don't have the bandwidth to be a Beta reader, but I did create a free database of folks who are open to being beta readers and critique partners: laurenkaywrites.com/critique-partner
@@laurenkaywrites Thank you so much for this Lauren. How incredibly helpful of you. I appreciate everything you're doing. Looking forward to reading your books 🙂
You are a generous beautiful person to share your valuable experience ma'am. Thanks.
So nice of you!
Found you through this video. Read first few pages of We Ship It. You're awesome and I don't even like teen comedy. I will buy it asap.
Aw, thank you! Hope you enjoy it :)
You hit on something I think critical. Is the you wrote you second book fast. I think the let down is harder when years are spent writing a book, instead of months. Thank you for sharing.
I love your honesty ❤. Great video.
Thank you! 🤗
As a poet I really appreciate you for this because so many times I just feel like quit and throw it all away and just work for the bills and everyday livity
Honestly, poetry is EVEN tougher than novels. You have to do it for your own joy. If it's becoming soul-sucking, it might be time to take a break and re-discover later the joy in writing.
Awesome thanks for sharing!!! ❤
Thanks for watching!
Thank you Lauren. I appreciate you sharing this very much, and congrats on your deal! - I was hoping to ask some specific questions regarding my own journey if there's is anywhere better that i can contact you?
Feel free to shoot me a DM on Instagram! @laurenkaywrites
Thank you for sharing your journey
You're welcome!
This was the most honest and helpful information I’ve seen. Thank you for being so transparent! I am supposed to do a live pitch in September and now I’m feeling like I don’t know enough about this world of agenting or publishing. Where did you find the most helpful resources? Did you use Publisher’s Marketplace? I am a debut author and the more I learn it feels like the less I know. 🤷♀️
Hi! It can be really, really overwhelming, for sure. I went by a lot of trail and error, honestly, and worked with a book coach who helped with a lot of questions that came up. I created an entire course about the querying process, called Query Bootcamp, in order to put all I learned, and have learned since, in one place. You can learn more about that here: laurenkaywrites.com/query-bootcamp
@@laurenkaywrites thank you! I just found your channel yesterday, so I’m trying to learn everything I can as quickly as possible. 😅
Thank you for this.
Thank YOU for watching!
Thank you for this! How did it go with the cover? Did they allow you to use your own cover? Did you use your cover design to help pitch to agents? What's the best way to find agents to query? Thanks again, and a big congratulations!
Thank you for your courage and for helping other writers. Perhaps I am naive, but I have always found the business of finding an agent/ publisher so gratuitously harsh and brutal for authors. Writers (huge generalisation) work alone for years, most often with other jobs and little money. The very nature of writing fiction requires sensitivity and vulnerability both of which are exploited by agents, IMO. I'm sure it's not the first time you have heard that John Grisham published "The Firm" first.... then they took his excellent first book "A Time to Kill"-- and, as a lawyer, with funds and used to 70 hour work weeks, was not on the same plane as those less fortunate and resilient as he. Also, I don't yet know your work, but I'm assuming it's not a page-turner formula. Congratulations on your well-earned success and for being smart enough to reach out to a woman on the path a few steps ahead of you.
Thank you, you’re a really inspiring person! ❤
Aw, you are so welcome!
Amazing story! What a rollercoaster it must’ve been 😭 So what happened to your first book? I might’ve missed the detail but did you get it published finally or still in the works?
It came out in 2023 with HarperCollins :)
@@laurenkaywrites So awesome!!
Compelling story, kept me glued to the screen. Might I suggest this be your next book?
Can I ask then, what happens to the original book? Do you have plans to adapt it to another medium? Could be good to do as a radio drama :)
SUPER inspiring! My goal is to be traditionally published. What are your plans with your first novel that wasn't published? Can you self publish that or did you have to sign something to prevent you from self publishing other works?
Great question! Honestly? That first novel I'll probably just let be an important practice for me. That project will always be important to me, but if I write another novel now, I have something totally different in mind. I don't plan to self-publish that first one; for me, traditional publishing has always been the goal.
Thanks for sharing this!
My pleasure!
hey! i'm curious why your agent informed other editors you had "interest" (or even an offer, did u say?) before even taking the phone call from the interested editor? Wouldn't it be better to inform after an official offer or even if when you know its going to acquitions? Do you think thats why some backed out?
Thank you so much for this video. How many agencies did you submit to before you settled with an agent?
I queried 50 agents, and had 26 full reuqests, before I chose my agent.
Thank you for this x
You're so welcome!
Thanks for sharing .
Thanks for watching!
thank you for sharing
Boy! Lauren I'm glad you did the video. I have a YA historical novel set in post civil war south and I'm on my third and final draft and been scare to sent it out. But now soon as I'm done my third draft I 'ud send it to agents. I mean what can possibly go wrong?
Ha! Sometimes, when we feel confident and ready -- there's truly nothing else to do. Either way, you'll learn -- and writing is a lifelong journey. If you don't succeed (and failure is the part of every writer's story), then you've just got to forge on and try again! Your novel sounds great -- I love historical fiction.
@laurenkaywrites is about a barely liberated black boy with no name living in Mississippi. I'm mighty proud of it. I thank you for your reply. Let's see what become of it.
Wow. Thanks for sharing. Did you ever get any explanation for the emoji tease? Was the editor just a monster? Also...I know you love your agent, but what do they have to say for themselves? How did it go so wrong so fast? Wouldn't that be a reasonable cause to consider other representation?
Hi Lauren! Your first book had multiple close calls. Through time and distance, can you see now why none of those possible offers came to fruition or do you still believe in the story and think there’s a chance for it someday? Would love to hear more about that. Also when is book two coming out!? 👀
Hi! I think there's so much that can be subjective about the industry, and I do still believe in that book. A lot! If anything, the topic's become even more dear to me as I'm now a TH-camr (ha!). It would be wonderful to publish it one day -- I hope that can happen. Just because it didn't find success at the time doesn't necessary mean the project is doomed! Regarding book two, it's a totally different project than that earlier manuscript, and I'm still working on it ! I can't wait to update everyone when I have more news. Thanks for watching!
NEW SUBSCRIBER: Hi Lauren, I like you because we share a name (I'm Angela Kay)! Thank you so much for sharing your story. As you state, I believe it's so important to not only share information but to also share the ups AND the downs.
I had a couple of questions (and would love an answer, via direct response to this email and/or a video to share with everyone): (1) Once you were told you had a book deal, what happened in between that time and when the book was released? (i.e., did you have to do revisions, were you a part of the cover selection, etc.); (2) I saw your other video regarding your first book (the one you had to put to the side for now). You stated you did 4 revisions. Were those revisions based on repeated Beta reads, critique partner reads, or more developmental edits, or solely based on you going over it by yourself? Also, do you believe you'll try to put it back on submission again? (3) Was the book you received the book deal within a different genre than your first written book? If the first book was a different genre, what made you switch to a different genre? (4) How did you find your line editor?, and finally (5) What happens now that your book has been released? (i.e., will your publisher have you doing any book tours or podcasts, etc., or other things)? I'm curious as to how that goes.
Again, thank you for the video; it was inspirational and honest. I'm excited to view your website (something I've struggled with for a few months).
Hi, long-lost cousin?! (Just kidding.)
(1) I did do some revisions as dictated by the editorial team at the publishing house, but not many; and I did not participate in the book cover process, which is normal. I'm not a visual marketer so I don't think I would have been much help anyways! I trust the publishers to know how to market my book visually.
(2) My revisions always incorporated external feedback in between. I don't recommend solo editing; you can't really get the perspective you need when you look at your own work. I also worked with a developmental editor. As of now, I'm not interested in taking that project out on sub again. I'm more mature as a writer and a person now and would prefer to start a new project more aligned to my creative interests.
(3) They were both contemporary YA novels.
(4) I just did careful research online!
(5) I did do a book tour! All that has died down now that my novel's been out for a while. I'm very busy with my start-up now, so I haven't asked about doing more promotional work on the novel beyond its launch.
Thanks so much for your time! Hope this helps.
Lauren
No links to buy your book on Amazon?
Aw, no. But if you insist: www.amazon.com/We-Ship-Lauren-Kay/dp/0063230992 !
what did you write in the marketing section in your query? did you have social media followers
Once you finish your first draft, should you immediately go to an agent? Or edit it first and then go to agents?
Your manuscript should be the very best it can be before you send it to agents! This usually includes multiple drafts, asking friends, family, and beta readers to read it, and even considering a professional developmental or line edit.
Where did you got an agent in the first place? Is impossible!!! 😢
Failure is only when you give up. Query and then start your next book. Don't wait around. Let the agent do what they need to do to get a deal.
Very good video
Thanks so much!
I am a poet working on a manuscript, but I keep wondering if I ever will get an agent who will be interested, even though I keep hearing that my writing is good when participating in writing communities and submitting to editors
Writing can be such a slow and steady race. Most of the work is in doing exactly what you're doing - writing, sharing, joining communities, reaching out to editors. Keep going!
Great video. I think writers get too hung up on their first 'professional' novel and feel it is the sole benchmark of their skills as a writer. Whilst the book industry is actually looking for writers who can keep creating new books, new products, as a writer who bashes out two books a year for ten years is far, far more valuable asset than a one hit wonder, no matter how well the one hit sells. Think of yourself as a singer who wants a career. You can't sing the very same song for years. You need to be constantly recording new music and releasing it. It's an industry at the end of the day...
£17.33 for a hardcover version of your first novel. Kudos.
I hope to incorporate a journey with this program with my own journey. - J.A. Ryan/A.A. Ryan/Anthony Arzabael/ Anthony (TBD)
I left this comment by accident but am leaving it here hehe. (I was typing it on a video about Story Grid and this one auto played before I hit post)!
Hehe, no worries! Thanks anyways!