Sally has signed with Literary Agent Shelley Instone. Especially wonderful as Sally struggles with dyslexia. She wrote this beautifully candid post for W&P last year. We're delighted how Sally's persistence has paid off!
Over to Sally for how it happened...
I started writing in 2007. Like many writers, I stayed in the writer’s cupboard for a few years until I was coaxed out by other likeminded folk when I joined my first critique group. Since then I have embraced writing life, joining and volunteering for SCBWI. Like every aspiring writer, I have beavered away furiously; writing, editing, polishing, blogging and submitting. And like every writer I soon came to expect rejection, and despite trying to be the metaphoric rhinoceros, found each one would dip me down on the yo-yo of despair, to be pulled back with renewed hope (or stubbornness) to continue submitting.
In September, I stumbled on a new agent, Shelley Instone, and after researching her and finding she had worked with fellow SCBWIer, and UV12 Honorary Mention, Lara Williamson on her Début Novel A Boy Called Hope, I swiftly submitted. I then sat back with the expectation of a long wait and a lovely thank you but no response, to find three days later an e-mail from Shelley asking to see other work, and a request to meet up.
After I met Shelley, I quickly put my autograph on the contract and poured a rather large glass of something bubbly.
Being somewhat of a spreadsheet fanatic, I've kept records of all my submissions; here is my writing journey, to the point of signing with Shelley in numbers…
Books written – 2 Novels, I Novella, 5 Picture Book Texts
Agent Submissions – 31
Agent Requests for Full Manuscripts – 7
Agent Rejections – 30
Agent Signed - 1
Publisher Submissions – 7
Publisher Requests for Full Manuscripts – 7
Publisher Rejections – 6 (still waiting on one)
Competitions entered -10
Competitions won – 1
Competitions Long-listing – 2 (The Times Chicken House 2013 & 2014)
Competitions Honorary Mentions – 2 (Undiscovered Voices 2012 & Winchesters Writers Conference 2012)
Congratulations Sally, you're an inspiration!
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