Beginning the Journey in the Middle

I’ve been writing for years. Fresh out of college, I dedicated myself to writing a fantasy series and landing an agent. I had it all worked out: I’d win over an agent with my writing, they’d represent me to the world, and I could be a mysterious hermit. I wasn’t cut out for live pitching or conferences, oh no. That’s what agents were for, right? Despite working constantly to improve my writing, blurbs, and pitches, I got absolutely nowhere. For almost a decade, I made zero progress.

Enter a fantasy and romance author I met in a Safeway parking lot. She commented on my coat, and things snowballed from there. She asked to see my writing and after reading it asked me: “How have you been submitting this?”

I started using a free trial on Duotrope on her recommendation (not sponsored, haha), and it’s been life changing. Access to an updated database of agents, publishers, and opportunities is a priceless gift and I made my very first sale that autumn. Not only am I breaking into the professional world (I’m working with two amazing indie presses) but I’m challenging myself to write outside of my comfort zone and answer calls for submissions. I even bit the bullet and did the one thing Younger Zven swore they’d never do: I did a live pitch. And you know what? That’s how I made my first sale of a book length story.

My writing journey really is starting in the middle. My biggest takeaway from this experience has been the lesson that other authors aren’t my enemies or competition. We’re all in this together. For most of my journey so far, I’ve felt behind, lost. I’m realizing the missing piece wasn’t Duotrope, it was community.

As we enter the new year, I invite my fellow writers to try something new. Talk to other authors, talk to publishers, and above all, cherish your time with the craft.

Cheers all,

***Zven