Clarissa Marques is querying

The 'Hennies' were more than friends – they were family. But by graduation, Cleo was dead. Ethan was in prison. And Jordan was cut off. But after Ethan is exonerated and Cleo’s case reopened, what will Jordan do when the other Hennies become the prime suspects? #questpit #Q #MY

@Shweta_Kistan Hooray! Good luck!

Guess who's officially on SUBMISSION to editors😈

@KateAltonWrites Fingers crossed!!

First round of fresh queries is in. Got a few to send tomorrow for a different manuscript. And now, we wait…

@KateAltonWrites True! And I really did enjoy writing this book! I still wish other people got to read it as well, of course, but sometimes the creative process is enough ❤️

@byCMarques For sure. Well - no writing is wasted. At the very least you hones your craft?!?

I think I might have to come to terms with the fact that my latest mystery novel has become outdated for the current market (I started drafting in 2023.) I hate having to shelf another project! 🥲 #writingcommunity #amquerying

@KateAltonWrites Hmm I guess I could but I wonder if YouTube and vlogging aren't getting "outdated" in books as well? Kind of like a true crime podcast element? but I also can't do something super relevant right now at the risk of it also becoming outdated later 😅 it's really tricky!

@byCMarques Could you do it as a YouTube or true crime vlog gone awry? Or rewrite as a historical piece from the 90s?

@KateAltonWrites I thought about it, but I think what's outdated is a big part of the concept, which is a a true crime docuseries crew filming the events as they unfold, so I don't even know how I'd be able to rewrite that? It's very intrinsically part of the plot

@byCMarques Can you rewrite? Sometimes a pass to update the writing can work wonders! 🤩

@KateAltonWrites I totally feel you! It's hard to stay optimistic when publishing feels tougher than ever, it feels like yelling into the void. Not much to do except keep at it, but it's still hard!

@byCMarques This is exactly it! I’m not after anything huge, but writing stories that don’t get read feels like the job is only ever half finished. Ah bah. One day the “so close” will be “got it” I’m sure, and then I can start worrying about sales and all that nonsense!!

Well - the publishing contract I’ve been waiting for for two years has fallen through. 😭 Got a few agents I’m gonna query for my MG/Teen Cosy Horror Fantasy, but if I don’t get any bites then this manuscript is on its way to the trunk. Le sigh. 😞 #amquerying #writingcommunity

@AbigailLissit Me too! Let's stick together in the query trenches! 😊

@byCMarques It does seem like a lot has changed! Last I queried was 2022 so around the same time. We’ve got this, hoping we both find the perfect agent soon!

I wish people talked more about querying again after parting ways with your agent. Having to start over feels both daunting and exciting. Hoping to find the perfect champion for my cozy fantasy heist! #querying #writingcommunity

@brantleywrites *My brain, whispering* "still counts as writing"

@pippawestauthor I think I'm on the same boat? Let's talk if you're interested in exchanging some ideas!

I've spent my 20s trying to get an agent and trad published and now I don't even know what my dream is and that's both scary and exciting.

@RubyMTemple Hitting a little too close to home, Ruby!

being an author in 2026 sometimes feels like a black mirror episode. You write, you revise, you edit, you get obsessed with writing yay but also you have to figure out marketing, selling your brand, growing a platform in five different places. I just wanted to tell a story lol

@bluewmist Okay but are you sure

ages 21 to 35 can be tough: you’re dealing with your parents getting older, fewer friends, career stress and self-doubt. stay strong. you’ve got this

So, a lot of people ask me why I buy so many books. The truth is, I have a genetic disorder where my body doesn’t produce enough books of its own, so I have to supplement.

It’s funny how sometimes you buy a book, then read it in two days, and sometimes you buy a book and it lives on your bookshelf for 12 years.

@saraduranauthor This is too accurate

This is how it feels to pursue trad pub when you already have an unrelated day job

@fran_the_writer Brazil did this too! But we just arrested the guy, so there's hope for you, fingers 🤞🏻

So... I want everyone to know that yesterday, 60% of Chile elected an embarrassing fascist, homophobic son of a n*zi as president. So consider me stateless for the next four years because that guy does not represent me. Thanks for your attention.

I figured out the perfect book title for my #WIP!! #amwriting

@harrowgriddle Waiting for my library hold!

i started this the other day and omg it’s so excellent