Marilyn's Progress Report

Finding an Agent for ORANGEWORLD

This blog promised to share occasional reports on the progress I’ve been making on my book, ORANGEWORLD, the middle grade fantasy for kids ages 8 and up.

For those of you who are not familiar with ORANGEWORLD’s premise: It’s a spooky adventure story about a troubled, 12-year-old boy who hopes to find his recently deceased father’s spirit inside a magical pumpkin where every day is Halloween.

Writing it was the easy part. In fact it was so much fun, I’m eleven chapters into writing the sequel.

The steps toward publication of the first book are less fun.

For those of you who are curious or perhaps you’re thinking of writing a book. I say do it! I’ll be happy to share tips along the way. And feel free to leave any questions you might have in the comments box.

STUMBLING ALONG THE PATH TO TRADITIONAL PUBLICATION

I believe ORANGEWORLD has enough commercial potential that I want to try going the traditional route to publication, whether that’s one of the Big Five Publishers or any of the smaller independent presses.

To do this I’ve completed the following steps.

1. Write the best damn book I can. Proof it. Proof it. And proofread it again.

2. Hire a developmental editor, edit, edit, edit

3. Ask beta readers for feedback, edit, edit, edit

But there is so much more to be done.

4. Find a literary agent who loves my book and who believes in ME.

5. Shape the manuscript further with the agent’s guidance so that they can convince an editor at a publishing company that it is marketable.

6. Then that editor needs to convince their entire publishing team that this book can make their company beaucoup dinero.

7. Prep the book further for publication with additional developmental editing. Line editing. Formatting. Book cover designing. Copy writing for the jacket. And probably a whole lot more stuff I’m not even aware of.

Where am I on this path? I am deep in what my fellow writers call “the query trenches.”

· Sending out dozens and dozens of query letters to agents I’ve researched who specialize in my kind of books.

· Attending conferences attended by agents and editors and signing up for pitch sessions with them.

· Joining writing groups and making friends with kindred spirits.

· Talking to agents and editors at Manuscript Academy (a great online resource for writers) who offer query letter, synopsis and first page critiques to improve queries.

· Participating in pitch competitions on X.com and Bluesky.com such as #P2Ppit. As an example here is a link to the Path to Publication pitch event in January 2025).

· And of course, I’m growing my social media presence. One person at a time.

This last one is where you come in. Thank you for subscribing to my Substack and following me on X.com and/or BlueSky.com. I will gladly follow you back. And any referrals you make to friends and relatives will be greatly appreciated. This simple act of support energizes me and makes me feel that I’m not alone.

There may come that time when I decide self-publishing is the answer. It certainly eliminates a lot of waiting and wondering. And you will be the first (or maybe second) to know if I get to that point.

That’s why I describe this Substack blog as “my journey to publication.” There may be side trips along the way. We may take imaginative detours to my garden, the ski slopes, the beach, or other rest-stops inside my brain. But just know every excursion will fuel my passion for writing and my desire to share it with you.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Marilyn