Yes, you heard that right. My manuscript got rejected by more than 200 literary agents. You may be wondering how I’m doing. If I’m reeling after the mountains of rejection and ghosting. Did I throw my laptop into an ocean? Did I give up writing?

Now, just as a disclaimer, my book did get about 10 full / partial requests. Most of those agents that requested my manuscript… ghosted me. The others simply didn’t have the time to dedicate their energy to my novel, or my book was too similar to another one of their signed clients.

Before any ragebaiter comes at me and says that my book was simply not good enough, that’s not the case. It just wasn’t my turn to get signed with a literary agent, and that’s okay.

how am i dealing with all the rejection?

For a few weeks, I was a wreck. I thought I didn’t serve to be a writer. And to be honest, the query trenches are not a joke and are not for everyone. This was the first book I’d queried, and I’d written it to be able to query it.

It’s not my first book written. It was my third.

Since I decided to go through the traditional publishing path, back in December 2024, I’ve been able to write three more novels and draft two other ones. In total, I have about seven novels bouncing around in my brain. I got to a point where I couldn’t wait around for someone to tell me that I was ready.

Which takes me to my next choice. I decided to go back into self-publishing.

I self published my debut novel in August 2024, but I didn’t receive the traction I expected which is what deterred me away from the indie world. There is nothing wrong with taking that path, but I felt like it’d been too much. As an indie author, you have to handle everything. The writing, the marketing, the sales, and so much more. You literally have to become an entrepeneur, a businessperson.

And some of us aren’t business people. We’re creatives, writers. So it’s daunting and tiring for so many.

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why did i make the choice to go back to indie publishing?

I refused to wait one to two years just to have ONE book hopefully published. I knew that indie publishing would take hard work, it would have to become my full-time job. After speaking with several author friends, they finally told me to take the leap. And after so much consideration (I had been thinking about it since September 2025) I decided in March of this year to JUST DO IT.

I’m blessed to have a husband who is willing to take a bit of the weight, financially speaking, as I chased my dreams. I do work from home as a freelance editor which is also what helps me focus a lot more on writing and keeping my creative brain working.

So this is me officially claiming my success in the indie publishing world. Against all hope, against all doubt, and against all luck.

I have so many books that I want to tell to my readers. Stories that are about love, healing, forgiveness, change, and women battling against their dark pasts. I have readers I want to be able to talk to and gush with about book boyfriends.

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what’s my book about?

The book that I am going to be publishing this September 22, 2026 (the first day of fall) is titled: DON’T FORGET ME.

Perfect for people who love the angst and the sad love letters from The Notebook and the banter and teasing from 10 Things I Hate About You. Readers who fell in love with Happy Place by Emily Henry, Betting On You by Lynn Painter, and The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center.

You can preorder the ebook on Kindle and the paperback on my author’s website. Both links in my bio!

Until next time,

Sherlyn Cervantes.

Let’s be honest guys…

Writing is hard. Having the discipline to sit down and write an entire story is very difficult. It requires sacrifice, perseverance, and energy.

When I was 12, well let’s just say I was also going along with the trend of writing cringy fanfics on Wattpad.

(I had a whole collection: The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Legacies, Supernatural, Once Upon A Time, Teen Wolf, Reign, Shadowhunters, Marvel, and DC. I’m pretty sure I’m missing some other titles, but these are the ones off the top of my head.)

Moving on…

I officially began writing my own stories when I was 19… which was two years ago. I’m about to go into the three year mark. And I’m not going to talk like I’m some sort of expert, but I’m merely going to share what has worked for me and might work for you too!

If you don’t have a writing ritual, and you find yourself being inconsistent with writing—this one’s for you.

A writing ritual makes you have a consistent schedule, routine, and personalized order of actions that will benefit you and push you into the creative zone to get you writing that book.

Breaking down my writing ritual into steps

1st. Take a break. I make sure to have gotten a much needed break sometime during my day to wind down and destress. This consists of me watching a movie, cuddling with my husband, reading a book, or listening to music.

2nd. Coffee, coffee, coffee (please tell me you get the reference). Yes, this is a part of my routine almost everyday. I can hardly write without preparing myself a brown sugar with cinammon espresso.

3rd. Prepare my workspace. I usually write on my desk with candles lit, playlist blasting in my ears, and a moodboard open on Pinterest.

4th. Turn off the lights and get to writing. And yes, that simple. Even if my writing is garbage in my own head. Sometimes I write dialogue, other times I write internal monologue. What matters is that I showed up, opened the document, and added words into it. Of course I have my outline before this which helps me move the story forward so I won’t be writing gibberish.

5th. Go on breaks in between writing sprints. My eyes have become really sensitive to my screen ever since I started writing so this is very, very needed. You’ll avoid yourself so many headaches by taking 5-10 minute breaks away from all screens in between your sprints (literally).

6th. Finish writing when I’m about to enter a scene I am excited to write about. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t, but lately is has been. What I really dread about writing, at times, is getting into filler scenes or building up the tension and the moment because I want one specific scene to really hit hard. I do this in order to not burn myself out and avoid writing a crappy scene that is very important to the story.

7th. Scroll on social media. I try to be very active on my socials because ya girl wants to reach more readership so sometimes I hop on different apps to see different trends, new ideas, and grab some inspo from other influencers.

And that pretty much sums up my writing ritual.

This ritual has gotten me three books so far and is pushing me through the fourth. I’m even drafting a fifth manuscript and planning a sixth. A writer’s mind never truly stops, does it?

I’m not saying this will work for everyone, but it does for me! If you see anything that catches your eyes, go for it and try it!

Best, Sherlyn.

Hello, I’m glad you’re here.

In the past few years, I’ve come to learn that quiet beginnings are always the ones that end up roaring like an all-consuming wildfire.

who i am behind the screen

Nice to meet you, I’m Sherlyn.

Other than the obvious fact that I’m a writer, I thought it’d be a good idea to introduce who I am as a person. Whenever I’m not writing, you can find me reading (obviously).

But aside from the book world, I’m a coffee addict and poet. These two hobbies of mine have been the right channel (aside from my faith) for the difficulties I lived through as a child. I’m a very big advocate for Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. As a survivor, I can’t help but call out these issues so loudly, even in my books.

who i am as a writer

I’m a Hispanic YA Fantasy and Romance author. I self-published my debut novel, HEIRESS OF FIRE, back in August 2024. I wrote this book as an #OwnVoices story, including some of the deepest marks of my childhood as the eldest daughter (if you’re the eldest in your family, then you found your place here).

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I haven’t spoken much about my debut because I had lost hope on it for such a long time. Now I wish I had the time to revisit my manuscript, polish it, and send it out to the world again. I have the sequel to my debut collecting dust in my archives which I know many of my readers are anxious to read. Which makes me feel horrible about it.

I shelved the sequel and began to write in Romance. Specifically in New Adult. My manuscript is titled DON’T FORGET ME, she’s currently fighting her way through the query trenches. I’ve had agent and indie publisher interest on this novel. Just waiting for the responses on some agent requests.

*cries in writer*

While I wait on responses, I decided to write a sequel to DON’T FORGET ME. Who knows, what if I get a two-book deal and my publisher asks for a sequel? Then, I’ll be more than ready. Buuttttt, I got two more ideas for manuscripts which I am currently drafting.

I don’t know what to do with my racing mind.

what inspires me

Soooo many people and things inspire me. Above all, it has to be my God. That’s a given. Now aside from Him, BOOKS IS THE ANSWER. I need to read to be able to have the creativity to write. As we write, we’re reading, imagining, and getting lost in our words. We have to be powered up mentally to be able to write good stories.

Aside from reading, music is also a close one. Music is amazing! You need to make a playlist for each book you’ve written and you’ll find the words spilling right out of you.

Now, last but not least, my husband inspires me. I’m a husband girly. I’ve never gone to my family to cry about him, I’ve gone to him to cry about my family. He’s my comfort and safe space. He’s also the one who inspired a lot of the MMCs from my stories. This man doesn’t like reading, yet he says the most poetic verses without even trying.

Nonetheless, romance does exist. And if you find yourself in a spot where you doubt that, trust me… your day will come. Just wait for it.

Okay, enough rambling. It was a pleasure to do this introduction and I can’t wait to spend more time with you all on here.

Have a great day!

Best, Sherlyn.