Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft, Uncategorized

Show, Don’t Tell: Unlocking Emotional Depth

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

You’ve probably heard the advice “show, don’t tell” tossed around in every writing workshop, critique group, or how-to book. If you’re a newer writer, that phrase can feel like a riddle.

  • What does it really mean?
  • They sound like the same thing!
  • When is telling actually okay?

Let’s break it down.

What is “Telling”?

Telling is the act of summarizing a scene, emotion, or action. It’s straightforward and often quick. Think of it like giving the audience a news report.

Telling example:

Maria was nervous about the audition. She didn’t think she was good enough.

The reader gets the information, but there’s no emotional immersion. You’re told what Maria feels, but you don’t feel it alongside her.

What is “Showing”?

Showing brings the reader into the scene with sensory details, action, dialogue, and subtext. It lets readers experience the story.

Showing example:

Brenda clutched the script so tightly her knuckles turned white. She mouthed the lines again, her voice barely a whisper. When the casting assistant called her name, her feet stayed rooted to the floor for half a beat longer than necessary.

You aren’t told she’s nervous, you see it in her actions. Showing invites the reader to infer emotion and meaning through behavior and atmosphere.

So… Is Telling Bad?

No! Telling has its place, especially when you need to move through time quickly, summarize minor events, or create narrative distance. It becomes a problem when it replaces emotional depth or undermines key moments.

Here’s the trick:
Use telling for transitions. Use showing for transformation.

Blending the Two

Good storytelling is a balance of showing and telling. Imagine your manuscript like a film. You don’t need to zoom in on every moment in high-def slow motion. When your character’s heart is breaking, let us feel it. When the villain turns, show us the glint in their eye. When your protagonist is growing, show us the stretch marks of that change.

Let’s Compare – A Scene, Told and Shown

Told:

Jesse was heartbroken when Elena left him. He missed her terribly.

Shown:

Jesse stood in the darkened kitchen, the coffee pot still half-full from the morning she left. He picked up her favorite mug and ran his thumb along the chip at the rim. The silence in the apartment buzzed louder than the refrigerator.

The first version is faster, but emotionally distant. The second immerses you in Jesse’s world. It lets you feel the weight of his grief without ever using the word “heartbroken.”

Your Turn – Take Action

The next time you revise a scene, ask yourself:

  • Am I showing emotion, or just labeling it?
  • Can I replace a summary sentence with a sensory detail, action, or snippet of dialogue?
  • Where does telling help with pacing, and where does it steal emotional resonance?

Writing isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about mastering both.

Your challenge:
Take one paragraph from your current draft. Identify where you’re telling. Then rewrite it to show. Feel the difference. See how your story comes alive.

You’ve got this. Your readers don’t want to be told how your character feels, they want to feel it with them.

Final Word

Showing is where your story breathes. Telling is how it moves. Together, they give your narrative rhythm, shape, and soul. Mastering the difference is what turns decent prose into unforgettable fiction.

Now go show us something we can’t forget.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

Show, don’t tell” is great advice—but what does it really mean? And when is telling okay? Learn how to balance both, with examples and a challenge to improve your next scene.

https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/02/12/show-dont-tell-unlocking-emotional-depth/
#ShowDontTell #WritingTips #AmWriting #WritersLife

Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

Vanity Publisher Red Flags You Must Know

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

You finished your manuscript, and now you’re dreaming of holding your book in your hands. You are just starting to explore publishing. Suddenly, a “publisher” offers you a deal. It sounds too good to be true.

Spoiler alert: it probably is.

The Vanity Press Trap:
Vanity presses prey on your vanity, excitement, and lack of experience. They promise to publish your book for a fee. Traditional publishers pay you and invest in your book’s success. In contrast, vanity presses make their money from you, not for you.

The Typical Vanity Scheme:

  • They flatter your work: “Your book is exactly what we’re looking for!” even if they haven’t read it.
  • They ask for upfront money: Watch out for editing, design, marketing, and distribution discount packages.
  • They overcharge: Don’t fall for their one-stop shop approach for services you could get cheaper elsewhere (e.g., $4,500 for a cover design you could get for $450).
  • They upsell relentlessly: Pay-as-you-go pricing promises things like “Hollywood film options,” “bestseller campaigns,” or “celebrity endorsements.”
  • They retain your rights: Number one criterion for any publishing contract? Retain your book rights. Be sure any rights you cede revert back to you after the contract expires.

Watch for Red Flags:

  • Vague promises or guaranteed success
  • High-pressure sales tactics
  • Unclear or hidden fees
  • They’re listed on Writer Beware, ALLi’s Watchdog Desk, or Predators & Editors

What to Do Instead:

  • Research publishers and agents: Use reputable databases like QueryTracker or Manuscript Wish List.
  • Join writing communities: Get real feedback from other authors who’ve been phished by unscrupulous vanity presses.
  • Consider hybrid publishing carefully: Some are legitimate, but vet them as you would a contractor or a surgeon.
  • Self-publish on your own terms: You keep creative control, and with platforms like IngramSpark or Amazon KDP, you don’t have to go broke.
  • Read contracts: Be careful and pay attention to the details. Hire someone who knows about contracts. Best Chance Media offers some legal tips to get you started with the basics.

Closing Thought and Call to Action:

Thinking of publishing? Do you have a contract or offer you want to vet? Start a conversation with Best Chance Bot. Let’s make sure your dream book doesn’t turn into a costly lesson.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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💸 New writers: If a “publisher” wants you to pay them, it’s not a deal, it’s a SCAM.
Don’t let flattery cost you thousands. Learn how to spot vanity press red flags and protect your work. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #IndieAuthors #WritersBeware #SelfPublishing #VanityPress #WriterTips #PublishingScams #AuthorLife #ScamAlert #KnowYourWorth 👇
https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/01/23/avoiding-the-vanity-trap-how-new-writers-can-steer-clear-of-publishing-scams/

Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

How to Safeguard Your Manuscript from Theft

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Every new writer has that one fear: What if someone steals my story? You’ve poured your soul into your manuscript.

The idea of someone swiping it and cashing in is the stuff of literary nightmares.

Take a breath. The good news? You have more protections than you think, and they’re easier to access than you realize.

Ways Writers Can Protect Their Work:

  • Copyright Automatically Applies: The moment you put your story into a fixed form, like typing it in a document, saved in the cloud, or printed out, it’s automatically protected by copyright law. You own it, even if you haven’t registered it.
  • Register with the U.S. Copyright Office: While copyright is automatic, registration adds teeth. It gives you the right to sue for statutory damages and attorney’s fees if someone actually does steal your work. It’s cheap insurance, about $45 to $65 to register online at copyright.gov.
  • Keep Good Records
    Save dated drafts, emails to critique partners, and notes to yourself. Metadata and timestamps can be useful evidence of originality and creation dates.
  • Use Trusted Sharing Platforms
    If you’re sharing with beta readers or critique groups, choose platforms with built-in version tracking. Google Docs or Dropbox are good options. If you’re really concerned, ask your readers to sign a simple non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This isn’t common in most writing circles.

Myths to Avoid:

  • Poor Person’s Copyright: Mailing your manuscript to yourself is outdated and largely useless in court.
  • Someone Will Steal It Just Because You Shared It: In reality, theft of unpublished stories is incredibly rare. It’s good to have confidence that you have a great story. Most professionals have enough ideas and are too busy creating their own work to bother with stealing yours.
  • Your story deserves to be heard and not hoarded: Equip yourself with the facts, take a few simple steps, and then speak up boldly. After all, the bigger risk isn’t theft, it’s never letting anyone read your work at all out of fear.

Your Call to Action:

Ready to protect your writing and publish with confidence? Share this post with your writing group and check out our guide to registering your first copyright step-by-step.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

Copy and Share This Post on Your Social Media:

💡Worried about your story getting stolen? Learn how to protect your work, what counts as first publication, and why fear shouldn’t stop you from sharing. #WritingTips #Copyright #AmWriting #IndieAuthors #WritersCommunity https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/01/09/how-to-safeguard-your-manuscript-from-theft/

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Marketing 2025, Money Matters 2025

Maximize Earnings with Best Chance Media’s Revenue-Sharing Approach

Author Compensation with Best Chance

By Alan O’Hashi – Publisher

Best Chance Media’s compensation isn’t royalty-based. Big traditional publishing houses are happy to pay a celebrity an upfront royalty advance. They bet that a big name will sell books.

A small press like Best Chance works with indie writers and operates on a revenue-sharing model, and that’s a good thing. In most cases, advances are simply loans against future sales. If your book doesn’t “earn out,” the publisher sees it as a financial liability. They may stop putting effort into promotion. They might even drop the title entirely.

At Best Chance, your book is never treated like a liability. Instead, you start earning real money from the very first sale. Here’s how it works:

  • 40% discount for authors to buy their own books.
  • 50% of every sale Best Chance makes goes directly to the author.
  • Quarterly payments are deposited into your account.
  • You always own the copyright.

Best Chance will send your quarterly payments via PayPal. Once your book is selected, you’ll be asked to set up direct deposit for remittance by linking your bank account to your PayPal account through the online dashboard or the PayPal app on your phone. Payments totaling at least $10.00 will be transferred quarterly. Any amount less than $10.00 will roll over until the minimum threshold is met.

If this compensation formula seems fair to you, and you meet all the requirements, submit your manuscript:

SUBMISSION FORM

It may take BCM up to a month to accept or refuse your submission. If you have questions, ask Besty Bot. We’re here to provide you with the right information.

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📚✨ Got a manuscript ready to share with the world? Best Chance is looking for fresh voices and bold stories. No agents. No gatekeepers. Just YOU and your book. 💡✍️ 🚀 Submit today and keep your copyright, earn 50% of every sale, and start your author journey with a team that values your work! 👉 Your story deserves its best chance. #WritersOfInstagram #IndieAuthors #AmWriting #AuthorsLife #BookCommunity #PublishingJourney #WriteYourStory #BestChanceMedia https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/12/11/beyond-the-obstacle/

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

Mastering Turning Points in Storytelling

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Ever read a story or watch a movie where nothing really happens? Where characters meander through scenes, conversations trail off, and by the end of the chapter, you’re still not sure why you read it? That’s the danger of a story without turning points.

Whether you’re plotting meticulously or flying by the seat of your pants, knowing how and when to shift the direction of your story can keep readers engaged and keep you from getting stuck.

What Is a Turning Point?
A turning point is the moment something changes: an emotional pivot, a decision made, an accident, or a revelation. It doesn’t have to be huge. A character forgetting the bathroom code and getting locked out in a moment of crisis can be just as pivotal as finding out their partner is cheating or the plane is about to crash. Big or small, the point is: the story should never stay still.

When your character says “yes” to something, whether that’s a job, a relationship, a journey, or a truth, the scene needs to end, pivot, or reveal consequences. Unless that “yes” leads to a new challenge or reversal, the scene is over. It’s time to cut and move to the next setup.

Small Turning Points Matter
If your story feels sluggish, ask: What’s changing in this scene? What’s the point of this moment?

  • Did your character forget their lines in a school play? That’s a moment of embarrassment that could change their confidence.
  • Did a dog bark at them in the street? Maybe that moment triggers a memory.
  • Did they get a “yes” from a job interview? Great. What does that decision force them to face?

The story should always move. There are four essential turning points.

The Inciting Incident: The first major turning point is the moment that upsets your character’s ordinary world. It’s the spark. Your character gets fired, gets dumped, discovers a secret, gets an invitation they can’t refuse, or gets For example: by a spider. The incident forces them to make a choice or react.

  • A woman opens a letter meant for someone else and learns her boss is lying about her.
  • A teen forgets their backpack and ends up on a different bus that changes their life.
  • A chef drops a fork, and a customer picks it up, the first spark of a love story.

These are all small events that open the door to a bigger story.

End of Act I: This is the point of no return where the character steps fully into the story. Maybe they lie to protect someone, and now they’re stuck in the lie. Maybe they say yes to an opportunity but realize it comes with serious risks. This moment defines the rest of the story.

From there, each turning point should push the character toward the climax—the biggest turning point of all, where change becomes permanent, and the story can go no further.

Story Climax: The climax is the highest point of tension in your story: emotionally, physically, or both. It’s when your character faces the biggest challenge, makes the ultimate decision, or comes to a painful truth. After this moment, the story can go no further.

The inciting incident, the end of Act I, and every small and large turning point lead to this. It’s the do-or-die, speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace, win-or-lose beat.

Examples:

  • A character finally confesses their secret—and risks everything.
  • The hero defeats the villain, but at great cost.
  • A daughter walks away from her family, knowing she won’t come back.

Once the climax happens, there’s no need to keep building tension. The job now is to land the emotional plane, tie up loose ends, show the fallout, and let the reader breathe again. Let the end of your story ring and echo. Then wrap it up with a purpose rather than dragging your story out.

Denouement: Once the climax hits, the reader needs a moment to breathe. That’s why the denouement is important, as the final stretch where the consequences of the climax play out and the emotional arcs come full circle.

This is not the time to introduce new twists or subplots. Think of it as the last few moments after the storm has passed:

  • The hero limps home.
  • The lovers decide whether to try again.
  • The family gathers around a dinner table that’s a little quieter but somehow stronger.

A good denouement answers lingering questions, shows how the world has changed, and gives your readers time to reflect. It’s the moment the character relaxes, looks at the horizon, and we know at that point that after all they’ve been through, they’ll never be the same.

Without it, the climax feels abrupt. With it, your story resonates.

Plotters vs. Pantsers: Turning Points Matter Either Way
Whether you outline every beat or discover the story as you write, keeping turning points in mind will help you stay on track. Don’t write to fill pages, write to shift the stakes. Every scene should have a before and an after. Something happens. A choice is made. A secret is revealed. A bus pulls out.

Your Call to Action!
Don’t get stuck, keep moving. When you hit a wall, look for a turn. Ask: What hasn’t changed yet? What needs to? Turning points don’t have to be explosions. They can be dropped forks, forgotten codes, or missed buses. What matters is that something shifts emotionally, physically, or in the plot. Keep those turns coming, and your story will never stall.

Revisit your draft. Look at each scene and ask, “What changes here? Where’s the turn?” Keep the motion going, and you’ll find your way from start to finish—without getting stuck in the middle.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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🚨 Stuck in the middle of your story? You might be missing a turning point. Every scene should shift something: an emotion, a choice, a direction. Whether it’s a dropped fork or a life-changing “yes,” something must change.

✍️ Inciting incident? That’s your spark.
🎬 End of Act I? That’s your no-turning-back point.
🏁 Climax? That’s the final pivot before the end.

Whether you’re an outliner or a pantser, turning points are your best friend. Keep the story moving. Don’t write in circles, write to change. #WritingTips #StoryStructure #TurningPoints #AmWriting #FictionWriters #WritersOfInstagram #PlotTwist #KeepWriting #PantsersAndPlotters #WriteToChange https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/12/04/from-fork-drops-to-life-flops-writing-turning-points-that-keep-stories-moving/

Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker Craft, Uncategorized

Why Picking a Genre Matters More Than You Think

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

When I first started reading about query letters, one piece of advice kept popping up: agents and publishers want to know your genre.

At first, I resisted. “My book doesn’t fit into a neat little box,” I thought. “It’s unique!” But here’s the truth: uniqueness and marketability aren’t the same thing.

I’m looking for ‘funky, magical romance’!

Think of it this way. Walk into a bookstore. What do you see? Shelves with clear labels: Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Memoir. If your book doesn’t fit neatly under one of those signs, where would a bookseller put it? If readers can’t find your book, or don’t know what to expect when they pick it up, they likely wont buy it.

This isn’t about stifling creativity. It’s about speaking the same language as the people who will help you get your book into readers’ hands. Agents, publishers, and booksellers all use genres as shorthand for understanding your audience.

  • Agents want to know your genre so they can decide if your book fits the kinds of projects they represent. An agent who specializes in romance won’t take on your hard sci-fi novel, even if it’s brilliant.
  • Publishers need genres because they plan book launches around clear categories. If they don’t know whether your book is a historical novel or a thriller, they can’t figure out where to market it, or which editor will champion it.
  • Readers use genre as a promise. When they pick up a mystery, they expect a crime to solve. When they buy a romance, they expect a love story. Delivering on those expectations builds trust and keeps them coming back.

Here’s a simplified way to think about it:

  1. Start broad. Is your book fiction or nonfiction?
  2. Pick a lane. If it’s fiction, is it a mystery, romance, fantasy, historical, or literary novel? If it’s nonfiction, is it memoir, history, self-help, or true crime?
  3. Drill down. Subgenres help narrow your audience. Is your fantasy epic or urban? Is your romance historical or contemporary? Is your memoir a travel memoir or a grief memoir?

Here’s the most important part: be strategic. Query agents and publishers who actually represent or publish your genre. If you have a unique hybrid subgenre, position it smartly in your query letter or pitch.

For example, you might describe your book as “a mystery with speculative elements” rather than forcing an agent to wrestle with a brand-new label. If you spend too much time explaining why your work is part this and part that, you risk sounding uncertain—and uncertainty is the fastest way to lose interest.

Another tip: think about genre before you start writing. Rather than pouring your heart into a draft and then pulling your hair out trying to shoehorn it into a category later, give yourself a boundary from the beginning. Boundaries aren’t restrictions; they’re frameworks. Knowing your story is a thriller, a romance, or a memoir helps guide your choices as you write and keeps you from drifting so far that your story doesn’t fit anywhere.

Once you know your category, you can find comp titles—books that are similar to yours in tone, audience, or subject. Comp titles aren’t about proving your book is unoriginal; they show agents, publishers, and readers where your book fits in the marketplace and why it belongs on the shelf.

So, yes, your book might straddle genres, but for the sake of selling it, you need to pick one primary genre and maybe a subgenre. Think of it as giving your book a home. After all, if you don’t know where to shelve it, how will anyone else?

Call to Action: The next time you sit down to write—or revise—ask yourself: What shelf would my book sit on in a bookstore? Start there, and you’ll save yourself countless headaches when it’s time to query, pitch, and ultimately connect with readers who are already waiting for a story just like yours.

Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker Craft, Marketing 2025, Submit Manuscripts

Unlock Your Writing Potential with Best Chance Media

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Best Chance Media is an imprint that seeks writers who have been rejected and not been traditionally published. If you fall through the cracks, submit anyway. We’re flexible. We only accept submissions for full-length works: at least 40,000 words: fiction, nonfiction, and memoir.

If there’s a historical element, that’s a plus.

You write romance stories or young adult fiction, and then set them in a historical context. If you’re writing a memoir, think about historical events that happened during the experience that changed your life. Fantasy and science fiction can be set in historical contexts of the earthly world.

  • Fiction: While any fiction will be checked out, we’re partial to historical fiction. The story is set in the past. It may incorporate real historical events, people, or settings. Historical stories feature fictionalized characters, dialogue, and plot details. Your story should create an authentic sense of a particular time while telling a made-up “What If?” story that fits within that historical context.
  • Nonfiction: The same applies to nonfiction. A historical story presents accounts of unique past events, people, and places, based on factual evidence and thorough research. We seek stories that describe historical events. We also explore how areas like history, philosophy, literature, art, and culture have shaped human society.
  • Memoir: Memoirs are historical by definition. They intertwine with history during significant events or periods. These include the writer’s personal story unfolding midst war, migration, or civil rights movements. Such historical events shaped the author’s journey. The memoir doesn’t just list historical facts. It brings history to life through the author’s eyes. It blends personal feelings with the realities of the time.

– The Fine Print:

  • Best Chance does not accept manuscripts that depict violence, like rape, incest, harm to a child, or dismemberment. Manuscripts that advocate criminal activity are also not accepted.
  • Best Chance only accepts manuscripts from authors who are at least 18 years old and residents of the United States.
  • Best Chance only accepts manuscripts written in English. No partial manuscripts or idea pitches will be accepted.
  • Best Chance does not accept manuscripts for foreign rights expansion into the U.S. market.
  • Best Chance does not accept earlier released books (either self-published or released by a traditional publisher).
  • Best Chance does not accept short stories, collections of stories, or poetry.
  • Best Chance will remove manuscripts that do not meet these guidelines.
  • Best Chance will remove any query directly emailed.

If you meet all the requirements, fill out the:

SUBMISSION FORM

We will let you know our decision. It may take Best Chance up to a month to accept or refuse your submission. If you have questions, send an email to bouldercommunitymedia@gmail.com

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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Are you frustrated with all your rejection letters? Have you rewritten your story 50 times and you can’t get the interest of any agents or publishers? Best Chance Media are looking for writers like you. We’re a traditional press and won’t ask you for any upfront money, or charge you for editing. Best Chance is a writers’ cooperative that shares and collaborates for the betterment of all! https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/11/06/best_chance_submissions/

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

Do You Really Need a Literary Agent? A Writer’s Guide

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

You did it. You typed “The End.”
You’ve got a first draft in hand, and now you’re wondering:

“Should I get an agent?”

Short answer? Not yet.
Longer answer? It’s complicated, and it helps to understand where the agent system even came from.

A Quick History of Literary Agents

Before there were agents, writers represented themselves. Including the famous ones. Louisa May Alcott negotiated her own deals and even pushed back on her publisher’s edits to Little Women. She was savvy. Many weren’t.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, publishing became more industrialized. Contracts got more complex. A new type of middleman emerged: the literary agent. Agents originally made their mark by forging relationships with editors. They pitched manuscripts directly. Sometimes they literally walked into newspaper or publisher offices with a carbon copy in hand.

Sounds helpful, right?

Well… yes and no.

Back then, many writers didn’t know how to negotiate for royalties, reprint rights, or foreign editions. Some agents stepped in to protect them.

Others saw opportunity in that vulnerability. They took advantage by pocketing fees. Greedy agents misreported royalties or steered deals that served their own interests.

Watch Elvis (2022) about The King’s relationship with his manipulative agent, Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).

Unlike today, there weren’t many standards or oversight bodies. For many writers, agents were a mysterious and necessary evil.

That legacy still lingers. While most modern agents are ethical professionals, the system remains uneven. Some are career-builders. Some take their cut and are ghosters. A few are still out to take a bite out of a writer’s naivete.

Watch Billy Joel’s recent documentary for his take on an agent who got into his back pocket.

What Does an Agent Do Today?

A reputable agent helps you:

  • Polish your manuscript before submission
  • Pitch to traditional publishers (especially the Big Five)
  • Negotiate advances, royalties, and contract terms
  • Sell subsidiary rights (film, foreign, audio)
  • Guide your long-term writing career

Here’s the kicker: agents don’t work for you until you sign with them. Even then, you’re partners, not boss-and-employee.

They also work on commission (usually 10% to 15%). If an agent asks you for an upfront fee? That’s a scam. The old predatory spirit still shows up in new forms. Be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true. It’ll probably cost you.

Why You Shouldn’t Query After Just One Draft

Back to your beautiful first draft.
It’s not ready yet, and that’s OK.

Agents aren’t looking for ideas, they want execution. They want the third or fourth draft that’s been revised, workshopped, and proofread.

Submitting too soon is like proposing marriage on the first date. It rarely ends well. Agents want to know what you have next, what are your third and fourth books? They don’t want one-hit wonders, they want sustainability.

Before you query, you should:

  • Revise until you’re sick of revising.
  • Get feedback from critique partners or beta readers.
  • Hire a freelance editor, but be picky. Some are wolves in invoice form.

Do You Even Need an Agent?

Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on your goals.

If you want to publish with one of the Big Five or a major imprint? Yes, you’ll probably need an agent, inless you know an insider or meet the Editor in Chief at a writing conference.

Agents have forged a role and are the gatekeepers. If you’re looking at small presses, hybrid publishing, or self-publishing, probably not.

Publishing is no longer one path. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure. Agents are great allies, but they’re not the only ones who can open doors. You are your story’s best advocate

Keep Writing While You Wait

Querying can take months, and waiting to hear back can be even longer. While you’re waiting and revising, start your next project. Agents love seeing that you’re committed to writing, not just pinning all your hopes on one book.

Your Call to Action

The agent system was born from writers’ need for business help, but came with strings attached. Not all of these strings were good. These days, you can protect yourself by being informed, strategic, and patient.

The more you understand the business side of writing, the less likely you are to get played.

Don’t be in a rush. Hone your book. Do your research. And remember: you are the CEO of your writing career. An agent is a partner, not a savior.

Are you revising? Researching agents? Deciding whether to go indie or traditional? Share your journey in the comments or start a convo with Besty Bot. If this post gave you clarity, pass it on to a fellow writer who’s standing at the same crossroads.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

Copy and Share This Post on Your Social Media:

📚Just finished your first draft and wondering if it’s time to get a literary agent? Not so fast.✋ Before you query, know the history behind agents, how they used to work the system, and what new writers still need to watch out for today. Louisa May Alcott represented herself. Should you? Read this before you sign anything. #WritingTips #AmWriting #WriterBeware #LiteraryAgents #FirstDraftDone #PublishingAdvice #WritingCommunity #LouisaMayAlcott #KnowYourWorth #WritersLife #IndieAuthors #QueryTips https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/09/11/when-is-it-time-to-query-a-literary-agent/

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft, Marketing 2025

A New Dawn at Libby Flats: The longest journeys lead back to yourself

Step into the wide-open skies of Wyoming. Experience the turbulent college days of the 1960s. Embark on a road trip of reckoning in 2006. A New Dawn at Libby Flats by Alan O’Hashi is a sweeping tale. The image is the author in 1967 looking out from Libby Flats in the Medicine Bow National Forest.

This multigenerational story explores love, loss, rebellion, and reconciliation. It bridges the past and present. This novel features vivid landscapes and unforgettable characters. It asks: what occurs when long-buried secrets resurface? How does one handle a decades-old promise that demands to be kept?

Elizabeth Steiner embarks on a 2006 road trip. She travels from New Orleans to Boulder. Her goal is to reconcile with her dying mother, Becca. At Becca’s funeral, Elizabeth realizes she must resolve the differences between her father, Gary.

She must also tackle issues with his estranged university friends, Jack and Avery. They reunite after 38 years to fulfill a long-forgotten pact. This coming-of-age story explores themes of love, identity, and rebellion. It also examines the enduring power of friendship. The characters navigate their shared history and rediscover old bonds.

The story is captivating. It is a tale of a love triangle. The narrative presents conflicts around race and gender identity. It also explores youthful rebellion and the enduring power of friendship. In the 1960s, Becca Pembroke travels for a summer job on the Quiver Mountain Ranch near Lander, Wyoming. She is fleeing her stodgy New Jersey lifestyle. This includes wealthy and egotistical Jack Middleton, whom her mother thinks is Becca’s perfect match.

While in Wyoming, she befriends Gary, the ranch owner’s son. Gary is more interested in fighting in the Vietnam War than in pursuing girls. The two work with another hand, Avery Meadows, from Jackson.

Becca establishes in-state residency. She studies anthropology at the University of Wyoming (UW) in Laramie. She pursues a lifelong interest in returning ceremonial artifacts to Native American tribes. This leads to significant personal revelations that affect her family.

Avery joins her at UW as a wildlife management major. They reunite with Gary upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy. He enrolls at UW to study journalism rather than returning home to manage his family ranch.

Becca’s mother persuades Jack to transfer from Princeton University to UW. His mission is to rescue Becca from the free-spirited Wild West. She shows more interest in Gary, causing a big rift with Jack, in which Avery constantly mediates. Becca creates a Pact among herself and her three acquaintances to keep the peace. A big blow-up between Jack and Gary estranges the group.

Gary and Becca eventually marry and have a daughter, Elizabeth. Thirty-eight years later, in 2006, Becca passed away at the Blue Sky Village cohousing community in Boulder, Colorado. Elizabeth reluctantly returns home to Boulder for her mother’s funeral.

See through the eyes of Elizabeth, Gary, Avery, and Jack. Fulfill Becca’s Pact at Libby Flats near Laramie. Navigate their individual origin stories and life memories. This includes their shared time in Wyoming and their reunion in Boulder.

Order from Ingram iPage, 979-8-218-17767-6, Retail Price $19.95 USD.

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