David J. Backes

Yesterday forgot to say #Introduction

I have spent a lifetime writing and teaching about #nature and the human spirit.

I've got six nonfiction books behind me, including a national award-winning #biography of #SigurdOlson, a major figure in environmentalism and a beloved nature writer. Now, though, I've turned to #fiction and love it. And now I need an agent....

#AmQuerying #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #clifi #spirituality #hope

Nov 7, 2022 at 12:50amWeb
Show threadJody Still WritesNov 7, 2022
@DavidJBackes Nice to meet you and hear about your work. I'm here to connect with fellow writers while working to finally finish my novel draft. I pay bills by writing and editing for others. Someday, I'll have something to query!
Show threadDavid J. BackesNov 7, 2022
@jodystillwrites Nice to meet you as well. Yes, finding the time is always a challenge. Sounds like you have the persistence and passion needed to finish your novel and then begin querying.
Show threadMegNov 7, 2022

@DavidJBackes Best of luck querying!

I fell backward into getting an agent (purely luck I think) and have been pinching myself ever since

I'm familiar with Sigurd Olson though-- I attended the college where the SOEI is!

Show threadDavid J. BackesNov 7, 2022
@megvondriska Northland, wow! I've been there many times. And you have an agent! Congratulations! Such a hard thing to accomplish. I have never needed one for my nonfiction books, so this will be a whole new experience for me and it's a daunting one. Fortunately I am patient and stubb...I mean persistent 🤣
Show threadMegNov 7, 2022
@DavidJBackes How exciting! Well, all the best authors are persistent aren't they?
Show threadDavid J. BackesNov 7, 2022
@megvondriska Absolutely! Actually, Sigurd Olson is a great example and sign of hope. He tried for thirty years to sell the kinds of nature essays he became famous for, and came close to giving up several times. There was always someone to lift him up, and when he was 57 Knopf published his first book and it became a bestseller.
Show threadMegNov 7, 2022

@DavidJBackes Oh wow that's quite uplifting!

I need that to be a short quote I can pin to an inspo board -- ha!