I wrote Mexia Music Murders for NaNoWriMo 2021. Then I got feedback on Finding Ted James, suggesting I tighten the storyline. So, I focused on one murder and rewrote the book from start to finish. Then I had Debbie line edit the project, and Becky proofread the manuscript. So now it is time to see if any pros are interested.
I subscribed to Query Tracker and sought out those agents who were interested in mysteries. Some wanted a female protagonist, and others wanted an LGBQTI angle. For those that looked promising, I went to Agent’s Wish List, which gives a better idea of what they are looking for. Unfortunately, some were not on AWL, and I cast them aside. I have sent eight query letters to eight agents. Within twenty-four hours, I got my first rejection notice.
My plan is to spend three months hunting for an agent. This means I should send out close to 100 query letters. Not enough time? I don’t know. I must get the book out there and into the reader’s hands at some point.
You never know when someone will say, “That is just what I have been looking for.” But, at the same time, there is another book with a story wanting to be told. Each book becomes better, and I am confident that at some point, I will write that one novel a publisher believes in.
Steven Wilcox 