The Problem with Dragons

“People very often say to me, ‘How did you do it, how did you raise a baby and write a book?’ And the answer is – I didn’t do housework for four years. I am not Superwoman. And um, living in squalor, that was the answer.” – J.K. Rowling

Today, I want to share with you what I am up to behind the scenes.

First, I am querying literary agents and publishers for my novel, The Shattered Queen.

This can be a daunting and complicated process. You have to find an agent that is accepting queries in your genre (Adult Fantasy/Romantasy). You send them a letter, 500 words or less, explaining who you are, what your book is about, and why they should read it.

You include whatever random items or information they ask for based on their submission guidelines. If you’re lucky, the agent will just ask for the first three chapters. But each one will ask you to provide something slightly different, which takes time. One might ask for a full synopsis (usually a couple of pages) and the first fifty pages, but then the next one might want a one-page synopsis and the first twenty-five pages. Another might ask for your one-sentence pitch or your bio or want to know what books your story is comparable to. Basically, they all want something different, and it’s time-consuming.

Then it turns soul-crushing as they reject your book in a cold manner with zero indication as to why. But stay positive! Fingers crossed! Or maybe no one wants to publish a clean romantasy with masculine men and strong feminine women because that would be just too normal.

Secondly, I am editing Book 2, The Prince of Hearts, so I can get it through the first round of beta reading. The image to the left is a Grok generated representation of Prince Killian of Scoth.

I edit in two phases. I print the book, read it, and mark it up with a red pen. This part I love. Then I sit down at my laptop and painstakingly apply all the changes. This part I loathe. And this does take a bit longer, especially when I need to add in a chapter or two (which I definitely did). When I hand it off for the first round of beta reading, that will probably take a month, and then back to editing followed by round 2 of beta reading.

Third, keeping up with and promoting this blog is a lot of work by itself. I now also have an Instagram account for this blog with different and original content by yours truly. Click on the link to visit my Instagram and follow me.

Fourth, I’m often playing with my four-year-old dragon. I’m her store clerk and scan all her toys. I have finally informed her that my lane is now express checkout only – 12 items or less (because I can’t fit 50 items on my desk all at once without it ending in disaster).

What I am not doing: Much housework (to my husband’s dismay, but he loves me and knows writing keeps my inner dragon at bay).

This week’s book recommendation was a tough decision. There are several good children’s books with dragons. Knight Owl by Christopher Denise wins out because my daughter enjoys it, and I enjoy reading it to her (which is not true of a lot of books).

Have you ever queried a book? Share your thoughts! Drop me a line or subscribe. You can find me on X as @Writing_Dragons.

There will be no blog post next week. I’m taking the week off for the Easter holiday. Posts will resume on 4/30/25.