Works of Ren Wayland

Information about the author of the Age of Goddesses and her other works.

recent posts

  • Edits are BACK!

    I received my edits last week and spent some time implementing the notes my editor, @texasbookmama, gave and some feedback I received from family and friends.

    I condensed my opening, closed a plot hole, and expanded upon the world and characters. It is so important for us writers to work together and get constructive criticism from the people in our lives.

    Thanks to them, this will be a much stronger manuscript and I hope it will show as I reenter the query trenches.

    Stay tuned for a new Query Letter for The Pretender Queen and more details about the Realm of Astros.

    See you guys soon!

    Ren Wayland

  • Journey to Agenting

    It’s always hard to see someone get something you wanted. Especially on your birthday – mine is today (The big 3-4). And today I saw that an author I’ve been following for weeks on TikTok post that she is officially an agented author with an agent I’ve been waiting to hear back from – and will likely receive a closed/no reply from.

    While I am so incredibly excited for another author from TikTok to get agented and one step closer to traditional publication, it’s bitter to sweet to see an agent that I really wanted to work with represent someone else when I did not even get a response.

    Keep in mind, I know my query was premature, and I know that it is with an editor now to improve it for my next round of queries. I did this to myself and I should have been more patient and sought out more feedback. It is still bitter sweet.

    But, I was given some great advice that said, “If you can’t be happy for one of your peers winning, maybe you’re not ready to win yet”. So I will congratulate my peer and will patiently await my turn.

    Thank you for listening!

    Ren Wayland

  • A Title Conundrum

    I have been going back and forth about changing my novel’s title after another author published The Scarlett Heir. No hurt feelings, just not wanting to confused future readers.

    Why did I choose The Crimson Heir, you ask? I chose it because the main character has wine red hair, and the series would also have color themes in their titles. But, I do already have another title in mind.

    In my novel, most queens have a common name, such as Dowager Queen, Golden Queen…and The Pretender Queen

    Princess Tania is fighting to retake her father’s kingdom that is being lorded over by a tyrant prince. So she is accused of being a Pretender Queen.

    Should I change it? Or leave it be? Which title is more impactful or memorable?

    The Crimson Heir or The Pretender Queen

    Ren Wayland

  • Querying too soon

    As I’m sure many have before, and many will after, I queried my manuscript to 15 agents way too soon. How do I know this? you may ask. My answer: five form rejections and no requests. I do have ten queries still pending, but noticed that queries submitted after mine DID receive full requests. I know, it sounds soul crushing.

    I did take it a little harder than I should have, but after getting some feedback from a couple of friends from TikTok (@ebmorgan & @caitlynissuperawesome) I started to make some necessary changes. I even won a free edit from a TikTok post from @texasbookmomma!

    I submitted my manuscript for edits this week and will get my feedback at the end of the month. After implementing her feedback, I will likely send out another batch of 15 queries and hopefully get a better response!

    Regardless, for my birthday, my husband is taking me to a writer’s conference in Raleigh & Charlotte. I plan to pay to pitch two agents and hope to get more detailed feedback and make even more necessary changes.

    I guess why I’m posting this is to remind myself – and hopefully others – that agent rejections do not mean we failed, they mean we still have room to grow.

    Even the form rejections.

    Ren Wayland

  • The Crimson Heir Query Letter (Obsolete)

    Query Letter

    I am pleased to present my debut novel, The Crimson Heir, an adult, character driven fantasy novel completed at 80,000 words for your representation. It is the first installment in a planned series with an ensemble POV which will appeal to readers of The Bone Season and The Bridge Kingdom. This story is for readers who are striking out on their own for the first time, struggling to prove themselves to a skeptical world.

    When an enemy nation invades the Kingdom of Geldhart, Princess Tania barely manages to escape with her life. Now she is all that remains of the royal family, hiding in plain sight while her kingdom falls under foreign occupation. As tensions rise and the enemy creeps closer, she is forced to flee her own country to escape their grip.

    Determined to reclaim her throne, Tania tours the realm seeking aid from neighboring nations. But as a young woman with no army, no allies, and no experience, she struggles to prove herself and her kingdom as a worthwhile investment. Willing to enter trade negotiations, restore old marriage pacts, and take part in conditional agreements, her idealist beliefs are tested by apathetic nations, fragile alliances, and calculating leaders.

    Realizing that no one will be coming to her aid, Tania comes to terms with the realities of the world her family worked so hard to protect her from. If she wants her kingdom back, she will have to stop asking permission and claim it on her own. Accompanied by an unlikely band of supporters, she must return home to rally a fractured nation to action, become the leader she was never meant to be, before the next kingdom falls.

    Working as an aircraft mechanic for the United States Coast Guard as a woman in an obviously male dominated field, I am consistently underestimated and have to prove my capability every day. This perspective gives me a special insight into Tania’s story and any one who has struggled to earn their place.

    Thank you for your time and consideration. This is a high fantasy story that emphasizes the importance of a found family and women empowerment. My characters’ voices and stories make for an experience rich story. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Respectfully,

    Ren Wayland