Merry meet all,
I am over the moon with the good news! Unveiling Nightmares is publishing my YA horror novella! I am so excited and happy about this. I never thought it would happen to me. It took a few days for the shock to wear off. I am stunned. I am so happy because the novella was so much work to edit.
I am luckier than most! I had help with edits on the novella. Stephanie Ellis helped me edit it and she breathed new life into the manuscript. She totally understood that I am neurodivergent and while I am not an amateur, I did have to seriously improve my writing in order for it to become publishable quality. I had to overcome bad writing habits but now I am more confident in my writing skills.
Also, another friend of mine Fred Raworth helped me with a few line edits. The initial draft of the manuscript looks nothing like the manuscript now. The manuscript and my other writing has received so many rejections and now it has been accepted! This is a dream come true and opens so many doors for me. They are already drafting up a book cover for me. That seems a bit fast but I can’t wait to see the book cover. I have been published before in anthologies, magazines and Ezines but this is my first book.
I don’t know if they will keep my title. I have a strong feeling they will. I am not a pro by any means at choosing a marketable title. I must say Cult of the Spider People is the best I have created this far.
Unveiling Nightmares is a new indie publisher! Here is the acceptance email I received from them.
Copied and pasted:
“Dear Heddy,
I hope you’re doing well. It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that we have decided to accept your manuscript, “Cult of the Spider People,” for publication. Congratulations!
Your work impressed us with its compelling narrative, well-developed characters, and overall literary merit. We believe that your manuscript will captivate readers and make a valuable addition to our publishing list.
We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with you on the publication of your book. Our team is committed to supporting you every step of the way, from the editorial process to marketing and promotion.
Once again, congratulations on this significant achievement. We look forward to working together and bringing your manuscript to life. Thank you for choosing us as your publishing partner.
Crystal Baynam
Never give up! I was so discouraged before I received the acceptance email, I wanted to quit. I am so glad now that I ignored that nagging voice in my head. Quitters never win. You will never know if you can get ahead if you quit. You never get anywhere and the thousands of other hopefuls are quick to take your spot.
Keep improving at your craft. Even my writing needed improvement. So yes, learn about how to use adverbs and adjectives. Practice, practice, practice.
Be nice to everyone in the writing field. It is a small world. Word gets around and you want to be known as professional and nice.
Keep sending your writing out. Send your writing out to agents and editors but also the editors who want flash fiction and short stories.
Track where you send your writing. You can use spreadsheets or Google Docs or a word document. That way you won’t send the same story to an editor twice.
Learn everything you can about the publishing field. Get professional advice before signing a contract. Don’t rush into it. Don’t worry they won’t forget you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Publishing is a business. Don’t ignore your gut feelings or intuition. Avoid publishing scams and editor scams like the plague. They pay YOU not the other way around.
Be original. I used to believe that editors didn’t want an original horror story. I have happily discovered that they DO! There are so many worn out horror tropes that desperately need new life breathed into them. It’s alive, alive! Yes do write a gut clenching, original horror story that is sure to keep readers up at night- all night cursing you because they can’t put your book down. Write the book that only YOU can write.
Support your fellow writers. I have not had a book published for many years. I still showed up to rally for my fellow authors. Besides, I get great books that way. Grab a coffee and attend local book launches. You can’t go it alone and a community of fellow authors is invaluable. They know the publishing business, they know contacts and they will appreciate you.
If you follow all that advice, I am sure you will finally see that acceptance email or phone call! I wish you all the best, dear readers. I will keep blogging and keep you all posted on the process – editing, marketing of my novella!
Blessings, Spiderwitch
