I Won! Author Tomi Adeyemi Sponsored a Reader Report for My Novel!

The true test of faith is the ability to sustain it under pressure. It is easy to believe in prosperity and the fulfillment of dreams when everything is in alignment, but after receiving lesson after lesson and no after no I started to doubt if writing was really for me. If you’ve been keeping up with my journey you know that I have written two novels. The first book I shelved and the second novel I am currently querying to receive representation by a literary agent. As of February I had 50+ rejection letters. No matter how many interviews I read from authors who received hundreds of no’s, it still didn’t lessen the blow. 

Last year I was working in retail and I said a prayer to God. I asked him if I was meant to be a writer please send me a sign. Within a week span I helped style a NYU creative writing professor, an editor at a book subscription company, and even author titan Marlon James stopped through the store and gave me a list of agents to submit my novel. I know, I’d think I was lying too if I hadn’t lived it. That’s the thing about God, he really does provide exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or think. Earlier this year I found myself laid off and frustrated. I prayed the prayer again and sat back and waited. I wanted to see what God was going to do because there was no store for anyone to just stop by. 

Early February I was scrolling through Twitter where I have curated my timeline to consist of literary agents and authors I saw the following tweet: 

I followed the guidelines and went on about my day. About ten days later I opened the app and received this DM:

I couldn’t stop screaming! Tomi Adeyemi’s novel Children of Blood and Bone has been on the New York Times Best-Sellers list consistently for over a year. Entertainment Weekly wrote a feature story proclaiming her as the new J.K. Rowling. Critics describe her novel as a cross between Harry Potter meets Black Panther with magic. FOX had also announced they were making her first book into a film, and there she was, in my DMs. I knew that I had written and edited my novel to the best of my ability. Months before I had researched tons of editors to give me feedback, but their rates ranged anywhere from four thousand dollars & up. There was no way I could afford it. 

Two days later Tomi DM’d me again, this time with a group chat with the editor. She simply told her I was the contest winner, the editor would provide me with all the details, and for the editor to send her the invoice once we were done. I cried and prayed out of disbelief. Once again, God had blown my mind. Roughly two weeks ago I received a seven page edit letter with critiques of my novel. The editor was so thorough and encouraging. She gave it to me straight and I couldn’t be happier. I have a lot of work to do and so many things to learn but I am excited. Like, over-the-moon I can barely sleep excited.

Tomi is an angel God sent to reassure me that he sees all the hard work and endless hours of reading and studying. I know this doesn’t mean the road will be easy, but the doubt has subsided. I will no longer flirt with the idea of an alternative destiny. I really can’t wait for you guys to read this novel one day. This time around I’m not rushing anything and taking my time to learn as much as possible. Good things really do take time, and great things take faith and patience. If you’re thinking about quitting, please don’t. God sees you. 

I will keep you guys updated, but until then, just know I’m absorbing life and bringing my best self to the page. 

Stay encouraged.

I read Tomi’s novel last summer and couldn’t put it down! 

Buy Children of Blood and Bone here

Learn more about author Tomi Adeyemi here