Overcoming the Challenges of Securing a Literary Agent

 

The quest to secure a literary agent often feels akin to a mythological challenge: a near-impossible task of trying to bottle lightning while simultaneously navigating a densely packed, competitive marketplace. My personal journey with The Shadow Realm Chronicles has been a crucible forged in a potent mix of unwavering persistence and the quiet, persistent sting of hundreds of rejections. I have dedicated countless, solitary hours to meticulously researching agencies, poring over their submission guidelines, and refining my pitch to ensure my unique paranormal world aligns perfectly with their stated interests and visions. Despite this exhaustive preparation, the process remains an arduous, frustratingly slow uphill battle. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that I am attempting to find a champion for a story—a complete series, in fact—that has already been available to readers, a scenario most debut authors never have to face.The Unique Hurdles of an Already-Published Work

One of the most significant and perplexing hurdles has been the sheer complexity of querying an already-published work. Navigating the aftermath of my Amazon KDP account termination, an event that abruptly halted the series' indie momentum, has added a substantial, often debilitating layer of difficulty. It's no longer just about the undeniable quality of the prose, the imaginative world-building, or the emotional depth of the protagonist Maeve's journey; it is fundamentally about proving the series' inherent marketability and demonstrating its enduring commercial appeal to a skeptical, risk-averse industry. This requirement demands candidly admitting that strategic, large-scale book marketing is not, and has never been, my natural or strongest suit.

I find myself trapped in a difficult, cyclical paradox: I desperately want to achieve meaningful sales goals and secure a publishing contract so that I can finally transition to focusing wholeheartedly on being a stay-at-home mother and grandmother. Yet, that very goal is obstructed by my simultaneous, overwhelming feeling of being a complete fish out of water in the essential world of platform-building, complex social media engagement, and advanced search engine optimization (SEO).The Unseen Balancing Act

Despite the mounting frustration fueled by silence, boilerplate non-responses, and the hyper-specific, grueling search for an agent who possesses a genuine understanding of both the dark urban fantasy and the niche Christian publishing markets, I refuse to yield. I continue to push forward, driven by the core belief in the story.

This pursuit is balanced precariously against the demanding realities of my primary life: balancing the full-time demands of teaching 7th-grade math—a job that requires energy, focus, and patience—and the even greater demands of raising a large, active family. This means that my writing time, the precious moments dedicated to creativity and the business of being an author, is not merely time; it is sacred, hard-won, and fiercely protected. Each query letter that I meticulously craft and send out is more than just a document; it represents a profound hope for a true partner. I am seeking an advocate who can look past the complicated logistics of the book's history, who can ignore the immediate commercial obstacles, and who will ultimately fall deeply, unequivocally in love with the story itself. This agent would be the essential bridge, helping me to span the intimidating gap between simply being a writer who creates imaginative worlds and an author who is effectively, widely, and successfully read.The Marketing Conundrum

My initial strategic decision was to prioritize and intensively focus on mastering the art of marketing, as I have confidence in my abilities regarding most of the other essential elements of indie authorship—the writing, editing, and production processes. I firmly believed that finding a dedicated agent, someone who would passionately champion this complex project and series for me, would be the necessary catalyst for success. The logic was simple and compelling: if the book were to be successfully acquired by a traditional publisher, their dedicated and experienced marketing department would take over the burden of promotion. This belief stems from the undeniable fact that marketing remains, by far, the most challenging, elusive, and disheartening aspect of the entire writing career for me. Even after years in the trenches, I am still overwhelmingly at a loss with the majority of its mechanics and strategies.

More Works by Nancy Ann Creed

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The Shadow Realm Chronicles: Maeve

 

Many years ago, a creeping, insidious darkness tore apart the very fabric of existence, fracturing the delicate peace between the realms. This cataclysmic event was later known simply as the Great War. It was a conflict of staggering magnitude, a blight that touched every single world and every realm within them. The air was thick with the stench of iron and ozone, and the ground continually trembled beneath the tramp of massive, opposing armies. Both sides—the defenders of the light and the forces of the shadow—grew their legions with ruthless efficiency, their sole purpose the annihilation of the other. The cost in lives was immeasurable, the casualties so heavy that entire generations were wiped out in the span of a single battle. Yet, out of this horrific bloodshed, new alliances were forged, desperate pacts between unlikely companions united by the common enemy, even as ancient, trusted alliances crumbled into dust.

No world suffered a more profound and tragic transformation than that of the Faye. Their iridescent realm, once a bastion of peace and ethereal beauty, became shadowed by the madness of its king, Julian. Once, the name Julian evoked a memory of a benevolent, loving ruler, whose laughter was as bright as the dawn. Those times were a distant, agonizing memory now. The chronicles written about him in the present day were stained with accounts of unbridled rage, sickening bloodlust, and a searing, relentless hatred. This hatred burned fiercest for his own children, the very offspring who, watching his descent, had grown to love others more than their terrifying father and, ultimately, chose to revolt against his tyrannical rule. His wrath extended to his wife, the queen, who, with a broken heart but fierce resolve, had fled with their children to protect them. And, finally, his hatred encompassed all the realms and worlds that dared to remain outside the terrifying sphere of his domination.

Julian's obsession with his children was not rooted in paternal love, but a deep, primal need for power. Each of them was a living conduit, a master of one of the four foundational elements: the swift, invisible power of wind; the deep, transformative force of water; the immutable, grounding strength of earth; and the volatile, all-consuming heat of fire. With his children's powers under his control, Julian believed he could become an unstoppable, singular deity of destruction.

Despite the deep resentment and profound hatred his children harbored for the monster their father had become, a fragile thread of memory remained. They, and perhaps only their exiled mother, were the sole beings who still remembered the flicker of goodness, the shadow of the man he once was, before the darkness consumed his soul. This lingering memory was both a weakness and a source of fierce strength.

Julian was not alone in his conquest. He commanded the allegiance of two immensely powerful, deeply manipulative figures: Marius, the ancient, cunning leader of the vampire clans, and Jonathan, the formidable, enigmatic ruler of The Shadow Realm. The three men were bound by the Great War's common goal but fueled by separate, treacherous ambitions. They fought side-by-side, yet a profound, palpable distrust permeated their every interaction. Each of these three dark sovereigns was relentlessly scheming against the other two, each certain that he alone deserved to emerge as the ultimate victor, the undisputed ruler of the ravaged worlds.

Jonathan, in particular, was a maestro of machination, his mind a labyrinth of meticulously planned plots. Yet, every single dark design, every intricate web of conspiracy, ultimately revolved around one person: Maeve. Maeve was a Faye, a creature of light and magic, but she lived a deceptively quiet, almost unremarkable life within a peaceful, unassuming world—the one world that, by some miracle or powerful ward, had been entirely protected from the ravenous violence of the Great War. Jonathan cared little for the petty squabbles or grand ambitions of Julian or Marius, so long as their actions did not interfere with his paramount plan involving Maeve. Alas, interference was the very essence of their nature. Jonathan harbored great and terrible plans for Maeve and her unsuspecting family, plans he believed would be the key to his dominance. What he failed to fully grasp, however, were the profound, deeply rooted connections Maeve secretly held to the very heart of Julian's estranged and powerful family.

The Great War had finally, mercifully, reached an uneasy conclusion, the remnants of the conflict smoking across the devastated realms. Yet, the peace was a brittle, temporary illusion. Another, perhaps even more devastating, war was already coiling in the shadows, its terrifying genesis hinging entirely upon the fate of a quiet, lonely mother named Maeve.

https://books2read.com/u/m25Ygd

A Bug's Life (1998) - Just One Ant

Navigating Emotional Pain in Relationships

 

Navigating Emotional Pain in Relationships

I built a bridge of patient, weary years,

A silent span of quiet, chosen words,

The mortar set with dried and vanished tears,

A testament to battles, not rewards.

My hands I offered, strong and open wide,

To hold the weight of your erratic sphere,

To stabilize the chaos you supplied,

Yet only met a storm, a boundless fear.

My effort was but dust upon the breeze,

Against the wind of your profound unease.

When your world tilts and loses all its grace,

The guttural cry of "holy hell" defines

The atmosphere of this abandoned place,

No longer haven, but a field of mines.

A sudden, unexpected fire starts,

Consuming fragile things that stood its test,

Leaving behind a jagged, broken heart.

With cruelty, you push me to the crest,

The edge of sanity, my failing might,

Expecting me to hold while you ignite.

I tried, desperately, to be the ground,

The immovable foundation in the shake.

I absorbed the shocks where steady peace was found,

Withstood the tremors for your troubled sake.

But now the space between us is a void,

A profound, echoing, desolate expanse,

Where kindness's tender seed has been destroyed,

And understanding lost its saving chance.

Now only the choked vine of unyielding rage,

And your consuming need across this stage.

I've studied your map of pain for far too long,

Memorized the texture of each emotional scar,

Anticipating where the wound would throng,

An unwilling cartographer of your war.

But in that process, I forgot my name,

Eclipsed by roles I was compelled to fill:

Your punching bag, the target of your flame,

Your safe harbor, your shore against the chill.

But that era's ended, clarity now bright,

I won't be your refuse, your emotional blight.

The door to this shared history is heavy now,

Weighted by expectation and old despair,

But it is closed, with a final, solemn vow.

The work I poured is starkly laid out there—

Not as a failure of a loving mind,

But as an investment that was misguided, deep.

I failed no duty, I was not unkind,

I simply chose myself, the promises to keep

To me. I recognized the point of no return,

And in that closure, finally, I learn.

More Works by Nancy Ann Creed

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Once Upon a Superhero

 

Stuck Inside? Escape into the World of Make-Believe!

Writer's ever have writer's block. RP is a great way to keep being creative and writing. It has helped me come up with ideas, create characters and really see what they are like. And of course, no writer's block.

The snow might be piling up outside, but the stories are just heating up in our Roleplay & Writing Group. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just looking for a new way to express yourself, there is a seat at the table for you.

Why Join Us?

Creative Escape: Leave the cold behind and enter worlds of your own making.

Build Your Craft: Practice your writing, character development, and world-building with a supportive community.

Make New Friends: Connect with fellow writers and roleplayers who share your passion for storytelling.

Total Freedom: From epic fantasy to cozy modern life, the only limit is your imagination.

What We’re All About

We believe that writing is better together. Our group is a space to collaborate, forge new friendships, and turn "being stuck inside" into an adventure. Let’s turn those blank pages into breathtaking stories!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/onceuponasuperhero

More Works by Nancy Ann Creed

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Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse: A New Thrilling Adventure

 

Stay safe and warm inside today! ❄️ If you're trapped by the snow, it’s the perfect time to dive into a world where the stakes are even higher.

In Zombie, by Nancy Ann Creed, the world changes overnight when a relentless virus sweeps the globe. While the snow piles up outside your window, follow the harrowing journey of Selda, Edmond, Edith, and a group of resilient survivors as they navigate a landscape where the dead have begun to walk.

From the eerie silence of a high-rise apartment to a fortified middle school sanctuary, these survivors must band together to face a nightmare that feels all too real.

Why you’ll love it:

• High-Stakes Survival: Watch a group of students and adults transform a school into a fortress.
• Unforgettable Characters: Experience the apocalypse through the eyes of those who have lost everything but refused to give up hope.
• A New Kind of Terror: These aren't your typical movie monsters—they carry fragments of their former lives and memories.

Bundle up with a blanket, grab a hot drink, and get lost in a story of grit and resilience.

Winter Wonderland at Rivers Peak: A Cozy Guide

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Stay warm out there, Rivers Peak! ❄️✨

The snow is officially on its way, and it looks like it’s going to be a big one! We are expecting a significant accumulation that will likely turn our town into a real-life winter wonderland (or a very cozy fortress) for the next few days. 

As a fairy, I’ll be staying close to the fireplace—my wings definitely aren't fans of the freezing temperatures!  Whether you’re a human, a witch, or just someone who hates shoveling, now is the perfect time to hunker down and get cozy.

If you’re looking for the perfect companion while you’re stuck inside, don't forget you can still order the e-book of The Shadow Realm Chronicles: Maurelle. Dive into the mystery of the Marks family and the secrets of the Faye while the storm passes by outside. 

Stay safe, stay warm, and happy reading! ☕📖

#RiversPeak #WinterStorm #SnowDay2026 #CozyVibes #WinterWonderland #TheShadowRealmChronicles #Maurelle #IndieAuthor #FantasyReads #KindleReads #ParanormalRomance

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