My Journey in Traditional Publication Starts Here

“Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference. They don’t have to make speeches. Just believing is usually enough“ – Stephen King

November 2024. That’s when I stopped being a “writer” and became someone who actually writes. Every night after tucking my wife and three daughters into bed here in the forested mountains of northeast Pennsylvania, I’d pour myself something warm and sit down at the keyboard. Usually two hours at a minimum. Every single night.

The result? Four completed novels, one novella, and another book in progress. Three of those novels written since April 2025 alone.

But who the hell am I to be talking about this?

Fair question. My name is Allan Kaspar. I’ve been writing since I was six years old (my first act of literary rebellion: changing the ending of a Winnie the Pooh story because it pissed me off. We all start somewhere, usually in fanfic). Right now, I’m still chasing the dream of making this my day job. But I can say with confidence (backed by actual data) that I’m on the right track.

Why I’m Writing This

Kevin Hearne, author of the Iron Druid Chronicles, shared his traditional publishing journey fifteen years ago when he set out to publish Hounded. Those observations changed everything for me. If my journey goes somewhere and I end up published, you can blame Kevin.

Now I want to do the same. Not because I’ve “made it” (spoiler: I haven’t), but because I’m in the trenches right now, learning what works and what doesn’t. And if you’re reading this, you’re probably in those trenches too.

Where I Am Now

This July, I completed A Cook’s Guide to Supernatural Philadelphia. My cozy urban fantasy about Mac Sullivan, former sidekick to a cosmic hero who saved the world back in May 2024. Now Mac’s trying to figure out what the hell to do with his life post-apocalypse-that-didn’t-happen. His solution? Invest in a magic-powered food truck with a GPS that has the attitude of a snarky teenager.

The book is currently on the query journey. I’ve sent about 20 query letters to literary agents, and here’s where things stand:

• 2 requests for full manuscript (agents read my five-page preview and said “send me everything”)
• 3 requests for partials (agents wanted the first fifty pages)
• 1 full manuscript (for a different novel, not part of this specific journey) out with another agent since Memorial Day weekend (yes, I’m still waiting. Welcome to publishing, where patience isn’t a virtue, it’s a requirement. Masochists welcome.)

For context: previous novels I queried? Twenty queries sent, twenty “thanks but no thanks” responses.

This progression—from zero interest to multiple requests—tells me something’s clicking. Each novel gets stronger responses. The Favor and the Flame, the romantasy I wrote before A Cook’s Guide, landed my first full manuscript request in May. Now I’m getting multiple fulls and partials per round.

The trajectory is there. Which makes this the perfect time to bring you along.

What Happens While You Wait

Publishing moves at glacial speed, so while A Cook’s Guide sits in agents’ inboxes, I’ve been writing:

• The sequel: A Cook’s Guide to Supernatural Succession—a cozy urban fantasy murder mystery (completed). I may share some of my favorite excerpts
• Book three: A Cook’s Guide to Cosmic Consequences. I’m three chapters in, where Mac has to confront the fallout from actually saving the world

What’s Coming

Later this week, I’ll share the query letter that’s been getting these bites. According to a recent agent nudge, it just landed another full request.

This is where the journey gets real. Buckle in.

Questions? Reach out on Threads or drop a comment. I want to hear from you as we navigate this together.hear from you as we take this journey together!

Al