An awesome resource courtesy of Derek Davidson. Thanks, Derek!

Our very own Grigory Lukin! Check out this awesome interview he did for Writing Day Workshops.

What advice do you find helpful? Please share!

And please go follow him in all the places. Thanks!

Some really great stuff here. And of particular interest for my picture book authors out there.

Vicky pulls back the curtain on her life as an agent. Enjoy the read!

Some points of note:

What do you wish querying writers knew?
 
That a pass really isn’t personal. When an agent says something isn’t the right fit, they usually mean exactly that. The puzzle piece doesn’t fit the list right now, or they’re not the right salesperson for it. 
 
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
 
Write more than one book. So many writers pour everything into one manuscript and then treat every rejection like it’s the end of the road. But the writers who break through are almost never the ones who wrote one manuscript and waited. They’re the ones who kept writing, kept learning, kept building their craft across projects.

This might feel familiar. Especially if you substitute a few words.

Your “writing journey” will expose every unhealed part of you.

Your abandonment issues show up when “agents reject/ editors pass / readers leave bad reviews.”

Your scarcity mindset shows up in “what you say about yourself.”

Your need for control shows up when you can’t “show others your work / press send.”

The rest works just fine for this journey we’re all on. 🤪♥️💪

You’ve got this. And on your worst day please know that you’re not alone.

Just keep moving forward. I believe in you!

You are worth fighting for. When you really believe that, things will change. 💕💥

Does this resonate with you?

Do you have any other words or phrases you might substitute for these thoughts? Please share!

I first met Lori at an ACFW Conference and we debuted the same year (2014). We were also literary agency mates and she was always very kind to me. Her first novel won a Christy and Book of the Year – wow!

I’m so glad I got to circle back around and talk to Lori again. I didn’t know that her journey to traditional publishing took 22 years (I thought my 14 year journey was something!) and I also didn’t know about her cancer journey.

It’s also so interesting that after so many years in traditional publishing, her latest novel is indie. You can read all the details here:

https://www.writingdayworkshops.com/blog/22-years-to-publication-hard-won-writing-lessons-from-historical-novelist-lori-benton

🎥 My eCard to You – Hey, Writers. I See You.

Hey friends,

Whether you’re just starting out, halfway through your first (or fifth) manuscript, querying, revising, or already published—I see you. The dreams, the doubts, the late nights, the quiet hope that your story will find its readers, and sometimes even your family who doesn’t understand… It all matters.

This video is my reminder to every writer out there (and to myself on the hard days):

•  It doesn’t matter what stage you’re at. You belong at the table. You have something to say and we need your voice. You are carrying huge breakthroughs inside of you. It might seem little (or normal), but those keys you hold can unlock something BIG in one of us. It might be a passing comment at a live Zoom meeting or a comment on a post… Don’t diminish how important you are.

•  Doubts and fears will always show up. Imposter syndrome and everything else will come to call even if you’ve written 100 novels. Just keep slaying those dragons. The battle is won first in the mind, and then in the grind. A healthy community is essential. Together we are stronger. Together we succeed.

•  The is only one you, and you bring a unique perspective to the page. Storytelling is a high calling. You have been chosen. Steward it well.

Keep writing. Keep moving forward. Your story matters, and that includes your personal life story too. I’m committed to helping us all navigate the pitfalls, heal from our past, and reach greater heights of creativity.

We don’t have to be miserable artists. We can be happy and whole and write amazing stories that will heal us and our readers. There is never a “just” when you write. You are not just a (genre writer or insert into blank), when you come to the page, there is a deeper work going on.

Thank you all for being a part of this community. ♥️♥️♥️ Your involvement means I get to keep creating content, slinging encouragement, and digging up resources. This causes me to keep pushing myself to go deeper, explore hard subjects, and uncover the gold. I love to learn and you give me that excuse. Thank you.

I love hearing your stories, seeing your progress, and celebrating your wins. Thank you for honoring me with your presence. Thank you for being YOU!

With gratitude,

Brandy

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou

I know this feeling so well — the stories we carry quietly for decades, the characters waiting to be born, and the truths we haven’t yet found the courage to tell.

Layer on the weight of everything we’ve been through, and sometimes we feel completely lost at sea trying to make sense of it all.

But here’s the beautiful truth: every untold story has the power to become someone else’s lifeline, comfort, or spark of hope the moment it’s finally released into the world.

So here’s your gentle (but firm) nudge: What story are you carrying that needs to be told?

Whether it’s a book idea, a personal truth, or a legacy you want to leave… don’t let it stay locked inside you.

“You gotta resurrect the deep pain within you and give it a place to live that’s not within your body. Let it live in art. Let it live in writing. Let it live in music. Let it be devoured by building brighter connections. Your body is not a coffin for pain to be buried in. Put it somewhere else.” — Ehime Ora

You have something to say. The world needs your voice. 📚♥️

Brené Brown: “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable.”

And: “If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.” 

Deena Metzger: “Stories heal us because we become whole through them. In the process of writing, of discovering our story, we restore those parts of ourselves that have been scattered, hidden, suppressed, or lost.”

Here’s a story from the other side of the desk. Emma is great, by the way. If you’re looking for a nonfiction agent, hit her up!

What are your thoughts after reading this?

https://www.writingdayworkshops.com/blog/on-believing-in-books-a-literary-agents-honest-lesson-about-passion-vs-publishing-reality

These paragraphs stand out to me:

“I meet a lot of authors in a year, and many of them are convinced that signing with an agent is what they want most. The announcement on social media that you’re represented by an agency, replying to emails with the line “I’ve CC’d my agent,” adding your agent’s email to your author website – all fun, sexy accessories to the author life. 

But slaving over a proposal and a manuscript that go nowhere wastes a lot of time, attention and emotional energy – things that are essential to living. The crushing disappointment of having a book “die on submission” has the potential to cost an author the joy of writing itself.”

I would add to Emma’s above paragraph that it costs an agent a lot of time, energy, and joy as well. I know because it’s happened to me. I’ve had a few books die on submission and those have been very hard lessons to learn. Those lessens have taught me more about the publishing industry, though.

Here are some statistics. Take these with a grain of salt, but it’s worth thinking about. Grab a strong cup of coffee and a comfort blanket before reading – lol!

Common Estimates from Industry Voices

Anecdotal and insider estimates from agents, former agents, authors, and publishing communities (e.g., Reddit’s r/PubTips, writing forums, and newsletters) generally place the failure rate for agented manuscripts on sub in the following range:

• Around 50% (a common “coin flip” or 40-60% guess for many unpublished/debut authors in recent years). Some agents and observers note it used to feel more like 20-30% in better market conditions, but tighter sales, fewer editors, and a glut of submissions have made it closer to 50/50 or worse in categories like YA or adult fiction.

• As high as 90-95% in more pessimistic takes. For example, former literary agent Mary Kole has been cited as estimating that only about 5% of agent-submitted manuscripts result in a book deal offer, implying ~95% die on sub. This aligns with some broader industry chatter about very low acquisition rates once a book reaches editors.

Other data points include:

• Jericho Writers and similar sources suggest that while an individual editor might acquire only ~1% of what they see, an agent’s targeted submissions (often to 8-12+ publishers/imprints) can push the overall success rate for their client books closer to 10% in some scenarios—still meaning ~90% don’t sell on that round.

• Community consensus often lands around one in three books getting acquired (roughly 67% die on sub), though this is described as rough and variable.

SAY WHAT???? Do you mean to tell me, Brandy, that not every author who I see on social media announcing that they signed with an agent … they actually don’t get a traditional book contract?

Yes, that’s the cold hard truth.

WOW, I know that’s hard to read. And honestly, if you focus on that, you might want to quit writing, but don’t!

— This is why a strong community is so important.

— This is why not taking the industry so seriously sometimes is so important.

— This is why knowing who you are is so important.

— This is why not letting publishing be the report card on you is so important.

— This is why setting a time limit on your traditional publishing dream might be a good idea.

— This is why pivoting to self publishing for some books might be a good idea.

— This is why valuing and celebrating every part of your journey (and not just the contract) is important.

— This is why making true writing friends for a lifetime is more valuable than any contract.

In many way, it might be time for a mindset shift. Knowing all your options helps. Knowing the cold hard reality (sometimes) helps. Set honest expectations and guard your joy. Try not to ever lose your love of writing. Try not to lose that important, beautiful part of who you are when you create.

I can also relate to this thought of Emma’s: “One by one, they failed to sell. Instead of being an elevator to the top, I was more like a human shield for the volley of rejection that landed on my clients.” 

I have felt that, and it’s hard. It’s hard to receive those emails and then have to report the rejections to your client who you love. There have been tears. There have been rage walks…

BUT, with all this in mind, books are still getting published and that big traditional publishing contract dream still does come true for some.

No matter if you go on the traditional publishing path or the self-publishing one, building resilience is key. 🔑

I don’t want you guys to experience the heartbreak and discouragement that I (or others) have. I want your light, joy, and creativity to grow.

I want us all to just keep getting better and stronger. I want our skills to soar… I want you to see and know how important you are. I don’t just want us to just be good writers, I want us to be masterful storytellers. ✍🏻✍🏻✍🏻

These are some of the reasons why I started this group. ♥️

How would you react if your book died on submission after getting an agent? I have to admit, that’s something I never even considered back in my author only days. How will you protect your heart if that day does come?

As a side note, this is a good conversation to have with your future literary agent. Sometimes the agent and author decide to shelve the book for a time because of the market. And sometimes the author decides to shift to another book. Some agents only represent one book at a time and not the author’s entire career. So, just know what you’re getting into before you take that leap.

I’m cheering you on no matter where you’re at and no matter what you decide. Above all, I want you to keep writing and building your tribe. You’re worth it and your voice matters.

~Brandy