Hello there stranger.
You’re probably thinking, a blog in 2020? Really? Who even reads anymore? Well, you right now, apparently. And I’d argue that we’re all readers. We’re constantly reading: reading texts, reading memes, reading social media feeds, reading headlines. Text is everywhere in our modern world. And guess what: somebody wrote it all. That means there are a lot of writers out there. And by virtue of this blog, I’m adding myself to the fray. Why?
A classic hero’s journey, of course. A quest, both personal and public. The stakes? Publish or DIE. That’s right. A battle royale of writing where writers duke it out on an island far away. The last one standing gets their work published by one of the big five.
Too dramatic?
Actually, too hopeful. If there was certainty of being published after a battle royale, I think some aspiring authors might sign up for the chance. That said: I am one of many on a quest to be traditionally published. This space will aim to catalog that journey, hopefully in a way that is helpful and educational to others who want to pick up the torch and embark on their own journey.
So who am I to tell you anything about publishing? Why should you care about the journey of a newbie? Here’s a little exposition dump for you, stranger:
I’m 28, cis-gender (she/her), solidly millennial, well-traveled. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember (not well, mind you.) I’m prone to spontaneous decision making after weeks of strenuous consideration. I started taking my writing seriously in February 2019, when I set dual goals of submitting short stories to literary magazines, and finishing my adult fantasy manuscript in 2019. I was miraculously successful in both of those arenas, and my form rejection letter count is now standing at a gleeful 14! 🥳 I even sent one ill-begotten query off for my (mostly semi-sorta polished) manuscript and got a kind rejection email. Literary agent who will not be named, I ❤ you.
I’m in the rising action of my story arc now. I’ve decided I’m going to see my quest through to its uncertain end, and it’s time to recruit some party followers to keep me company on my journey. Since I’ve spent a year learning and trying, I do have some lessons learned to impart. And beyond that, some fun stories to tell. I wasn’t lying about the “plus ninjas” in the sub-heading, either, for the detail-oriented among you. I’m a 2nd degree black belt in Kyokushin karate from the Phoenix Karate-do Association and my martial practice may bleed into this space at times.
I’ll make a few promises up front. Since we’ve established I’m still learning I’ll be straightforward when I know there’s information I’m lacking. My dream for this would be that we create a community where we all learn and grow together. There I go, being too hopeful again.
In sum, whoever you are, wherever you are, I wish you luck on whatever hero’s journey you find yourself on, even if you never visit this blog again. But if you’ve liked any of what you’ve read so far:
Stay awhile and listen.
-M