My second full year seriously pursuing a writing career is coming to an end in a few days. In this post, I want to reflect on what I worked on and accomplished this year. I did not get an agent or a book deal, but there is still a lot I’m proud of. I want to commemorate my progress on this website, for future Erika to look back on.

Accomplishment 1: I have twelve polished picture book or board book manuscripts.

While I only wrote a few new picture book or board book manuscripts this year, I was able to do a lot of revising of the top manuscripts that I use when querying or submitting. There are two in particular that I query/submit the most. In the new year, I plan on adding a few other ones into the running more often. Of course, four of the manuscripts are board books, which I don’t query with. But perhaps I’ll look into small publishers who accept unagented board book submissions in the new year.

Accomplishment 2: I pitched my manuscripts at about a dozen different pitch party events.

Whether on Twitter, SavvyAuthor, or via another event, I was able to pitch quite a few of my polished manuscripts this year. I received some likes as well, which is always a great feeling. I’ve submitted to the agents who have liked my manuscripts, but next year, I plan on submitting to the editors, as well. Some editors require that I have an agent before submitting, but not all of them do. Overall, I’m happy I put my work out there and received some positive feedback.

Accomplishment 3: I sent out around 70 queries to agents.

My goal for the year was 50, so I’m really proud of myself for putting in the effort to keep going past that number. Querying is time consuming and emotionally taxing, so the fact that I made it through a whole year of querying without quitting feels like an accomplishment. I still have some queries out, including a full package, but I plan on starting the process again once the new year begins. This last month of the year is the holiday season, so it made for a natural rest period before starting up again.

Accomplishment 4: I attended an in-person writing conference and quite a few online events.

The Florida SCBWI Regional Conference was a wonderful experience. I was able to spend some time with one of my critique partners and met a lot of amazing fellow writers. I was able to facilitate a breakout session and also got matched with an agent for the in-person manuscript critique. That agent offered to provide feedback on the revised version of my manuscript, which I really appreciated. That story is now one of the main ones I query with.

I also attended a lot of online programs and webinars, like Florida’s Critique-a-Palooza. Another great event with agent feedback and also the opportunity to submit to agent and editor faculty. I actually have a manuscript out now with one of the faculty editors. Fingers crossed! Plus, 12×12 webinars and book chats and Writing Mastery Academy courses and webinars were also watched. So, a lot of learning happened this year.

Accomplishment 5: I met with my critique partners on a monthly basis.

Getting feedback from fellow writers is so key for improving my writing craft. I have a wonderful online critique group that meets monthly to provide live feedback on our work. My stories are strengthened by these meetings and I am also invigorated by the successes of my partners. For example, I can’t wait for one of my critique partner’s debut picture book to come out next year!

Accomplishment 6: I started writing my first chapter book. Or is it a middle grade novel?

It started as an outline for a chapter book. But after I started writing it, the draft got longer and longer, quickly surpassing the usual length for chapter book. The first draft isn’t done yet. I have about seven chapters left. Once it’s finished, I’ll need to decide if I want to rework it as a chapter book or revise it as a MG novel. But overall, I’m glad I am trying my hand at writing a new category of children’s stories.

Accomplishment 7: I was chosen as a finalist in two mentorship programs.

I was a finalist for The Word’s Editor-Writer Mentorship and am currently a finalist for the WNDB Mentorship. I’ll find out about the later mentorship next month, but in any case, I’m so excited that two of my stories were chosen as finalist for these mentorships. It was definitely a confidence boost this year, especially since the two stories are the main ones I query with. Seems I’m on the right track!

Accomplishment 8: I read a lot of great picture books!

I love that my public library is so close to my home. And that there are YouTube channels with a lot of picture book read alouds. I had the chance to read a lot of picture books this year and I look forward to reading plenty more in the new year. I even started a TikTok account where I can keep a digital bookshelf of the picture books I am reading. It’s a newer project, but one that I’m hoping will help with future comp needs.

Wrap Up

Overall, I feel like I made a good amount of progress in my traditional publishing journey this year. I have quite a few manuscripts polished, have done quite a bit of agent research, and am ready to start submitting to smaller publishers in the new year. My critique parter and mentor both got their first agents through getting a book deal offer first, so I’m going to diversify what opportunities I take advantage of in the new year.

I hope you also had a wonderful writing year!