Bonus Content #1: Story Updates!!
Hi everyone!! So, as you know, if you’ve been on my Instagram, I’ve been querying agents and editors for The Hind and the Hunter!
First update: I’m setting up a vote! I’ve thought of a new title idea, and I need a reader’s point of view.
Also: Queries! Since I’ve been querying, I realized a lot of new YA authors might want to know some publishers and agents looking for writers, since I spent WEEKS compiling my list! Here’s my top 3 for YA authors.
#1: Entangled Publishing
The same publisher that put out Fourth Wing, if you recognize it! They have two YA imprints, Mischief and Mayhem, both open to unsolicited submissions through their Submittable site!
Currently, they’re looking for romantic stories, especially fantasy-chic, so if that’s your manuscript, try to query!
Check it out through the link below. Plus, as a bonus, they’re looking for Illustrators for their Deluxe Editions, so if you’re an artist too, submit!!
#2: Flux Publishing
Flux is a bit smaller, but they’re still a legit publisher! The YA imprint of North Star Publishing, they publish books to increase teen awareness on important topics, like addiction, diversity, and LGBTQ+ awareness, while also having room for some fun, like their dystopian publications! Here is what they list of what they’re looking for:
We seek to acquire:
- Standalone titles, rather than duologies or series
- Edgy, genre-bending stories (send us your sci-fi horror or your fantasy mysteries!)
- Stories that combine a killer premise with social commentary
- Stories that might appeal to reluctant readers: fast-paced storytelling, high-interest premise, cliff-hangers, etc.
- Stories that address difficult and/or weighty topics in age-appropriate, compassionate, and thoughtful ways
- Psychological thrillers that verge on horror or speculative suspense
- Horror that leans toward the uncanny or unsettling rather than toward monsters or gore, and/or horror that stands in for the character’s emotional arc
- Historical fiction that highlights diverse voices and underrepresented or excluded experiences
- Protagonists who encounter (or are) positive models of masculinity
- Voice-y narrators with very specific worldviews, opinions, and tones/slants (could be humorous, snarky, poetic, etc.). We tend to prefer first-person POV.
- Romance as a subplot (especially slow-burn!), not as the primary focus
- Found families and strong friendships / platonic love stories
Across all submissions, we value:
- Racial and/or cultural diversity
- LGBTQIA+ representation
- Neurodiversity
- Representation of physical disabilities, chronic illness, or mental health issues
- Immigrant or first-generation main character(s)
We are NOT a good fit for:
- YA romance or instalove/instalust (in cases where there’s a romantic subplot)
- Christian fiction or morality stories
- Stories featuring elves, dragons, etc.
- Protagonists that are animals/creatures
If that fits your book, check out their link below! Their middle grade imprint, Jolly Fish Press, is also open to queries as of now!
#3: New Dawn Publishing
This Australian-based publisher favours Australian and New Zealand authors, but is also open to international authors for fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction! They’re interested in YA, so if you’ve got a sparkling story in you, check them out!
This is what they’re asking for:
We Are Seeking:
· Speculative fiction in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. All subgenres of these are welcome.
· Stories that invite readers to imagine the boundless worlds beyond our own.
· Well-crafted, vibrant settings and engaging characters with a strong sense of voice.
· Adult, New Adult, and Upper YA fiction (aimed at teens 16 and up).
We Do Not Accept:
· Children’s literature and YA fiction aimed at teens 15 and under.
· Poetry and short stories.
· Works under 70,000 words in length. While we have no maximum word count and will consider works of 200,000 words or more, debut authors will be asked to justify their submission length beyond this point.
You can submit on their QueryTracker here!
These are only three publishers I queried to, but I queried about 12! If you want a comprehensive list of publishers for each genre, subscribe to my newsletter and get a full free list!
(If you’re still insecure about your query, check out qtCritique here! You can have it edited by peers for free, or have it looked over by a professional, all on the same easy, great-to-use platform!)
Anyway: Updates!!
I’ve officially made an author website on BookBub for my romance books as Riri Reme, so check it out! The covers for His Alchemist and Knot An Issue aren’t finished yet, but you’ll love Knot Your Problem and Her Mechanic!
Pre-orders open in January, and ARCs will be sent out to interested parties on the same date, if I don’t get professionally published!
School starts September, so I’m going to be busy with classes and scholarship apps, so I’d love it if ya’ll could show some love and comment!
Finally: Riri Reme updates!
Since my favorite holiday is coming up (Halloween), I’ve decided to release my dark mafia romance, His Alchemist, on October 29th, so you can download it to celebrate the spookiest night of the year!
Hopefully, if my platform grows, next year I can send out special Halloween stories for all my readers to celebrate!!
All my Riri Reme romances will be $2.99- 3.99 on Amazon, and available on Kindle Unlimited!
To finish it all off, I’ve got a couple of polls for readers.
#1: Would you be interested in an extended mafia romance-verse?
#2: Should I create a section of my blog for life updates? As a hijabi, I LOVE fashion, and won awards in high school for my designs (MIST NJ). So, starting this year, I’m learning sewing so I can make my designs a reality! If you think you’d be interested in seeing the growth of my fairytale and fantasy dress series with hijabi-friendly designs, vote yes!
#3: Should I start adding paid short stories and excerpts of my books (including unpublished ones!) to my blog? Unfortunately, my stories have been plagiarized on Wattpad before, so making my stories paid is the only way to keep my books safe.
They would all be priced at $1.00 or less, unless it exceeds 100-150 pages.
If ya’ll are interested in supporting a student author, vote yes!
Thank ya’ll for your support! I really appreciate it. To show you care, drop a funny story that’s happened to you this week in the comments! I had the weirdest day at Costco…
Literary World 