So I Wrote a Novel.

[mmmmm...beer]

6 hours ago, Voltaire said:

Wow, this is really promising.  I hear of so many people putting in all this effort and going nowhere but you've got a few seemingly high quality nibbles.

Dude it's so cool.  So far 4 agents alwant to rep the book.  Like legit agents.  Which is honestly super surreal.  I just wanted to see if I could do it.

 

Honestly I feel a bit of imposter syndrome.

[NorthernVike]

After it's published, can we get a 10% discount using code GFIAFP?  

[mmmmm...beer]

17 minutes ago, NorthernVike said:

After it's published, can we get a 10% discount using code GFIAFP?  

Hahaha... Hell no.  It will get put in cuponcabin and someone will get curious and Google it.  The sure enough I'll be all over the news like ~stick, for associating with us here.

[joneo]

On 1/18/2026 at 10:03 PM, mmmmm...beer said:

I wrote a book. Thriller. FBI agent, reservations,  missing kids, some Ojibwe spirit stuff.

Got some pretty good feedback from my ARC folks I sent it out to.  Several were LEO's and Indians.  Lots of positive responses.  So I guess I got those parts right.  

I cleaned it up and sent it out to a handful of agents.  We'll see how she goes.

Anyone readers for fun and leisure?

I have a few series planned.  Mostly procedural cop/supernatural stuff set in Indian Country.  Think Darkwinds meets Jack Reacher.

Any Wendigos in your book?

[mmmmm...beer]

45 minutes ago, joneo said:

Any Wendigos in your book?

I can't tell you!

[mmmmm...beer]

So... very interesting conversations with both ladies.  It turned out differently than I thought.  The first one was very enthusiastic and got the story.  The second one was more commercial and wanted to change several things before we sent it out. 

I told them about the other books I'm writing/have written.  One balked because they were different genre's.  She wanted me to stay sort of in one lane.  The other leaned in and was interested... really interested.

So... I'm going wit the one who is enthusiastic and liked my story for what it was.  She didn't want to change anything... ready to submit to houses now.  I have a couple other interviews, but I've already made my decision.

[posty]

Why don't you self-publish?

[mmmmm...beer]

3 minutes ago, posty said:

Why don't you self-publish?

I discussed this with each and both are okay with me being a hybrid author.  I give them the "literary" stuff that could get awards... etc.  The stuff I want to publish fast... I'll do on KU.

 

[mmmmm...beer]

I signed with one of them.  Went through the contract last night.  There was one suggestion I wanted for the contract but she addressed it in an email, I think is binding so, it will work.

Pretty wild.

[MikeMatt]

On 3/3/2026 at 12:20 PM, NorthernVike said:

After it's published, can we get a 10% discount using code GFIAFP?  

I offered to blow him for an advanced copy and he said FU. No one rides for free. 
 

I’m relieved. I never blew a dude before. 

[mmmmm...beer]

7 hours ago, MikeMatt said:

I offered to blow him for an advanced copy and he said FU. No one rides for free. 
 

I’m relieved. I never blew a dude before. 

Hey... I'm all fairness I didn't know that was in the table.

Check your inbox and give a review on here bro.

[mmmmm...beer]

So my agent emailed me this yesterday morning...

"Good morning Mmmmm...beer!

I have gooooood coffee here and have been at work for a couple hours now. You’ll hear from me again today (especially with that nonfiction proposal)…

And, until then, we have our first editor who has confirmed receipt of YOUR BOOK…

- Editor of XXX Publishing has is in her queue to read

YAY!

Cheers and more soon,

Agent Lady

I acknowledged saying oh cool... Thanks.

Then later on yesterday:

And two more for us:

- Editor at XXX

- Editor at XXX

Both have the book in their queues to read. YAYYY!

Cheers,

Agent Lady

I acknowledged again... And asked what the submission looked like. I'd like to learn about the process.

I got to thinking about it. Wonder why she was so happy about them saying they got it?  I mean... Okay so you sent it.  That's nice.

So I looked it up. Apparently in my naivete I didn't realize, when an editor gets a manuscript from an agent and "confirmes receipt", that apparently means it's passed the first hurdle. That's like when I sent a few pages to an agent and they came back saying they wanted to read the whole thing. It's super encouraging. It means they read the pitch... Liked it enough to acknowledge they are going to read it!

So three of them... two are in the "Big 5" publishing houses and the other is apparently a really strong independent that's pretty much there as well.

Sooooo.... I still don't know what I'm doing! Hahaha... But it seems to be working out.

[posty]

Any update?

[MikeMatt]

3 hours ago, posty said:

Any update?

I’ll give you my update. It is a great ##### read. Every page I turn I say to myself I cannot believe a GC member wrote this. I wasn’t going to review until I finished it but I am 70% done and you asked. 
 

I hope beer makes this a series !! 

[MikeMatt]

On 3/5/2026 at 10:51 AM, mmmmm...beer said:

 

Check your inbox and give a review on here bro.

Will send complete review upon completion. Just gave my 70% two cents. 

[posty]

1 hour ago, MikeMatt said:

I’ll give you my update. It is a great ##### read. Every page I turn I say to myself I cannot believe a GC member wrote this. I wasn’t going to review until I finished it but I am 70% done and you asked. 
 

I hope beer makes this a series !! 

Nice to hear!!!  That is awesome...

There are some useful people at the GC for sure...

There are more people that are a complete waste here...  Most, if not all, are probably on our ignore lists...

[MikeMatt]

22 hours ago, posty said:

Nice to hear!!!  That is awesome...

There are some useful people at the GC for sure...

 

@mmmmm...beer

Fantastic read. I don’t want to say too much or ruin any spoilers. Like I mentioned - was a page turner. Easy read. Easy to follow. I am a fan. Great characters. I can’t say more without risk of ruining anything. 
 

Hope you get the opportunity to actually publish this. 
 

:MoreMarcusBlack: !

[mmmmm...beer]

Awesome glad you dug it brother!

 

Feel free to give your real honest review with no spoilers if you're good with it.

[mmmmm...beer]

On 3/27/2026 at 12:48 PM, posty said:

Nice to hear!!!  That is awesome...

There are some useful people at the GC for sure...

There are more people that are a complete waste here...  Most, if not all, are probably on our ignore lists...

Okay Posty here we go...

My agent submitted it 3 weeks ago to acquiring editors at publishing houses (sent the manuscript and a pitch).  We had 7 editors for legit publishing houses acknowledge receipt (industry speak for we liked the premise.  We'll read it.)

Early last week like Tuesday I got an email from my agent.  She will usually email me a couple times a week saying no news or whatever.  So on Tuesday I get a no news emaiI.

Curious as to how this all goes I asked asked her.  So...  how long before we start hearing yeah or nay?

She said 4-10 months usually.

Oh... Alrighty... I guess I'll keep writing other stuff.  

I wasn't disappointed really, just way longer than I thought.  Like glacial...

But then... On Friday I get an email.

Well this is exciting and quick she said.

And forwarded me an email from one of the editors saying,

"She was looking for something just like this.  It's right up her alley.  She's sending it to some other folks for a 2nd read. 

Ask Mmmmm...beer is he sees this as a series, or if he wants to write another thriller in this same vein."

NOT an offer quite yet... But definate interest!  And she only had it 16 days!

So... I said I didn't know at first... It was a bit of a slog writing it.  There was some internal arc stuff for the main character that was hard to write.  But .. if they wanted to back a truck up with money I would sure figure it out!

Haha ..

Friday night I really sat down and started brainstorming.  Do I want to write this guy again... And came up with a ten book arc... Some good stories and a way forward with the main guy.

I wrote her on Saturday telling her I'm good to go for a series if they want.

My agent doesn't correspond on the weekends so I'm sure I'll hear back from her tomorrow but yeah!  Exciting stuff boys!

Maybe...

[The PosterFormerlyKnownAs]

Congrats @mmmmm...beer!  So great to hear all this.  Fingers crossed the good news keeps coming!

[posty]

@mmmmm...beer:

Thanks for the update and hoping for the best...  Wow, 4-10 months...  Man, if one wanted to be an author full-time and is just starting out, that would be extremely stressful...

[mmmmm...beer]

6 hours ago, posty said:

@mmmmm...beer:

Thanks for the update and hoping for the best...  Wow, 4-10 months...  Man, if one wanted to be an author full-time and is just starting out, that would be extremely stressful...

The waiting. This is probably the part I have the hardest time with.

The writing seems to go fairly fast. I'm writing from memory really, and thus far haven't had to research much.

But traditional publishing moves glacially. Think seasons, rather than days.

When I sent out my query letters and sample pages to agents, that process took several weeks in itself.

Now, my agent has the manuscript out on submission to acquiring editors at publishing houses. We're still very early in the process, two to three weeks in. This part can take months as well. If everything goes right the first round.

If there are no offers, we submit a second round, or however many rounds are needed.
It's an interesting process. But it definitely tests the patience.

There's also this inner ego that plays into the whole thing. Like, if they reject your manuscript, they're rejecting you as a person, because what you write comes from that inner place.

Learning to separate those two things is an entirely different matter, though I've had quite a bit of practice over the years with warrants, briefings, and case reports.  Judges can be very judgey.  

It's all good.

I'm not just sitting on my hands though. I'm neck deep in the next project! An investigative procedural set on reservations. I think you all are going to dig it.

Thanks for hanging out with me on my journey.

[posty]

8 minutes ago, mmmmm...beer said:

Thanks for hanging out with me on my journey.

There have been times in the past that I really wanted to try to write a short story (I don't think I have the patience for a novella/novel), but I usually can't come up with something that sounds interesting or fun to write...

[mmmmm...beer]

4 hours ago, posty said:

There have been times in the past that I really wanted to try to write a short story (I don't think I have the patience for a novella/novel), but I usually can't come up with something that sounds interesting or fun to write...

All I can tell you man is that late last November I got done reading a book.  I thought the ending sorta sucked.  So I thought, wonder if I could do better.

Sat down... And came up with a story and started writing.  I stopped myself about halfway through chapter one because I figured out, wtf am I doing?  I'm not a free flow guy.  I'm horrible at this on the fly.  I'm an ops plan executor.  I plan shiz out.

So that's what I want back and did.  I planned out a spine.  Here's sort of the idea to start.  Here's sort of the ending I want to get to.   Maybe this could happen in the middle... Oh and this part could be cool too.

Created a sort of skeleton outline. 

Googled... How a triller works... The beats of it.  How it flows.  How a story arc works in that world.

Then I went and added those beats to my skeleton.  How each part would fit.

How long should it be?  How many chapters for each "beat" of that arc?

Then I started writing the chapters to those beats.

About half way through I figured out a cool prologue.  Went back for it.

Absolutely 2/3rds of the way through I thought oh shiz... This would be a cooler ending.

As I was writing I changed all sorts of stuff.  But I had an overall plan and beats.

Now working on a separate different book and started with the outlined beats.  So much easier. 

If I was going to give any advice I would say, start there.  Get a game plan together.  Figure out what genre you want to be in.

There are templates for storyline out there.  For each genre.

Also... A HUGE thing I learned.  So many people worry about the Grammer, syntax, structure, but a I've found, if your story is good.  Nobody gives a shiz.  That's what editors get paid to do.

I wrote stuff I know about so I don't need to research it.  It's a bit of a cheat, but we all have a ton of life experience.

You a realtor?  Write about a guy who's a spy who's cover is a realtor.

Shoot I dunno... I happen to have had a career that was interesting.

Just start I'd say ..

[posty]

Thanks for the information…. I might give it a shot if something inspires me…

[mmmmm...beer]

I have a zoom meeting scheduled with my agent and a publishing house senior editor on Monday.   

"Thanks for getting back to me! I'd love to set up a time to chat with you and Mmmmm...beer about this project. Can you let me know what availability you have next week?"

Exciting!

[MikeMatt]

4 hours ago, mmmmm...beer said:

 

Exciting!

Giddy Up !

 

Good Luck.  

[mmmmm...beer]

Had my first meeting with an editor today. First one ever.
I went in not knowing exactly what to expect from the process. What I got was a genuine two way conversation. An editor who had clearly done her homework and cared about the manuscript. Real editorial notes that made sense. Real questions about where the series goes. Real questions about who I am and how I work.
I am new to this specific lane. 27 years in federal law enforcement did not exactly come with a publishing manual. But it turns out the skills that matter in any professional setting translate pretty well here too. Listen. Collaborate. Know your material. Be straight with people.
We talked about the book. We talked about the series. We talked about what working together would look like. We talked about media and panels and what I bring to that side of it.
I walked in as a retired federal law enforcement officer who wrote a novel. I walked out feeling like maybe I belong in this conversation after all.
Nothing is decided yet. There is still a process to run. But today felt like the right kind of progress with the right kind of people.
Cautiously optimistic. More when there is more to share.

[posty]

[Fnord]

13 hours ago, mmmmm...beer said:

Had my first meeting with an editor today. First one ever.
I went in not knowing exactly what to expect from the process. What I got was a genuine two way conversation. An editor who had clearly done her homework and cared about the manuscript. Real editorial notes that made sense. Real questions about where the series goes. Real questions about who I am and how I work.
I am new to this specific lane. 27 years in federal law enforcement did not exactly come with a publishing manual. But it turns out the skills that matter in any professional setting translate pretty well here too. Listen. Collaborate. Know your material. Be straight with people.
We talked about the book. We talked about the series. We talked about what working together would look like. We talked about media and panels and what I bring to that side of it.
I walked in as a retired federal law enforcement officer who wrote a novel. I walked out feeling like maybe I belong in this conversation after all.
Nothing is decided yet. There is still a process to run. But today felt like the right kind of progress with the right kind of people.
Cautiously optimistic. More when there is more to share.

Damn man. Good for you! 

As someone that wanted to be a writer for a long time but never had... whatever it is that gets you through the process of writing an entire novel, I'll admit to a bit of jealousy as well. Luckily, I'm well versed at watching dreams die, LOL.

Pulling for you and eagerly awaiting the next update!

[Alias Detective]

14 hours ago, mmmmm...beer said:

Had my first meeting with an editor today. First one ever.
I went in not knowing exactly what to expect from the process. What I got was a genuine two way conversation. An editor who had clearly done her homework and cared about the manuscript. Real editorial notes that made sense. Real questions about where the series goes. Real questions about who I am and how I work.
I am new to this specific lane. 27 years in federal law enforcement did not exactly come with a publishing manual. But it turns out the skills that matter in any professional setting translate pretty well here too. Listen. Collaborate. Know your material. Be straight with people.
We talked about the book. We talked about the series. We talked about what working together would look like. We talked about media and panels and what I bring to that side of it.
I walked in as a retired federal law enforcement officer who wrote a novel. I walked out feeling like maybe I belong in this conversation after all.
Nothing is decided yet. There is still a process to run. But today felt like the right kind of progress with the right kind of people.
Cautiously optimistic. More when there is more to share.

Have you used any AI in writing this?  

[mmmmm...beer]

4 hours ago, Alias Detective said:

Have you used any AI in writing this?  

Good question.  No.  On purpose.  There's a pretty big thing about AI vs Non-AI right now.  The lit world is huge on no AI, which I can understand.

That being said I've been reading trying to figure out what that means?  Grammerly sure seems like AI to me anymore, or at least their add on you can buy is for sure.  Updated MS Word etc have options for it.  I think it's something that will go away as far as the adversion to it.  But for now... You have to keep it at arms length.

[mmmmm...beer]

5 hours ago, Fnord said:

Damn man. Good for you! 

As someone that wanted to be a writer for a long time but never had... whatever it is that gets you through the process of writing an entire novel, I'll admit to a bit of jealousy as well. Luckily, I'm well versed at watching dreams die, LOL. 

Pulling for you and eagerly awaiting the next update!

I had the story kicking around in my head for awhile.  It's essentially writing about what I'm the SME in, Indian Country law enforcement, so it wasn't overly hard to write.

But I have a much better appreciation of people that can crank them out.

[mmmmm...beer]

Some forward movement this week. The prospective publisher from the earlier meeting asked for pitches for two additional books in the series and two standalone ideas.

Feels like it’s building, but nothing guaranteed.

Great process so far. Learning a lot and having fun doing it.

[kutulu]

you gotta slide some kinda geek bored reference in if you get a series or multi book dealio

[mmmmm...beer]

Welp... I got an offer for a two book deal.  Prettystoked!  I still can't believe anyone would want to read some words I made up.  Surreal.

So now, my agent sends a nudge to the other six publishers that acknowledged receipt.  We give them two weeks to step aside or jump ino the fray.  Or ignore us totally is a other option.

But... If nothing else!  Myintial book and a followup to it are greenlit! 

[posty]

11 hours ago, mmmmm...beer said:

Welp... I got an offer for a two book deal.  Prettystoked!  I still can't believe anyone would want to read some words I made up.  Surreal.

So now, my agent sends a nudge to the other six publishers that acknowledged receipt.  We give them two weeks to step aside or jump ino the fray.  Or ignore us totally is a other option.

But... If nothing else!  Myintial book and a followup to it are greenlit! 

Dude!!!

Congratulations!!!

Is this two additional books from the first one that you wrote or just one more...

Be funny to hear, "The #1 book on the best seller list, {{name of book}} by new author mmmmm...beer".  So mmmmm...beer, first off, how are things...

[mmmmm...beer]

12 minutes ago, posty said:

Dude!!!

Congratulations!!!

Is this two additional books from the first one that you wrote or just one more...

Be funny to hear, "The #1 book on the best seller list, {{name of book}} by new author mmmmm...beer".  So mmmmm...beer, first off, how are things...

So it's the original book + one follow up for now.  If those two do well, you do a other contract.  For higher terms usually.

Yeah right?!  I feel a I'll do well on podcasts and interviews.  I'm a blabby mcblabberson.

[posty]

Just now, mmmmm...beer said:

So it's the original book + one follow up for now.  I'd those two so well, you do a other contract.  For higher terms usually.

Yeah right?!  I feel a I'll do well on podcasts and interviews.  I'm a blabby mcblabberson.

Good luck on your new adventure...

[NorthernVike]

Is the movie version out on VHS yet?  j/k  Congrats.