Anita
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
I love your books & have recommended them to several friends. They move me to tears as they are so beautifully written. I write too, have had short stories and poetry published, & would love to know how you managed to get your first book published. Did you have to submit to many publishers? Did you get initial rejections? I am aware how difficult it is to get published & hope to have my first novel published soon.
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Anita!
Thank you for reading and recommending my books to your friends!
In terms of getting published, I spent a lot of time researching the young adult publishing business. I attended SCBWI conferences (www.scbwi.org) and other writing conferences and listened to agents speak about their process and their agencies. I chose one agent to query and researched that agent very heavily so I could create an appropriate, targeted query letter. The agent was interested in my novel and asked me to revise. I did several extensive revisions before the agent would agree to represent me and submit the book to publishers. We then chose a dozen publishers to submit to. They all passed. We submitted to another dozen publishers. After nearly a year, and 15 rejections, I finally received an offer.
For me the process required a lot of patience. But please don't let that discourage you! You can do it!!
Sending best wishes from writer to another, Anita!
Thank you for reading and recommending my books to your friends!
In terms of getting published, I spent a lot of time researching the young adult publishing business. I attended SCBWI conferences (www.scbwi.org) and other writing conferences and listened to agents speak about their process and their agencies. I chose one agent to query and researched that agent very heavily so I could create an appropriate, targeted query letter. The agent was interested in my novel and asked me to revise. I did several extensive revisions before the agent would agree to represent me and submit the book to publishers. We then chose a dozen publishers to submit to. They all passed. We submitted to another dozen publishers. After nearly a year, and 15 rejections, I finally received an offer.
For me the process required a lot of patience. But please don't let that discourage you! You can do it!!
Sending best wishes from writer to another, Anita!
More Answered Questions
Nicole
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hey, Ruta! I'm from Lebanon and have read Between Shades of Gray. It's amazing, I love historical fiction especially those of WWII. So my question is: were you always interested in history and how did it influence your writing career exactly? If you wanted to write other historical novels, which different period would you choose? Why?
Rhuta D
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! I discovered you when I was searching for an author who shares my name. I ordered and devoured 'between shades of gray' - I loved it. I currently work in a law firm, but I dream of someday writing something wonderful for someone else to discover. Would you have any advice for an aspiring writer? I'd also love to know what your name means. Mine (Rhuta) has its origins in Sanskrit and means 'eternal truth'.
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