I did it. I was planning on waiting until next week. But after I had everything all set to go, I figured why not? So I did it. I pressed the button.
I actually submitted my query to 5 literary agents. It was exhilarating and terrifying, a tremendous relief and the beginning of a great time of waiting. I am steeling myself for rejection – obviously I am confident, but I am also pragmatic – and hopeful for some signs that all the work I have put into this book (and its sequels) will be worthy of representation. I know I have done my research, gotten help, and did my best (though I confess my skills at things like a 1-sentence pitch and a synopsis are not as sharp as I would like). If my writing, my plans, my goal for this story shines though, perhaps someone will take a chance on me and my little adventure tale.
Since your here, I may as well tell you: after years of describing it as “my as-yet untitled YA story,” I have settled on the title Gideon and the Gems of Kukulkan. Perhaps it is not the best, but if the rest of the work I have done is deemed worthy, maybe someone down the line will be able to help me with a better title. And while I am at it, I’ve taken to calling the series The De Leon Legacy. I have it planned for five books. The first (obviously) has been written, I am in the process of writing the second and outlining/researching the third. I have ideas for book four, and I know where the story ends and all the threads that I will be tying up at that point.
So there you go! I will share any news about this, good or bad, on my blog. Wish me luck and thank you for reading. JL
(PS: kudos if you get the reference in the title of this post!)