Aug. 2, 2025 - The "BLURB" Conundrum

Today has been filled with challenges. I worked on the title page for my children’s picture book for hours. In the end, I wasn’t satisfied with the results. I felt that in one area the colours were too dark. Fortunately, a friend made a suggestion that may solve the problem. It would be better than abandoning this piece and starting over, so I’ll give it a try. Later, while looking at the sketch of Phildor, the dragon cub, I realized that I’d forgotten to give him wings! So, back to the drawing board – literally!

In terms of the writing, my online friends have been wonderfully supportive. I’m still struggling with the Blurb. To be perfectly honest, I've written so many Blurbs and Synopsis I've lost count. I have an entire folder dedicated to various versions of both. Recently, one very kind beta reader told me very candidly, that my blurb sucks! No wonder I've been getting so many rejection letters from agents! However, after several more YouTube videos on the topic, I feel as though I’ve nailed it. Whew! Nice to finally have that behind me (I hope!). Now I can start sending out some query letters again.

Here is the newest version: It's 3 small paragraphs, less than 200 words (177)

"Elizabeth Porter is beginning to chafe at her family’s smothering love for the baby of the household. Everything changes when a distant British relative dies.

Sparks fly when Thomas Howard, an extremely attractive lawyer, introduces Elizabeth to her inheritance in England. She becomes the heir to a property with ancient magical secrets and a triquetra pendant which is the key to time travel in the Celtic Multiverse. Using this medallion, Elizabeth decides to try to help Tamsyn, a druid healer living in the Bronze Age.

Together these young women must unravel the mystery hidden deep in Tamsyn’s nightmares surrounding the massacre of local villagers, including Tamsyn’s mother and siblings.  During their search, the druid, Briac, falls hopelessly in love with the healer and lends his support as they race to solve the murders. Their lives are in danger when the pendant goes missing and the assassins begin to close in. Time is running out as they try to bring justice to the victims and get Elizabeth back to her own time period safely before it’s too late."

I’ve been listening to some YA romantasy audio books to get a feeling for the genre from that market perspective while I work on my illustrations. My book seems to be a much faster paced story line. It’s also much more complex in terms of plot. I’ll still try to pitch it in the YA and NA genres for now and see what kind of feedback I get. I’ve created a large list of potential agents and will begin to do the research into their particular “wish lists” and rank them before I begin the query process. Who knew publishing a book could be so complicated!?

I think I’ll take a break tomorrow. One of my dogs isn’t feeling well and I was up with her often in the night. Think I’ll sleep! I hope all’s well in your world…

Best wishes always...

P.S. Welcome to my blog! My intention is to keep followers up to date on my latest writing adventures. My current focus is on fiction genres including children's picture books and YA/NA historical romanticises. I'm also preparing to write an epic fantasy for the young adult audience. As a debut author I face all the challenges of breaking into the traditional publishing market. I need your interest and support to do so! Please consider following me here and on other social media platforms, which you can access on the Home page of my author's web site. I'll be adding more in the weeks to come so please check back from time to time. Thank you so much, in advance, for following my blog. You are potentially helping me enrich the lives of future readers. I just need this break to attract my first agent representation! Your efforts will make all the difference! Thank you once again.