Literary agent – Cannons to Cruising

Welcome back!

My blog fell by the wayside this summer. June and July were filled with revisions for WHAT I WOULD DO FOR YOU, then I solo-parented for three weeks while Conor blew some stuff up. August was spent trying to soak in as much PNW sunshine as we could before school started. Blake Island, blackberry picking, trips to Seattle, art fair in Anacortes, out-of-town visitors, waterfall hikes, and ‘Feral Friday’ playdates. We are still a few weeks off from the true darkness, but I already miss my 9pm sunsets! There might be a few more dinghy trips left in the season, but I can feel the window closing until next spring. This changing of the seasons has thrust me back to reality and my to-do list, including an update here.

It’s hard though, because I don’t know what I should post and what I need to keep on the down low! This is a new stage in my writing career, and I’m trying to figure out the rules. What details can I reveal about the stages of my projects? I can tell you that my agent and I are happy with the final version of WIWDFY. We will be discussing the necessary revisions for GYBE, my YA sailing thriller, very soon. I also brainstormed a third project this summer that is a YA Irish folklore-inspired fantasy, and I’m waiting for feedback on the proposal to see if it’s a project worth continuing.

Books aside, I have tried to be brave and submit some short pieces of writing lately. Keep an eye out for a reflection piece I wrote for War Horse magazine coming out in October. I also just found out that a micro-fiction story I wrote for 101 Words was accepted this week! When I first started pitching, I was always so in awe of the other writers who had a lengthy bio. I am a writer with a bio now!

Speaking of updating my bio, I will soon pass along the Pen Parentis Fellowship crown to the 2025 winner who was chosen earlier this month! I can’t believe it’s been a year. SO much has changed, and I am incredibly thankful for my professional growth between then and now, and the people that have impacted and helped along the way. Hopefully by this time next year, I’ll be holding my hardcover book in my hands (and bawling my eyes out).

Love,

Taylor

In Which I Disappear to Revise Two Books in Two Months

Sat down to write this blog post today, and I realized I missed posting in both February AND March. Whoops! I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without an update! Trust that all of my spare time has been spent writing, just not on here.

February—I focused on making the revisions my agent wanted to see before the book goes on submission. It was hugely challenging but incredibly satisfying. Their suggestions definitely improved the story, but it was my first time doing an overhaul like that and it felt like my brain had been wrung out like a washcloth by the end. Hence, no February post. Fingers crossed they like the changes and that I nailed it on round one, but I’m also aware we might have to go back and forth a few times. I’m new at this! Trying to be okay with the fact that I might not get a gold star right away. I emailed the manuscript in early March and jumped straight into editing my NaNoWriMo book while I waited for them to get back to me.

March—Cleaned up my 77,000-word YA contemporary suspense sailing novel and got it in good enough shape to send to beta readers. I had a blast with this book, and I’m dying to get reader feedback regarding all the red herrings, who-dun-it theories, and shocking moments. It took about three weeks to edit, and I just sent it off to friends yesterday. For the first time in eight weeks, I have…nothing on the docket?!

Except the lingering guilt that I’ve neglected my blog! After not posting for two months, you would think that I would have something more exciting than this to share, but it’s mostly been me at my keyboard, mumbling to myself. Oh wait, I guess you could count my dermatitis flare up as something out of the ordinary, but nobody wants to see me with diaper rash cream on my face (If you have any tips regarding this, PLEASE share I am desperate it’s been weeks and it isn’t clearing up).

You CAN be on the lookout for boat updates soon, though. Yep, we lasted 2 whole years without a boat before we caved and bought a DINGHY! It’s so cute and has a little electric motor so we can buzz around Puget Sound this summer. Once the registration goes through, we’ll be taking her out as much as weather allows. The kids are beside themselves. Taking name suggestions at this time. So far the contenders are:

Never Again
Once More With Feeling
Fooky Fooky (my son cannot say his ‘s’, so anything spooky he declares ‘fooky’)
Next Chapter
Scout (my daughter SWEARS this won’t be confusing)

Love,

Taylor

How I Got My Agent

I’ve been waiting a decade to make this post. I HAVE A LITERARY AGENT! I am loudly and proudly screaming it from the rooftops—Taylor Hobbs is represented by Michaela Whatnall of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Agency.

It all started with a cold query in early October. I found Michaela’s Manuscript Wish List page and hoped my book, What I Would Do for You, might be a good fit. The bio stated that they have a soft spot for heartfelt contemporary YA fiction, sibling stories, and diverse voices. However, QueryTracker (the site that everyone uses to submit queries/track data) did not help my confidence—this agent requests additional material from about 2% of their queries. My sister was like, “Oh, the Harvard of literary agents.” Thanks, Calley. I figured I’d be part of the 98% rejection stats, but I might as well start the query process of my 7th book with getting rejections from my dream agents, right?

To my shock, Michaela requested the full manuscript ten days later. My thought was, “At least I know my pitch/concept is working!” Not, “They’re going to love it and sign me!” I’ve had many full requests across all my manuscripts over the years. It is a great confidence boost but I know it ultimately doesn’t go anywhere. Honestly, I was just flattered to make it past the form rejection.

I submitted the manuscript and tried not to get my hopes up. I joked with my Pen Parentis writers accountability group that I was going to manifest an agent in 2024. Well, everyone manifested their butts off because ten days into the new year I got the email that Michaela wanted to set up a phone call and chat about the book.

We talked for an hour and half! I knew within ten minutes that Mike was the right agent for me and the book. They get the heart and soul of it, and we just meshed on all the revision ideas. It was like talking to an old friend. I know they are going to push me to be the best writer I can be, for What I Would Do For You and my future books. I am thrilled about this partnership and can’t wait for what’s to come in my career!

I have so much gratitude toward everyone who has been cheering me on all these years. Thank you for continuing to believe in me and talking me off the ledge of self-doubt countless times. Thank you for reading truly terrible first drafts and listening to half-formed plot rambles. Thank you for seeing the value in art and stories and helping me hold onto myself. You know who you are. I love you guys.

Love,

Taylor

Book Contract

Ahem! I have an announcement, and it is one that doesn’t have to do with sailing, living aboard, or military life (shocking!).

For those of you that don’t know, I have been trying to become a traditionally published author for the past three years. So far, I’ve written four books and been rejected countless times by literary agents and publishing houses alike (I should go through my email and get an exact number, it is in the hundreds). My stubbornness finally paid off, though.

Last week I signed a book contract with romance publisher The Wild Rose Press for my third novel, Cloaked. I am so excited to work with an incredible team of editors and marketing staff to realize this dream. More details to come, but for now I’m just pinching myself to make sure it is all real. Sending love and thanks to all who have supported me through this, and told me never to give up. The many hours spent banging my head against the keyboard turned out to be worth it.

Love,

Taylor, Conor, and Baby W

I took this pic on the day I finished the rough draft of *Cloaked* way back in California (September, 2016). Yes, I ate that donut to celebrate.