As you may have seen, I recently got lucky. I signed with a wonderful literary agent and shortly after, announced a book deal with Orbit Works. This is the most exciting thing to happen in my author career so far, and I’m screaming internally non-stop.
You may be wondering how the hell I got here (because honestly, same!!). But even if you don’t give a damn, I’ll tell you anyway (because transparency and all that).
Jumping ahead, my biggest take-away from this experiences is that each author’s journey is as unique as they are and sometimes things happen out of order and when you least expect them to. So, here is my crooked little path to traditional publication:
February 2018 – The beginning
I began drafting the first scenes of a heisty little space opera, Blackjack Interstellar, as a distraction from my mum’s terminal illness and death. I had no outline or plans to publish.
The first draft took me about 9-10 months to complete.
December 2018 – First feedback
I signed up to a critique website called The Next Big Writer. There, I got my first feedback and critiqued the work of others. It wasn’t all rosy, but I felt alive. This is when I realised I wanted to work towards publication.
January 2019 – January 2023 – Revisions, aka the bog of despair
I did about 5 rounds of revisions including 2 MAJOR rewrites.
During this time, I also published several short stories and poems, read heaps of craft books, attended virtual workshops and volunteered for a couple of writing organisations.
February 2023 – More feedback
After having done all I could on my own, I was finally ready to share my book with beta readers. 5 People read the novel in its entirety. Several more reviewed the opening chapters. I also got a professional first pages assessment through SpecFicNZ (New Zealand speculative writers association) and got help with parts of my query package from editor and coach Rachel Grosvenor.
April 2023 – I sent my first query letter
Between April and December 2023, I queried just over 30 agents and a handful of publishers who accepted direct submissions. Most of these ended as form rejections or CNRs (closed with no response).
During this time, I also sought more feedback on my query package from peers and professionals, e.g. The Manuscript Academy.
December 2023 – Yeeting my book into the Orbit
Just before the new year, I learned that Orbit accepts un-agented submissions for their new imprint and fired one off, without the expectation of hearing back. This may have been my last shot before giving up on trying to traditionally publish this book.
I know 30-something queries isn’t a considered a lot these days but… I had no full requests, and it was starting to really get to me.
I still believed in my novel and even seriously considered self-publishing it, and took some steps in that direction, but it felt overwhelming.
Another part of me felt I needed to take a chill pill, and maybe focus on writing something else first. I didn’t want to rush the self-publishing decision simply because I desperately needed a dopamine hit (esp. considering I’m a spoony, recovering from burnout).
Instead, I focused on non-writing endeavours and didn’t submit or query for the next few months.
April 2024 – The tables turning
When I least expected it, I received a hold notice from Orbit Works. They said they liked my book but needed more time. Shortly afterwards, the acquiring editor set up a call with me, and, following all the formal approval rounds, I got an offer.
June 2024 – Finding an agent
I started querying more agents and nudging those I already queried while I was waiting for the offer to come through. Technically, I didn’t need an agent at this stage. But I wanted one anyway, because (a) I’m not fluent in legalese and wanted help understanding and negotiating the contract (b) I felt it can benefit my career long-term because agents can also provide advice and find opportunities you may not have otherwise known about.
Make no mistake, although it can be easier to find an agent once you have a publishing offer, many will still reject you. Some, simply because they can’t meet the tight deadline (that the publisher set for you to respond by).
In the end, I had calls with two agents and ended up signing with Bethany Weaver. I’ve heard great things about her and knew she represented a couple of other authors with the same publisher.
July 2024 – PM official
In July, I signed a contract with Orbit and became “PM official” (i.e. when your agent posts the notice on Publishers Marketplace).
2025 – Publication
Blackjack Interstellar is expected to come out in July 2025.
You can read more about the book on Orbit’s website.
I’m also currently working on a sequel, but that is another chapter altogether!
I am over the moon with how things have played out. Orbit feels like the perfect home for my crazy space romp. And Bethany, together with the team of authors she represents, seem exactly like my kind of weird 🖤.
I’m so-so grateful and I’m living my dream right now.
I will be posting more about my publishing journey, lessons learned, and cool bookish content. I don’t have a formal newsletter, but I will be making more regular and more informative blog entries. This is the best place to follow me (also on socials, especially instagram/threads).
And please, don’t hesitate to ask questions. I’m by no means an expert, but I love the writing community and always happy to help out fellow writers where I can.
Until next time,
A. Zaykova xx
P.s. I want to do a post of dispelling some publishing myths, so if there’s any common belief you want me to write about, let me know.
A. ZAYKOVA 