It Took This Award-Winning Author 15 Years to Get Published

Do you ever read a story of success that gives you goosebumps? This is going to be one of those stories. Prepare to get teary eyed and renew your hope in the dreams you've been chasing!

I'm beyond honored to be interviewing award-winning author Laura Drake. She's been writing since 1994 (when she was 40) and it took her...wait for it...15 years to sell a book. AKA never give up on your dreams!

Let's dive in!

How long did you query before you got an offer of representation?

"Sixteen years. Wrote a book, queried. Got no takers. Write, repeat. Third book sold."

About how many rejections did you receive before you got an offer of representation?

"417 (but who’s counting?) "

Were there any times you felt like giving up? If so, what kept you going?

"Many times. But I’d think back to the reason I started writing to begin with, and it had nothing to do with getting an agent or selling. It was about getting the story in my head down on the page in a compelling way – to give readers the joy I’ve had, reading a book I loved for the first time. "

Did you use any resources during your querying journey like QueryTracker, Publishers Marketplace, etc.?

"Mostly the writers group I belonged to – an RWA chapter (Romance Writers of America). They’re actually the reason I got an agent. I’d queried around 150 agents for the first two books. I wrote the third, and I thought it was special. My critters (crit group) said it was sure to sell. But I queried it, and despite many request for fulls, I only had one or two left out there.

We had an editor flying in to speak at our meeting, and I worked near the airport, so they asked me to pick her up. Friday traffic in Southern California is nuts, but that day, a tanker had overturned – she was stuck with me in the car for two hours! Eventually, she asked what I wrote, and I pitched her my book. She said it sounded interesting, and to send her a proposal. I reached into the back seat and handed it to her. Hey, I was desperate! She was a bit taken aback but promised to read it on the plane on the way home. Sure enough, she contacted me on Monday and said, ‘The first thing we need to do is get you an agent.’ Yeah, like I hadn’t thought of that. But she introduced me to my dream agent, Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates.

That book? Sold in a minor bidding war and won the RWA RITA award for best first book.

So persistence paid off! "

Is there a particular rejection that stands out to you?

"They all did. But you know what? It’s kind of like when you first started plucking your eyebrows. Remember how it burned? But it probably doesn’t hurt quite so bad now, right? Rejection toughens your skin. And that’s something you’re going to need in this career! "

Did you ever receive an R&R?

"Lots! None of them got me an agent."

What’s the best advice you could give someone who’s in the querying trenches?

"Write the BEST book you can. Edit your query until the gatekeeper is going to need sunglasses to read it!

Remember why you started writing, and …

If you keep breathing, and keep learning, you HAVE to get there eventually. It’s science. "

Is there anything else you can share that you think would help others on their querying journey?

Have a Plan B. I’ve seen writers who get discouraged by rejections and decide to self-publish, but they’re bitter. If you have a second plan, like ‘I’ll query for X months, and don’t have an agent, I’ll do ______’

That way, it’s not a failure, just a new plan.

Enjoy this time. An author of over 60 books told me this before I sold. She said this is your time to play. I thought she was nuts. Turns out, she was right. Once you are under contract, you don’t have time to daydream – you have a deadline!

Thank you, Laura, for sharing this beautiful journey with us! Don't forget to check our her latest book, THE ROAD TO ME!

Don't forget to subscribe for new author interviews and querying tips!