Switch Up Your Strategy + Tips on Working with a Publisher When You're Not Agented by Author Abbi Lee and Ghost Town Treasure Hunt Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have Abbi Lee here to share a guest post to celebrate the release of her MG Ghost Town Treasure Hunt. It sounds like a great book to read during the Halloween season and I really like that it involves geocaching.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

The best kind of treasure hunt

When his best friend moves away, eleven-year-old Layton Clark wonders if he'll ever have another adventure. Then he meets Sherry. She introduces him to the treasure-hunting world of geocaching. A contagious thirst for adventure sends them hunting for mysterious geocaches popping up in random places-like an abandoned Kansas ghost town.

Layton and Sherry must work together to unlock the clues in the strange geocaches, solve a 100 year old mystery to clear a dead man's name, and convince Layton's archaeologist father the town is worth studying further so his family doesn't have to move.

With everything he holds dear at stake, Layton can't afford to leave a single headstone unscrubbed, or geocache treasure undiscovered.

Now here’s Abbi!

Find Success in Switching Up Your Strategy

When I first started writing for publication, I wrote picture books. I researched the industry, made a massive list of literary agents, and wrote multiple manuscripts to fill out my picture book portfolio. These stories went through critique partners, beta readers, and many more people before they were ready to send out to agents. As time passed, my inbox was full of rejection after rejection. Countless times, I received the same feedback… my voice was more suited for middle-grade.

So, I made a switch.

I had an idea I thought would be better for a middle-grade audience, so I began to write that story. Again, the story went through trusted critique partners and multiple beta readers before I felt it was good enough to send out. During the querying process, the manuscript received everything from form rejections to full-manuscript requests. All in all, the story ended up with 131 rejections from agents. I had queried it until I had no one else to send it to. I was at the point where most people in the publishing industry tell you to shelve the manuscript and move on to something else. But instead…

I made another switch.

If I couldn't find an agent, why not submit it straight to the publishers? So I started searching for small and mid-sized publishers who accepted unsolicited manuscripts. (There are quite a few, actually). I told myself that if none of the publishing companies wanted it, then I would shelve it knowing I'd done everything I could to get it published. Luckily, it didn't take long before I had a small publisher interested in my story. After a revise and resubmit, they were willing to take a chance on me and sent over a contract. 

All because I switched up my strategy, my debut middle-grade novel is now out in the world. I'm also under contract with the publisher for the sequel and the plan is to have a third and final book to round out the series, making it a trilogy. So, if you're following the traditional path to publication and it's not working how you want it to, maybe it's time to switch up your strategy.

Everyone's road to publication is different and no one gets there in exactly the same way. Choose the path that works for you and keep writing!

Bonus: 3 Tips on Working with a Publisher When You're Not Agented

Working with a traditional publisher without an agent is a unique experience, but it’s definitely doable with the right approach and a reputable publishing company. Here are three tips to keep in mind while you navigate the process:

1. Negotiate Your Contract: Without an agent, you’ll be the one negotiating with the publisher. This is intimidating, but not impossible. The key is to educate yourself as much as you can and bring in an expert, if possible. I listened to multiple author podcasts that featured contracts (check out BookEnds Literary Agency’s YouTube channel) so I became familiar on what was considered industry standard. I also had a lawyer friend look at the contract for any glaring problems.
2. Keep Open Communication: Building a good working relationship with your publisher is crucial. Be responsive to their communications and provide any requested materials or information in a timely manner. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out when you have questions or need an update on the process. Keeping the lines of communication open can help ensure that your book’s production and marketing processes go smoothly for both you and the publisher.
3. Stay Organized: Keep detailed and organized records of all communications, contracts, and agreements related to your book. Consider creating a calendar to keep you on track to meet deadlines.
   

About Abbi Lee:

Abbi Lee taught high school English and Social Studies before turning her full attention to writing. She now works for a marketing agency, has been published in multiple magazines, and is proud to announce Ghost Town Treasure Hunt as her debut middle-grade novel. Outside of reading and writing, Abbi also enjoys making (and eating) no-bake cookies, geocaching for hidden treasures, and going on adventures with her husband and two daughters.

You can find Abbi via her website or on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook: @abbileebooks

Giveaway Details

Abbi is generously offering a paperback of Ghost Town Treasure Hunt for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by November 9th. If your email is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter or follow Abbi on her social media sites, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Friday, November 1st I’m participating in the Thanks a Latte Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, November 6th I have an interview with author Jan Gangsei and a giveaway of her YA Dead Below Deck and my IWSG post

Saturday, November 9th I’m participating in the Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop

Monday, November 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with CoCo Freeman and a query critique giveaway

Saturday, November 16th I’m participating in the In All Things Give Thanks Giveaway Hop

Monday, November 18th I have a guest post by Elisa Stone Leahy and a giveaway of her MG Mallory in Full Color

I hope to see you on Friday!