my book is getting published 🥂 being on sub, selling my debut novel, writing for passion over market

[@KrisMF]

You can add LOCAL HEAVENS to your tbr! stay tuned for preorder links/follow my socials :) ↠ add on goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/221244034-local-heavens ↠ add on storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/books/89dd85b3-ec0b-48f1-a603-7f6ddae30643

[@briellewrites]

omg watching this is going to be such a treat but just wanted to reiterate JUST HOW PROUD I AM (and we all are!!!) truly cannot think of anyone who deserves this more. you are so incredible! cannot wait to purchase a copy!! (also so exciting that we don't even have to wait that long!!! fall 2025 is so soon! yay yay). go kris go kris, being in this authortube space with you is such a joy

[@KrisMF]

thank you so much brielle🥹🤍!!

[@ShaelinWrites]

CONGRATULATIONS KRIS!! I can’t tell you how excited I am for you and to read your book next year ahhh. Also, on a personal note, as someone who has been on sub for two years…this video was extremely comforting. Being on sub has by far been the hardest thing I’ve ever been through as a writer and the longer it goes on the more soul crushing it gets. I’ve had multiple close calls where a book almost sold and then the editor wasn’t able to get the sale through and it just gets more brutal every time, especially being in a genre that’s very stalled right now (literary fiction) with very few editors actually making sales and my work continually being rejected for being ‘too risky for a debut author’, it all starts to feel impossible to break into. Seeing you sell a book that maybe felt harder to place in the market, but that was true to you, it really gives me hope that this can all be worth it in the end!

[@KrisMF]

Shaelin!!! you are an incredible writer and your channel has had such an impact on my writing journey, like you don’t understand 😭 I’m so sorry to hear about your near misses and honestly can’t believe you haven’t been snatched up yet. i had a couple tough editor passes that totally crushed me because it was always a genre thing (too literary for the sff space, too sff for the lit space.) there is so much luck involved in this industry but i know the stars will align for you soon! 🤞✨

[@christy-anne-jones]

Congratulations Kris!!! I'm so extremley happy for you and I can't wait to read it!! 💛

[@lynndjung]

Congratulations Kris!! Your journey, with all its ups and downs, is an absolute inspiration and I cannot WAIT to start shoving your book(s!!!!) into people's faces.

[@CurrentlyWriting]

Such relatable advice - we all hope our book will sell, but we should never settle for less than the book of our heart. I love how honest and open this talk has been. Thank you for sharing your experience with the rest of the author community, it's truly heartwarming to know other people are out there experiencing the same thing, and that they're cheering for you!

[@SaniBell98]

I'm so happy for you, my writing role model, getting published!! 😭Can't wait to get my hands on Local Heavens, but also secretly hoping Kaira, Mito and Teian get to see the world too! 🥺🤞

[@kimilynP]

congratulations!!! That's so exciting! definitely take some time (even if it's only like 5 minutes) to feel proud of yourself and appreciate how hard you've worked and how far you've come. you did it!

[@CaeliFaye]

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS KRIS🥳 your publishing success inspires me sm. As someone who's querying something that isn't trending in the market, your talk about writing for passion and not market really comforts and reassures me that it's alright to write indulgently. I'm so excited for you and local heavens

[@ananeu]

congrats kris! so inspiring xx

[@arcane9205]

CLICKED SO FAST, I ALREADY KNEW BUT THIS IS THE VIDEO IVE BEEN AWAITING, CONGRATSSS

[@kristalartdiaries]

From a Filipino writer, CONGRATULATIONS, KIM!!! Can't wait to have your book in my hand and smell the pages! Hope for your future success and more published books ❤❤❤

[@jennal5657]

CONGRATULATIONS!! I will absolutely be snapping up Local Heavens when it comes out!! And I wanted to say thank you for sharing your writing journey. Whether it's through youtube or substack, the way you write and speak about your experiences and thoughts is engaging and brilliantly articulated. I recently went through the same unwelcome surprise you had of temporarily becoming a full-time writer via layoffs, and knowing I'm not alone is comforting.

[@AriBPK]

huge congrats, kris! this is so well deserved and I can't wait to buy a copy and read this masterpiece 💕

[@emmandres]

congratulations!!!!! i haven't been here very long but im so proud of you and your well-deserved accomplishments ❤❤❤

[@heyyitssj]

Congratulations!! This is so exiting 🎉 I’m currently in the second draft of my first book and seeing your journey has been so helpful and motivational to keep writing. Can’t wait to get your book 💕

[@anica_writes]

Congratulations! I love rooting for fellow spec fic writers who are writing awesome stories. I’m on sub now and I so felt the emotions of your journey. You give me hope! And excited to read it when it comes out!

[@Ebony.B]

CONGRATS KRIS! So proud of you 🤍 we’re all super excited for Local Heavens!

[@ovf26]

So happy for you!!!!!!!! Seriously so well-deserved

[@cynthiawrites]

aaa congrats!!! i'm so looking forward to when it comes out next year 💖

[@Lara_Ameen]

Congratulations, Kris! So well-deserved! I remember following your journey since before you got your agent and now you’re getting published! I can’t wait to buy a copy! 🥳💜 I thought your querying journey in particular was kind of fast… 3 months is incredible! But there’s always more to come! I saw your announcement on Instagram and Twitter. Congratulations again! CELEBRATE! I can’t wait to read it! 😍🎉

[@morganunraveled]

i am absolutely so emotional & proud of & with you!!! i can’t wait to get my hands on this book 🩵

[@connoroneill2852]

i’ve literally been watching you for three years and it’s so surreal to see this!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

[@jaswriting]

Ahhh!! Congratulations, Kris!! It's wild to watch you draft local heavens, edit, query, being on sub, and now PUBLISHED in 2025! So proud of you!

[@raekline763]

OMG Congrats!!!! Lol i just lost my job and while i am looking for a new book i am writing my first book i plan to publish though i know i cant make a living of it i am taking the first step! So inspiring to watch you these 5 years and makes me want to keep trying!!!

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

So excited for you and this moment! 🌟🌟🎉🎉

[@KyleenWren]

This is a reaffirmation of my decision to shift gears and go for it with querying my literary-leaning dystopian fantasy (that doesn't even quite fit in that genre mashup lol). I've had insecurities over its marketability, esp as a debut, but I can't let this book go. I'm so excited for you! Congratulations, and I'm glad you survived sub 🫶🏼

[@TheSnakeInk]

Congratulations! Your journey has been so interesting so far and I can't wait to read it c: Your insight on the process (especially about following your gut) is very interesting and inspiring as well.

[@thestockimagequeen]

CONGRATS KRIS!! I’ve been following you since the beginning; this is a huge achievement and I’m so so excited to read Local Heavens! I’m hoping to start querying my YA fantasy novel soon, thanks for all the tips and insight over the last few years🥂

[@jacque8236]

As a fan of Gatsby and cyberpunk this sounds so perfect. Ty algorithm! You've been through so much, hope this takes you somewhere great.

[@northofdakota]

Congrats on the book deal! I can't wait to check this book out when it releases cause queer cyberpunk is totally my jam! ❤ I really appreciate the advice you gave about market vs passion cause I'm an unpublished writer working on my debut novel right now that is dystopian sci-fi and even though dystopian stories were popular in the past, other than Suzanne Collins still publishing The Hunger Games, dystopian stories aren't trending right now and because of that, I've had doubts here and there that my book might not get picked up because not only is it my debut, but it's a dystopian sci-fi black queer story but regardless I don't wanna give up because I'm really passionate about this story and I wanna share it with people. ❤

[@KrisMF]

i actually think dystopian is creeping back into trend or at least, it's not considered "dead" the way it was maybe 5-8 years ago. we need more bipoc queer stories and readers want it too! please don't give up on it if you're passionate 💛

[@northofdakota]

@KrisMF Thank you for your words of encouragement! I really needed this! 🥺❤

[@kenbryan339]

Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉 This is so awesomeee. Such an inspiration ❤

[@c_marr]

Wow, congratulations on the book deal! 🎉 You’ve obviously been through so much this year, and I hope you have a less stressful and more enjoyable rest of the year. Congratulations again, your journey is really inspirational, and I can’t wait to buy and read your debut novel next year.

[@crimsonleavesfalling5224]

Literally cried watching this, so so happy for you.

[@gnomercy14]

CONGRATULATIONS! I just want to say I love your channel so much and I've never anticipated a book more than Local Heavens, I cannot wait to read this next year! I love LOVE The Great Gatsby.

[@AdamFishkin]

Ahhhh so you did your first draft during the exact same timeframe that I was co-directing a community theatre production of The Addams Family as well as setting up a film company and directing my first film. Creative expression almost always feels like you're in the trenches, fighting a war you can't win. What is or isn't "commercial" is the lifelong debate and you're having it against people who've never been in your shoes nor have they looked past a pie chart to see what readers these days actually want. Your victory means so much. Your health means so much. 'Tis true that you can never have a good thing for too long, but we stay alive for the good things and my consolation (while projects stall and my own mental health is on a downswing) is that this good thing came to Kris Fajardo when she needed it. Looking forward to next year.

[@fairyfathom]

I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT AAAAAAAAA

[@scarlettdownsiswriting]

Congrats!!!!!!! This video is so inspiring!!!! Can't wait to read Local Heavens next fall

[@Evybooks]

''I feel like Local heavens has find it's home'' Aww love to hear you talk about your book. I'm so exited to read it.

[@navvygray]

Honestly I just want to cry tears of joy. It's been such a treat watching you on this journey. Congratulations!! You deserve all the goodness and more. And 1000% yes to a 20-page cover brief 😂 No other way haha.

[@bookishmik]

congratulations!!! so excited to read local heavens when it's out

[@trillgutterbug9378]

Oh my gosh, congrats!!!! My finger is hovering for the preorder 👀👀👀👀

[@knwade]

Congratulations!! The journey is coming full circle👏

[@rc6870]

congratulations you worked so hard and you truly deserve it!

[@yuenatv]

DREAM! THIS IS MASSIVE! I've watched you on and off and I'm so excited for you :)

[@jaepelton]

Congratulations!! It feels so right that you get to debut with your 🙂‍↕️weird🙂‍↕️ book. I teared up when you talked about the importance prioritizing passion. After years of publishing-focused writing, I just started a new WIP that I am IN LOVE with. I have no idea if anyone will ever want it, and it’s the happiest I’ve been writing in forever. Congrats again Kris, can’t wait to read Local Heavens 🥳

[@malikamaybe]

Gahhhhh, I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait to have Local Heavens in my hand. I appreciate you sharing the difficulties of all this and reminding us to keep ‘am I having fun?’ in mind. I’m about 6283836 steps behind this point (been querying for about two months with two fulls out and a solid number of rejections for a genre manuscript with commercial writing-I’ve wished for a while that I had more literary-leaning writing tbh), but thank you so, so much for sharing! So many congratulations and a million more, Kris 💕💕

[@KrisMF]

two months is not very long at all! fingers crossed for your fulls !!! 🤞

[@malikamaybe]

@@KrisMF You’re such a sweetheart! Thank you! Trying to move on mentally to the next story, but I will keep at least a glimmer of hope lol.

[@OliviaWriting]

I’m like 10 sec into the video but FUCK YEAH!!!! Congrats congrats congrats this is so exciting! I’m a silent viewer of your channel and I feel weirdly proud (??) of you in a way that I hope isn’t weird and parasocial lol. To me you’re proof that those of us who are passionate about writing craft can break into the publishing world. Your editing videos are one of my favorite things to watch

[@taijavmarie]

i am so so happy that i’ll have this on my shelf next year 😭

[@chiooh]

I CANT WAIT TO DEVOUR THIS BOOK

[@caitlinmckay1125]

Congrats!! Can’t wait to read it :)

[@jennlimwrites]

The biggest congrats once again 🎉🎉 can’t wait to follow along on the rest of the journey. Fall 2025 is right around the corner, gah!

[@aurora-cc6hk]

CONGRATS!

[@zeroshelfcontrol]

that's so amazing!! what a journey - HUGE CONGRATS :)

[@hufflepuffins]

CONGRATS!! Can't wait to buy and read Local Heavens 💜🎉✨

[@skylark1772]

Wooop! Wooop!!! 🎉Congrats! Saw the title and had to say a quick congratulations!🎊🍾🎈 although I have to watch the rest of this vid later ❤

[@MC_cyjh]

congrats!! happy for you

[@LiteraryLori]

Congrats on your success! Your book sounds really cool.

[@dukeofdenver]

CONGRATULATIONS ❤❤

[@andesears]

Congratulations Kris!!! Wow, what an incredible achievement. It’s been so cool to watch your journey. Can’t wait to get my own copy of Local Heavens!!! 🫶🏼

[@temporalloop]

congratulations!! can't wait to read LH!! & thank you so much for sharing your journey with your writing. sending love & support from the philippines 🤍

[@jarrardraju7984]

Was waiting for this video 🎉

[@gracereadsaudio]

Coming from TikTok, first of all congratulations 🥳 This is extremely inspiring as I decided to write my first book last year with no experience and knowledge in publishing. I haven’t deep dived into your content here on KZbin yet but I SURE WILL ❤

[@TheHijabiDiariesWithAmy]

YAY! Writing for passion will get you so far. :)

[@Datiwrites]

Omg!!! Congratulations ❤❤❤

[@lisev415]

Congrats!!

[@nhertanto]

omg i started watching ur video when u were querying this is SO SO COOL CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎉🎉

[@WriteHollyDavis]

Congratulations!!

[@Man-ej6uv]

F!CK YES!!! so happy for you

[@Jay-jv7wj]

OMG 🎉🎉🎉 congrats!!

[@jackiereadsandwrites]

Congratulations!

[@glitchscribble44]

Hooray! ❤

[@ashmosphere]

congrAAAAAAAATS! excited to add it to my tbr :)

[@opollitico]

Fantastic news

[@scarlett0512]

Congratulations!

[@celineleee]

LOCAL HEAVENS!!!!!! 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣

[@caileycarrot]

Congratulations🎉🎉

[@alesswonderland]

One question I have about LH after all this time, do you critique or mention on the thought that Gatsby was written by Zelda and not F. Scott? I never really researched it but I saw it again in the last week and wanted to know if you touch on it.

[@mittag983]

I'm jealous!!!

[@ruthmorgan2098]

Haven't watched the video yet, but congratulations 🎉🎉🎉

[@RainDropDrop22]

Fall of 2025, noted!

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

🎉🎉🎉

[@beanosbourn5492]

🥳🥳🥳!!

[@elibbi]

felicidades

[@PsychOnlineAldrian]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@GoodMorningwithMalak]

Joined your channel. Your Reviews and comments on books very well. We make review videos on simple Urdu literature books from Pakistan. Hope you like our work. Love and best wishes to you

[@mhjmakes3631]

I already said it on ko-fi (just a little plug to follow her ko-fi 😈) but I'll say it again. In the voice of Charles Martinet circa 1996, Congratulations! You story has been so inspiring in so many ways. It is just unbelievable. You deserve this so much, and you bet your neck I'll be pre-ordering that book the moment that I can. Haha (Also love how extra you got with the cover brief. That is the exact type of energy that we need in this world.)

[@KayRD]

Congrats!!

[@juliat.9719]

Congratulations!!!

[@l.rosing491]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@EpicFandomVogue]

Congratulations!!