…I started researching agents and publishers and started the whole process for publishing the traditional way. I had bites but no one seemed to want to take it. So, I planned on going to a thriller conference and talking one on one with agents.
In 2014, at a conference, I tried my pitch to a stranger in the lounge. She asked me if it was YA because she was a YA publisher and she’d take it on the spot. I was excited after that. Unfortunately it isn’t YA. But I went into my meeting with agents with hope.
The one agent I was really excited to meet said to me, “No one reads adventure with a main female character.” And left the room. I was in shell shock. I left thinking he was right and had pretty much forgotten about the conversation with the YA publisher. I was deflated.
And you know what? Toy of the Gods has over 152 ratings, 4 stars, and lots of purchases. Yes, people read adventure stories with female characters.
I met Linda Petrill at the same conference in 2021. She was in several panels talking about the research for her book about a woman assassin. I wanted to buy her book so I asked her about it. She told me it wasn’t published yet, that she had been reaching out to agents and that she was meeting an agent that day. She had excitement in her eyes.
When I saw her later in the halls, she had that shell shocked look. I asked her what happened. “The agent told me that my novels makes no sense because a woman can’t use a sniper rifle.”
You might wander what Linda said back to him. I can tell you that the same as me, she thought this agent was supposed to know his business. So, she left that room without saying a word.
I told her then and there that I would help her get her book published. I own a small publishing company and we take books with strong female characters, so it was a good match.
Linda’s book, In Her Sights, hit best selling the day it came out on Amazon. She’s now a best selling author, although I can tell you that to her the achievement was just to publish. She said this about persevering.
Somebody asked me about that the other. You just have to keep at it – I’ve been working at this for 20 0 years, so it works out in the end.” Thank you Linda.
Now, these two examples might be very well the same agent. We don’t remember his name, although I hope she points him out to me at the next conference. And agents are more likely to tell you they don’t want your book for other reasons. But if an agent tells you your book isn’t going to work, then move on..
So finish writing the book, get a critique group, find an editor, and decide what publishing path you want to take. That next step might be someone you meet at a conference, on line, your friends and family, but if you believe in what your writing, keep going.
Show notes:
Find Linda Petrilli’s book here:
Toy of the Gods here:
The Chapterathon events: