writing – 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

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

Writer Life

While we are still quite a ways off from our cruising dreams, I feel like the next 18 months are going to fly by. We need to start thinking ahead and planning for the future, especially for our financial future. Active duty military life has been a safety net for us, but soon we will be out in the “real” world. So guess what I did? I got a job.

Well, two jobs really. Freelance writing and contracting gigs that I can do from the boat while W is asleep. I am a content creator for an athleisure wear company called DYI and write things like mailers, product description, and ad campaigns. My other job is working for a company called Elite Editing. I’m just doing some of their blog posts right now, but eventually will be editing manuscripts for people looking to self-publish novels and writing the accompanying blurbs/taglines.

Don’t get me wrong, writing novels is still my #1 passion. Actually, I couldn’t have gotten these other jobs without having “Traditionally published author” on my resume. The opportunities came up thanks to some wonderful friends who thought I would be a good fit and encouraged me to apply. Plus, the hours and schedule flexibility were just too good to pass up! As W gets older and more independent, I can increase my workload. Right now, it is great to squirrel away extra money for our cruising kitty.

I feel like I finally have my feet under me with regards to parenting and boat life, and it is time to slowly ease back into the workforce. My book, Cloaked, is still going strong and I have another book on the way (more to come on that soon!). Between writing novels, book promo, two freelance jobs, keeping up this blog, and raising a baby, my brain is always going 100 mph!

Writing, writing, writing, all day long. I never thought I would be able to write for a living, and now that dream is coming true. We will see how it all balances out, especially with the craziness of Marine Corps schedules, but for now I’m staying on top of it all. If anyone has any organizational tips, send them my way!

Love,

Taylor, Conor, and W

Deck the Halls (or should I say boat?)

I may have been a bit over-eager this year for the holiday season. These decorations were put up right after Thanksgiving:

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For all of our talk about minimalism, it seems a bit excessive, but NO RAGRETS.

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Plus, when your space is tiny, $30 worth of decorations goes a long way! Conor has been gone for a lot of holidays because of deployments, so I try to make December extra-special when he is home for it. We have a lot to celebrate this year, even though we can’t go home to Washington for Christmas.

I don’t think there is anything cozier than rocking gently on our decorated boat, while it is 40 degrees outside, drinking coffee, and listening to music. It gave me the motivation this week to finish the draft of my book! It’s finally complete at 91,500 words.

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and enjoyed time with loved ones. Sorry for the super quick post this week, but stay tuned for an update about our v-berth soon!

Love,

Taylor and Conor