As an #amquerying author, I find the “it only takes one yes” mantra slightly off-putting. The encouragement is nice, but the data and numbers don't back it up. Most of us just get “no’s.” It's more what we do with those “no’s” that define us as an author.
Thanks for the explanation, even if it’s one not needed.
I've mastered the art of not stress eating after a query letter rejection.
You've probably forgotten more about football than I'll ever know.
Doom scrolling break. How's everyone doing out there, really?
An image of a block of text too long for a Bluesky post. The text reads: No, The Blacksmith's Rebellion isn't revolutionary or groundbreaking. It's a traditional Epic Fantasy loaded with familiar tropes that isn't visionary and doesn't advance the genre into any new places. But it was never written to. I wrote it because I was longing for a new Epic Fantasy that felt familiar and accessible to most readers. Because, in this crazy world, sometimes it's nice to escape to the comfort of familiarity wrapped in a new story. Like comfort food for your eyes and mind.
Something I've thought a lot about lately. I wrote my book for myself at first, and the way I see it hasn't changed. #WritingCommunity
You mean the absence of interest? There were none!
I've struggled (and got straight up told Epic Fantasy isn't selling) right now to find agents with traditional/classic Epic Fantasy on their lists. Querying is discouraging enough on its own. It's harder still when you're selling something few are interested in.
Book cover: We've Come for Your Eggs
A fantasy satire based on the Great American Egg Shortage of 2025, starring one pissed off little dragon 🐉🥚
mybook.to/dragoneggs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Glimm for president!"
This explains a lot, thank you!
Feel like Epic Fantasy, or can include classic Epic Fantasy stories, too?
Happy wishlist day, #writingcommunity! Hoping to see some Epic Fantasy on some lists, Thr Blacksmith’s Rebellion still needs a home! 😃 @manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social
Are there any baby #litagents out there looking for a classic Epic Fantasy? I'd love to query you. 😊#writingcommunity #querytrenches
Dear #writingcommunity. What should my 2026 writing goal be? 1) Finish the follow-up that my beta readers keep begging for a book that is dying in the query trenches. 2) Start a new sci-fi post-apocalyptic. 3) Start a new historical fiction. 4) prep my current book for indie pub.
An image of a sword on a black background that's glowing blue. Blue flames rise from the sword. The words "The Blacksmith's Rebellion" are written over top.
A pitch for the Blacksmith's Rebellion
Comps and themes for the blacksmith's rebellion.
A sample of the writing text from The Blacksmith's rebellion. A block of text over a black and white image of wheat.
An #agentsguide for THE BLACKSMITH'S REBELLION
The Will of the Many X The Justice of the Kings
⚔️ Hidden histories and undiscovered powers
⚔️ Rebellion against illegitimate kings
⚔️ Reluctant leader tempted by power and greed
⚔️ Friends to enemies betrayal
#QueryTrenches People say querying is a roller coaster, but I suspect that's not a universal experience. My experience is just downhill, while others just get exhilaration. Every author’s journey is their own.
If these questpit posts are what am agent’s slush pile looks like, it's no wonder they have a hard time choosing. The talent out there is incredible!
The image, made with free non-AI stock pictures, shows a horror-comedy novel cover titled "DAD BODIES." The top of the cover reads "THE GAME JUST TOOK A DAD TURN" with "DAD" in a different color. The background features a haunted house with multiple towers and illuminated windows against a dark backdrop. At the center is a 20-sided die (D20) used in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, with visible numbers including 1, 7, 13, and 19. The die is surrounded by red blood splatter effects. At the bottom of the cover are six men with expressions of terror and shock. One man is wearing a white shirt over his head. These men are the dads referenced in the title.
CABIN IN THE WOODS × JOHN DIES AT THE END
When their detective friend is murdered at their annual gaming retreat, 5 dads must rely on years of #TTRPG experience—and puns—to solve the crime before they're all killed off like NPCs in a badly written supernatural campaign.
#QuestPit #A #H #MY #Q
Editor's Guide To MARK OF A MAGPIE Crossover Romantic Fantasy 118k Words Text is on a piece of parchment. Behind the parchment are blue seas and gold flower outlines.
Blurb One for Sorrow, Two for Joy, Three for a Girl, Four for a Boy… Ryn is a small-town thief who has a knack for being overconfident in her abilities, but by day she’s a beloved tavern girl with the liver of steel that carries her reputation. On her most daring break-in yet, she runs face first into the kingdom’s last living assassin, Seven, and he’s just offered her the opportunity of a century: a ticket of attendance to the King’s upcoming courtship gathering. It’s a partnership she’d be a fool to take up, but with her family scattered across the sea after the draft, a fool is what she’ll need to be to find them. Five for Silver, Six for Gold… Seven is set on his own plans, however much they interfere with hers, and they won’t be the only ones in attendance with hidden agendas. Once whispers of the past begin to resurface and nobles begin dying around them, it’s survival of the cunning and silver-tongued. The castle is under lockdown, and all bets for the crown are placed on their capture. Seven for a Secret, Never to Be Told. Text is on a piece of parchment. Behind the parchment are blue seas and gold flower outlines.
Tropes and Themes - Thief x Assassin - Mental Health Rep - Identity vs Duty - Class Difference - Forced Proximity - Secret Code - Morally Gray - Women's Wrongs - Unlikely Allies to Lovers Comps: Throne of Glass's castle-setting murder mystery and theme of "who you are versus what you have to do" meets the banter-heavy dialogue, strong female protagonist, and nautical setting of Daughter of the Pirate King. Text is on a piece of parchment. Beside the text are two headshot drawings: one of a girl with brown hair pulled back by braids, and the other of a black-haired boy with a worried expression. Behind the parchment are blue seas and gold flower outlines.
The Atmosphere: There is a collage of pictures on a parchment paper. Picture one is of a boy crouched down with his head covered as a fire burns in the background. Picture two is of two hands tied to a pole on the beach. Picture three shows a person wrapping up the wounded hand of another. Picture four shows an old piece of parchment with unreadable script. Picture five is of an island with a castle and small village surrounding it. Picture six is of a girl on the run with a dagger in hand. Picture seven shows a bottle of alcohol. Picture eight has a medieval alleyway. And picture eight shows a ship's crew enjoying a sunset. There is text below the collage that says: ON SUBMISSION NOW! Represented by Amanda Wooden at SBR Media, contact information available on my website! Behind the parchment, with gold flower outlines surrounding it.
MARK OF A MAGPIE is #OnSubmission! 🐦⬛📖
When a small-town thief crosses paths with the kingdom’s big-shot assassin, an unlikely partnership is born; but can their goals align before their egos and secrets land them both a spot on the gallows?
#QuestPit #YA #A #F #RF
#OS #DIS #EditorsGuide #Editors
A black image with a blue sword emanating blue smoke sits behind the words, "the blacksmith's rebellion".
A longer pitch for the book The Blacksmith's Rebellion for the bluepitch event.
A list of themes and comps for the book pitched in this gallery.
A writing sample from the book set over a background of an expansive wheat field. The text is an excerpt of the books writing.
THE BLACKSMITH’S REBELLION, an epic fantasy where apprentice blacksmith Ari discovers a long-buried history, putting him on a path where he must choose between loyalty to the illegitimate king he’s always known or fighting to restore the rightful rulers to power. #F #Q #A #questpit #agentsguide
My publishing dream is to one day get an invitation to the debut authors Discord server. #amquerying
I'm not sure why, but I have a good feeling about #questpit on the 31st. No good reason to, I simply do. I'm also keen to see all of the other pitches. It’s a glimpse into the incredible talents out there!
Today I learned about something called the “poop shivers”, and now my life will never be the same.
To the foreign intelligence officers out there reading this, either as I type it from my phone or scrape my social media feeds: Hello there.
The thing that bothers Trump most about Prime Minister Carney is that Mark doesn't give him airtime.
I'm only being half glib when I say: The best way to get ICE out of Minnesota is for the state to join Canada. Happy to have them.
It's out there! You just have to look a lot harder for it these days.
Joining #BluePit📖 late? Consider liking/sharing the below post and share the love!
Have you tried using 24-hour aka military time? It makes timezones easier once you get used to it. It's how I figure out East Africa time, Eastern time, and Central time.
A canal boat sits in front of a series of cottages that line a calm canal.
The Avon River Canal in Bathampton, UK. The charm levels are off the scale.
