Just like in sports, sometimes in publishing, you need a lucky bounce.
My journey into novel writing began three years ago, inspired by a tragic and extraordinary incident that unfolded in an Indiana mall in the summer of 2022. On that day, an armed gunman entered the mall with an assault rifle and killed three people. Unbeknownst to him, a young man named Eli Dicken was also there. He had a concealed carry permit and was armed. In a remarkable act of bravery, Eli shot and killed the active shooter.
The story struck me on many levels. Eli was a hero, but the event also raised questions in my mind about gun laws, society, and how we ended up policing ourselves in such a way. That single moment was the catalyst for me to begin writing. My debut novel starts with a similar situation, an active shooter brought down by an armed bystander. Beyond that premise, however, everything in my story is pure fiction.
The Long Road to Publishing
Once I had finished my manuscript, I thought it was pretty good and so I hired a professional editor, who agreed with me. Feeling encouraged, I began pitching it into the publishing world. I quickly discovered how challenging the process really is.
One of the most frustrating parts of querying agents and publishers is how little feedback you receive. If you get a response at all, it is often generic. More often than not, I heard some version of, “It’s not a good fit for me,” but without any guidance as to why.
For 18 months, I sent out queries. I spent three times as long trying to find a publisher as I did writing the manuscript. During that period, I received only scattered bits of feedback. One agent thought my manuscript was too “didactic.” I had to look it up, but I will save you a trip to the dictionary if you don’t know: It means preachy. Another agent suggested the active shooter premise might be too controversial and hit too close to home. That was tough to hear because the premise was not something I could simply change. The story depends on it.
A Lucky Break
After months of rejection and vague responses, what I really needed was some luck. That came when I connected with Tule Publishing. My manuscript landed in the inbox of Julie Sturgeon, the acquiring editor for Tule Mystery.
Julie, who’s already incredibly sharp, lives in Indiana, and on the day Eli Dicken fired those famous shots, she was in that mall parking lot; the first cop on the scene swerved to miss hitting her Miata. By pure coincidence, she had a direct and visceral understanding of the moment that inspired my novel.
That hesitancy I had been facing with others didn’t exist with Julie. She understood the story, the premise, and the nuances. She did not shy away from the subject matter. Instead, she leaned in, read it through, and helped make it better. For that, I am forever grateful to Julie and Tule Mystery.
Appreciating the Bounce
As a college basketball fan, Julie knows how important a lucky bounce can be. A ball rolls around the rim and falls your way. A half-court heave beats the buzzer. Or, a player named Keith Smart seemingly comes out of nowhere, lights it up on a Monday night, and gives her beloved Hoosiers a national title.
Sometimes that one break changes everything. For me, Julie was that bounce. Without her, my manuscript might still be sitting in a stack of unread queries. Instead, it became the first installment of The Lemaster Files.
I hope you will give The Bystander a chance. You can read the first chapter for free on the Tule Publishing website here. If you enjoy it, I would be deeply flattered if you bought a copy. And if you do not, that is okay too. I already feel lucky just to be here.
About the author
John David is a long-time public relations and crisis communications consultant, author of a non-fiction business book, and a corporate ghostwriter. His debut novel, The Bystander (The Lemaster Files Book 1), was longlisted for the BPA First Novel Award. When not working or writing, he enjoys fishing, talking about politics, and following the Florida Gators. He and his beautiful wife Pamela live in Pinecrest, Florida.
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