My writing journey

long story shortish

Hello friends,

So I recently did an AMA on my bookstagram stories and one of the questions I got was my path to publishing and there was interest in me doing a longer post about it so tah duh.

I started writing while I was studying for the bar exam (which in a lot of ways feels like yesterday but was definitely not) because it gave my brain a break from all the multiple choice and essay questions. The irony is not lost on me that I decompressed by working on another brain intensive activity. I didn’t really think/realize it was a book at first. Mostly it was something I would just work on for fun, piece together. But I never showed it to anyone, never told anyone about it. It was just this thing that sat on my computer, these characters that lived rent free in my head.

Then I visited my younger sister who was like ‘I feel like you should write a book.’ And my response was ‘funny story’…. My sister then did as all younger siblings do and told me to get it done already.

So, I did. Somehow I made it into a bookish like thing and I entered it into the 2020 Pitch Wars contest. Pretty much only my sister had read it at that point. I had no idea what critique partners were, beta readers, querying (oh, those sweet summer days). While I got a partial request from it, I didn’t get in. But I got the best gift of all, I started making writing friends. Same with my failed attempt to get into Author Mentor Match (#bteam 4ever).

That’s all to say, while it was incredibly disappointing to not get into those programs, it was a great way to meet other writers who were in the same stage of writing as I was, and just learn and grow. (I’ll also add if you enter into any of these programs please keep in mind they are so subjective and also looking for manuscripts that need a certain level of help that the mentor sees a vision that they can help with, it’s so specific, not getting in is not at a signal of how strong your writing is.)

So, after not getting into Pitch Wars and learning that new adult isn’t really a thing (at least then and still not really now but hopefully one day soon) I decided to age up my characters so they were fully adults and take another stab at it. I’m not going to say how many times I’ve rewritten that book but the number is at least five, and each time taught me something new. (If you’ve read Jamie and Vicky’s story, you know, and I hope one day to do something with those two.)

After Pitch Wars 2021 I decided to start querying, I was ready. I had cps, beta readers, I felt good, this was it. This was the book to get me an agent. Spoiler alert: it was not it.

But I wrote the wait and started working on what eventually became Barely Even Friends. When it was clear my first book wasn’t getting anywhere, I entered BEF in for KissPitch 2023 and somehow made it in. After extensively revising it, I started querying again, which was rough. Querying the second time, I thought I was ready, I had already been through it once. But it’s different the second time, things aren’t as shiny, knowing the rejections that come in, how publishing changed during the pandemic (form rejections on full requests just hurt). I couldn’t write the wait this time, I tried to, but querying took a lot out of me.

And then I subbed to my now agent.

The same day I subbed to her, she requested my full. And then 10 days later I got that magic e-mail requesting a call. Which I then immediately wondered what it could mean, and getting ready. I asked other friends what they talked about to their agent, what information they found helpful, what questions they asked.

And somehow, some reason, Cole offered. I ended up being lucky enough to have two offers, but I will say that time from when you notify agents that you have an offer to your deadline is rough. It’s a lot of rejection, a lot of waiting, and just staring at your e-mail (in my experience, everyone’s is different). Getting an agent (and ultimately publishing) is a lot of luck and a lot of timing.

That makes it seem really fast for a process of writing and rewriting (rinse and repeat), with CPs, beta readers, and a lot of work. I could not have gotten to this point alone. My writing has gotten better with the help of others and I’m truly lucky for the writing community I have found and continue to find.

I decided to sign with Cole (and overjoyed to), and by that time it was October so we had to decide whether we could edit my book to go out on sub before publishing shut down for the year. For those not familiar, submission is when your agent sends a pitch of your book and can also send the full of the manuscript as well to editors for them to buy it.

Querying was rough, sub was even harder. It’s slow, it’s hard not to compare yourself to people who sell incredibly quickly. It really took me a minute to be able to write the next thing (I am a big fan of writing the wait). I may have to write an entire post on being on sub, but it’s truly the same advice, find your people, especially people who are going through it as well to just hold your hand because it’s a wild ride and you don’t have to go through it alone.

And then Cole texted me we had an offer.

I’m incredibly lucky my book got bought and it was a journey to get there, but I’m really happy that Barely Even Friends is my debut book. Fairytales have always had a special place in my heart and I’m especially excited to be featuring a curvy/fat main character getting the happily ever after she deserves.

So that’s my writing journey.

I’m now working through the copy edits for Barely Even Friends and I might have been sent an initial cover like thing in my inbox the other day that I can’t wait to see the final version and share it with all of you.

If you want to help with the cover reveal, want your information to be sent to my publisher to be considered to get an ARC, feel free to fill out this form.

Things are happening behind the scenes but I’m excited that I’ll have more to share with you soon. And if you have more questions about my publishing journey or anything feel free to ask.

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Books I’ve Loved

Out Now

The Deja Glitch by Holly James - I read this one on audio and it was just groundhog day perfection. Soft, swoony, and fun twists.

Tastes Like Shakkar by Naina Sharma - this was steamy, battery, Shakespeare retelling perfection. I am such a fan of this series. And the fat rep was just chef’s kiss.

Coming Soon

Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese - I mean if Chloe writes it I’m guaranteed to read it. But this was the epitome of she thinks they’re enemies while he pines and I ate it all up. I will be starting a support group soon because this series and the final Bergman book come out next year and I’m just not sure how to handle that.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood - I somehow got sucked into the world of chess while falling in love with one of my favorite simps. This was exciting, page turning and just addicting (but duh Ali wrote it).

Thanks for reading!

Mae (and KING LOUIS)