Do I stand a chance?

Don't worry about not being a professional writer, we all have to start somewhere. Many writers wrote their debut novels while working steadily in fields unrelated to writing. John Grisham wrote his first novel in his law office before work hours, for instance.

I can't comment much on the vampires and what agents do and don't want, but there's always been a market for vampires and I think there always will be.

Carry on writing because you love it, and hone your craft.

Publishing is a slow business with NO guarantees.

Leigha said:

I just simply think that things are more interesting if you slap a vampire in there .

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That's what they say in the Red Cross blood bank.

I wrote my first two books while working as a software developer. It was published soon after I left the work force. I didn't ever think of the time it took to get published. I just kept writing because I enjoyed it so much. Being accepted by a publisher was just the icing on the cake. So just keep writing and send a query letter out every now and then - and it should just happen.

Leigha said:

I just simply think that things are more interesting if you slap a vampire in there

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It's only interesting if it's like nothing already published. If it's another Twilight, Evernight, Vampire Academy, The House of Night, Vampire Diaries, Night World, etc, then you're in for some problems. Because of the success of these series, more and more writers are churning out vampire stories. You're better off exploring something new. I based my YA urban fantasy novel on a major myth (not Greek) and landed tons of requests. Why? Because it's unique.

Torgo said:

Where will the madness end?

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omg that is utterly hilarious
admittedly, I haven't read it, but I feel insulted just the same

Hi, Leigha, and welcome to AW!

Leigha:
First I am not a professional writer.

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Neither am I. In fact, most of the people on this site aren't professional writers (in the sense of people whose sole source of income is their writing). There are plenty of published writers here who still work on the day job and there are plenty more still working their way through the process of getting an agent.

The good news is that you don't need writing credits to try and get your manuscript published. The bad news is that you do need to view the process as a marathon rather than a sprint and so need to toughen up for the rejections, criticism and so forth that will come at you (but on the plus side, you get a big cheer from the folks here when you cross the finishing line).

Leigha:
I have been told that many agents aren't looking at anything to do with vampires anymore because it is so overdone.

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The YA fantasy market is crowded at the moment and yes, vampires are a tougher sell than they might have been 3 years ago. However, agents are looking for anything well written and with sufficient originality that they can sell it to publishers. Therefore, don't assume that a half-vampire in your story makes for a negative - it ain't the subject matter, it's the way you tell it. (If you'll excuse the atrocious grammar there ...)

Leigha:
It is set up for at least two more books to follow that i have already started to write.

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Unless those two books work on a stand-alone basis, I'd leave off writing them while your first manuscript is out on submission. The reason is because it can be really soul destroying to spend time working on a sequel if (and it's only an if) the first novel isn't taken up. It can be more productive to go and write something completely different and then when your manuscript is picked up, you can casually mention to the agent that you've got two sequels in mind. That gives them something extra to take to commissioning editors PLUS you'll be part way through an entirely new project that can also be sold.

Leigha:
I am gettting very discouraged reading how long this process can take.

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Yup, the process is most definitely a bitch and a half. But it's completely worth it when it comes good.

MM

Torgo said:

Where will the madness end?

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Oh that's too funny. Love the cover though. Much nicer than the version I bought (but never finished reading because I reread Breaking Dawn instead )

Leigha said:

I have to say I feel a bit better now having read these posts. I was having an extremly bad day and had gotten so discouraged I almost just deleted the entire story. Thinking a bit more clearly now I am glad I didn't.

No, my book is NOTHING like Twilight, or house of night books. I really didn't have any book in mind while writing, I simply had words and scenes in my head. I do have have to say I like those books but they are not like mine at all.

Thank you all for your kick in the butt so to speak. I will now quit whining and get back to my writing.

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We all have days like that. No need to apologize. This forum is a great place to come and vent.

Oh yeah, I forgot to say good luck with querying your story!

It doesnt matter that you arent a professional writer. There are a lot of people out there who aren't and have been published. I wouldnt worry about that.

As for the vampire thing. I can see why some would say that it has been overdone, and I might agree with them. However if it sells and kids still want to read it then I don't see a problem with it.

Try to find an agent. If your story is rejected time after time again I would put it on the backburner and return to it in a few years while you work on something new

But ya dont know until you try!

I think the people here have given great feedback I read a lot of vampire stuff, and as a YA I would say that you have to have something out there that does not sound like Twilight or Vampire Academy. I think it's ok to be about vampires, but you have to have your own unique take on it.

However, it sounds like you have. Looking forward to seeing it in print.