Welcome… I’m New Here! Hi

[Lakeland Waffler]

So hi, hello, how are you all doing? I’m Clare, aspiring author. I’m completely new here and I came across Litopia when researching agents.

I’ve recently completed my debut novel and I’m currently looking at sending my manuscript to a fresh batch of agents after some tweaking/editing. I’m around 15 rejections in and that’s fine but I’m struggling with where to go from here. Is it my cover letter that’s not grabbing attention or is the writing just not up to scratch? Who knows at the moment but I will persevere and figure it out, hopefully.

So that’s where I’m at. Anyway, onwards and upwards. Bear with me while I find my way around and I look forward to chatting to you all.

 

[Sedayne]

Hi Clare @Lakeland Waffler

Nice to meet you. I hope you're finding your way around and settling in.

Congratulations on finishing your novel! What's it about?

You're in the right place for help with tweaking your submission package. You can ask for critiques on query letters, synopses, chapters and more in the Lab.
If you haven't done so already, watch the video How to Use the Lab

If you upgrade to paid membership, you can join the weekly Huddle and get real-time feedback and expert advice too.

Any questions, just ask. We're a friendly bunch.

Rachel

P.S. Don't get disheartened if you suddenly decide you haven't actually finished your novel, and you want to make big revisions. That's what happened to me when I joined Litopia. But all for the better.

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

Hi Rachel

It’s great to meet you. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I’ve literally been here an hour, so very much finding my way around. Thanks for your suggestion on using the Lab. I’ll take a look.

My novel is a dual timeline time travel adventure/mystery??? and obviously with the time travel element is part historical (yep I’m still struggling with the genre and I know I should have that nailed!) Think Outlander but set in the Lake District, (Keswick & Derwentwater) and rather than staying in the past, the main protagonist travels back and forth to different times. She travels by means of an ancient oak trying to find her brother and best friend who disappeared thirty years apart. She then becomes embroiled in a mystery when she sees a body being buried on an island in the lake’s centre taking her to meet figures from Keswick’s past (real life historical figures with fascinating history). Obviously the mystery is unrelated. Or is it?? There’s also a subplot of romance, with an affair with a married man in the present and an attraction to someone she meets 450 years in the past. Any thoughts on that very welcome!

As far as further edits go, whilst yes, it might be a little frustrating, I really believe in my idea and want to get it out there for others to enjoy, so I want to make the best I possibly can.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I’m looking forward to chatting in the future.

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

Should have said I’m also very much looking forward to hearing about everyone else’s projects. (Juggling making tea, running a guesthouse and unpacking a Tesco delivery)

 

[Sedayne]

yep I’m still struggling with the genre and I know I should have that nailed!

The genre thing is a pain, but a necessary one, alas. The writing is a joy; the pitching is a slog.
Your novel sounds intriguing - time travel/mystery/historical/romance - cool.

 

[Vagabond Heart]

Hello Clare, welcome to the group, lovely to have you with us.
Am thinking of moving up near to the Lake District myself, within the next year. We’ll have to meet up.
Xx B

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

You hit the nail on the head there, when you said the writing is a joy, the pitching is a slog.

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

Hello Clare, welcome to the group, lovely to have you with us.
Am thinking of moving up near to the Lake District myself, within the next year. We’ll have to meet up.
Xx B

Hi, lovely to meet you Vagabond Heart. That would be lovely. In the meantime, if you want any advice regarding a move to the area (if that’s allowed in this forum), do let me know. We moved here from N. Yorkshire 14 years ago with zero regrets.

 

[Claire G]

Welcome @Lakeland Waffler / Clare,

Your novel sounds great! Look forward to seeing you around the colony.

Claire x

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

Welcome @Lakeland Waffler / Clare,

Your novel sounds great! Look forward to seeing you around the colony.

Claire x

Thanks Claire. I look forward to seeing you around too and hearing about your wip.

 

[RK Wallis]

Welcome aboard @Lakeland Waffler Congratulations on finishing your first novel! It's a tough slog in the query trenches atm so I wish you the best of luck xx r

 

[JohnBertel]

Think Outlander but set in the Lake District, (Keswick & Derwentwater) and rather than staying in the past, the main protagonist travels back and forth to different times.

I would say there's a pitch right there

Welcome on board!

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

Welcome aboard @Lakeland Waffler Congratulations on finishing your first novel! It's a tough slog in the query trenches atm so I wish you the best of luck xx r

Thanks. Nice to meet you RKWallis.

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

I would say there's a pitch right there

Welcome on board!

Thanks for that John.
I’m really looking forward to interacting with everyone and bouncing ideas around.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Hi Rachel

It’s great to meet you. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I’ve literally been here an hour, so very much finding my way around. Thanks for your suggestion on using the Lab. I’ll take a look.

My novel is a dual timeline time travel adventure/mystery??? and obviously with the time travel element is part historical (yep I’m still struggling with the genre and I know I should have that nailed!) Think Outlander but set in the Lake District, (Keswick & Derwentwater) and rather than staying in the past, the main protagonist travels back and forth to different times. She travels by means of an ancient oak trying to find her brother and best friend who disappeared thirty years apart. She then becomes embroiled in a mystery when she sees a body being buried on an island in the lake’s centre taking her to meet figures from Keswick’s past (real life historical figures with fascinating history). Obviously the mystery is unrelated. Or is it?? There’s also a subplot of romance, with an affair with a married man in the present and an attraction to someone she meets 450 years in the past. Any thoughts on that very welcome!

As far as further edits go, whilst yes, it might be a little frustrating, I really believe in my idea and want to get it out there for others to enjoy, so I want to make the best I possibly can.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I’m looking forward to chatting in the future.

Hello Clare, I am down the road a way near Blackpool. I think Harper North are closed to subs right now, they ran an open sub window in May, but northern publisher Northodox have to be worth a go at some point. No agent needed.

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

Hi Katie-Ellen
Thanks so much for the reply. I submitted to Harper North actually but didn’t receive a reply. In hindsight it was probably too soon as I’ve done more editing since. I’ll definitely take a look at Northodox though. Thanks

 

[Jonny]

Hello Clare @Lakeland Waffler

Nice to have you here and hope you're settling in.

If you're unsure of anything or need any assistance navigating our labyrinthine halls - please drop me a message and I'll be happy to help if I can.

You're in a stunning and inspirational part of the world. One of my favourite places.

 

[mickleinapickle]

So hi, hello, how are you all doing? I’m Clare, aspiring author. I’m completely new here and I came across Litopia when researching agents.

I’ve recently completed my debut novel and I’m currently looking at sending my manuscript to a fresh batch of agents after some tweaking/editing. I’m around 15 rejections in and that’s fine but I’m struggling with where to go from here. Is it my cover letter that’s not grabbing attention or is the writing just not up to scratch? Who knows at the moment but I will persevere and figure it out, hopefully.

So that’s where I’m at. Anyway, onwards and upwards. Bear with me while I find my way around and I look forward to chatting to you all.

From one waffler to another, welcome to Litopia. In my case, waffler in the sense of the written word rather than the spoken (though some might say differently).

Litopia is a bit special, and I'm sure you'll find the inspiration and help you are looking for. Good luck with your novel... sounds intriguing.

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

Hello Clare @Lakeland Waffler

Nice to have you here and hope you're settling in.

If you're unsure of anything or need any assistance navigating our labyrinthine halls - please drop me a message and I'll be happy to help if I can.

You're in a stunning and inspirational part of the world. One of my favourite places.

Hi Jonny

Thanks so much for your reply. I’m delighted to find the colony. I’m blown away by the number of replies I’ve had to be honest and I feel like perhaps I’ve found the right place! I am a member on another site with a forum but it hasn’t been half as enthusiastic and welcoming as you have all made me feel here. I read through some of the info regarding giving feedback last night and I’m really excited to get started. I love the sound of the method for feedback, rather than giving literary criticism that has at times felt rather confusing and conflicting.

Hello Clare @Lakeland Waffler

Nice to have you here and hope you're settling in.

If you're unsure of anything or need any assistance navigating our labyrinthine halls - please drop me a message and I'll be happy to help if I can.

You're in a stunning and inspirational part of the world. One of my favourite places.

Hi Jonny

Thanks so much for your reply. I’m delighted to find the colony. I’m blown away by the number of replies I’ve had to be honest and I feel like perhaps I’ve found the right place! I am a member on another site with a forum but it hasn’t been half as enthusiastic and welcoming as you have all made me feel here. I read through some of the info regarding giving feedback last night and I’m really excited to get started. I love the sound of the method for feedback, rather than giving literary criticism that has at times felt rather confusing and conflicting.
I am seriously thinking about full membership already too so any pointers towards more info on that might be useful but I’ll continue to look around for now and find my way about.
And yes, I’m so incredibly lucky to live in the Lakes and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else now.

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

From one waffler to another, welcome to Litopia. In my case, waffler in the sense of the written word rather than the spoken (though some might say differently).

Litopia is a bit special, and I'm sure you'll find the inspiration and help you are looking for. Good luck with your novel... sounds intriguing.

Hi mickleinapickle
I’m definitely a waffler in both senses of the word, I’m sure and my husband will no doubt agree!
I’m definitely excited to have found litopia and look forward to interacting more.