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Selling your Novel with Cherry Weiner

Selling your Novel with Cherry Weiner

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 Join my chat with Cherry Weiner as we go over…📝 How our editing process works📖 What the big publishers are looking for🧭 How long it REALLY takes to go from book deal → bookstore shelf💡 Smart moves that help authors build lasting careersI finished my first novel, City Lights to Country Nights, last February and signed with Cherry Weiner at Superstars 2025 last year. (This year’s con starts Feb 4 in Colorado, but I am missing it this year.)The only way to query Cherry is to meet her in person, and she signed a few of us from last year’s convention! It’s been a year of trying to sell my book, and here’s your chance to eavesdrop on our conversation as Cherry talks about me through the realities of the publishing world and the best way forward to success for an author.Join the next tier and read my cold email to Cherry before the con and the winning query letter!AF: A lot of writers imagine you write a book, get an agent, sell it, and a few months later it’s in stores. What’s the real timeline from book sale to publication?CW: Much longer than people think. First, editors can take months just to read submissions — three, six, sometimes nine months. If they love it, they still have to take it to an acquisitions meeting where sales, legal, and other editors weigh in. If it passes, we negotiate the deal, which can take a week or even months. Then, contracts take weeks to process. After the manuscript is accepted, publication is often scheduled up to 24 months later because publishers buy books years in advance.AF: I didn’t know about the acquisitions meeting. Does this mean an editor can love your book and still reject it?CW: Absolutely. An editor can be passionate about a book, but if the acquisitions committee says no, the deal is dead. Publishing decisions are business decisions as much as creative ones.AF: How has publishing changed since you started?CW: It’s much harder now. I used to be able to sell a book on three chapters and an outline. Today, especially for new authors, I need a complete, polished manuscript before submitting. Publishers are taking fewer risks.AF: How many major publishers are we really talking about now?CW: Very few. There are about four or five major houses left, plus some big independents. And many imprints under the same umbrella consult together, so if one says no, that often closes doors within that house.AF: What does a manuscript need today for you to say yes?CW: I have to feel like I’m not reading — I’m there in the story. If I can put it down easily, it’s a no. It has to pull me in completely and make me want to turn the page.AF: What’s a common character mistake you see?CW: Weak protagonists. Today’s readers and editors want strong, capable main characters — especially women. Not “wet noodles.” Growth is great, but they need strength from the start. (Authorial note: Cherry originally thought the main character in my cowboy romance was a “wet noodle” and was going to say no. But I convinced her to let me take another crack at it. And hired Bruce McAllister to help me. DM me if you want to learn more about hiring Bruce.)AF: Do editors still buy series from new authors?CW: Not the way they used to. I try to pitch series, but most editors will buy one book first and wait to see how it performs before committing to more.AF: How long will you keep submitting a book before giving up?CW: I keep going as long as I believe in the author and we have options. Sometimes we pause and try another project. I once worked with an author for six years before selling the right book — but it was in the genre she truly loved writing.(Authorial note: This eased my mind greatly. I was panicking about my book not being sold after a year of being pitched to editors. Cherry won’t give up on me if I don’t give up on writing. I am considering creating book #2 in this world. After I complete a million other projects, of course. Squirrel anyone?)AF: How important is an author’s platform now?CW: Very. One of the first things editors ask is about social media and audience. Discoverability is a huge issue, and having a following helps prove there’s a readership.AF: When does it make sense to use a pen name?CW: If you’re switching genres and don’t want to confuse readers, or if previous sales were weak. Editors can see sales history, so sometimes a fresh start with a new name helps.AF: What makes a great agent–author relationship?CW: Trust, honesty, and communication. It’s like a business marriage. You’re trusting me with your work, so transparency is essential.AF: What’s your best advice for writers pitching agents or editors?CW: Be natural. Don’t read a script. Put your best foot forward — and ideally, have a complete manuscript ready.Curious how I found my agent? Read my cold email and the winning query letter.Cherry Weiner only takes queries from authors she meets in person. I knew she was going to be attending Superstars ...
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