C. C. Castle is querying ✨
@cccastle.bsky.social
Author ✍🏻 | School Librarian 📚 | Cookie Enjoyer 🍪
Currently querying THE SOLSTICE CONTINGENCY (~121,000 words, adult space opera)
“Humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization was with those who once left us behind.”
Currently querying THE SOLSTICE CONTINGENCY (~121,000 words, adult space opera)
“Humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization was with those who once left us behind.”
Pinned
Wow! Where did all these new followers come from? Thanks so much for connecting with me! I’ve been talking about my #wip here and there but I’ve never taken a moment to dive in. So, for all you avid readers and #spaceopera fans, here’s my pitch to THE SOLSTICE CONTINGENCY that caught agents’ eyes!
Pictured: me receiving my 18th lit. agent rejection and barely having an emotional response
#querying #writingcommunity
#querying #writingcommunity
a cartoon drawing of a blue monster with a smiley face
Alt: a cartoon drawing of a blue monster with a smiley face
media.tenor.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Pictured: me receiving my 18th lit. agent rejection and barely having an emotional response
#querying #writingcommunity
#querying #writingcommunity
Reposted by C. C. Castle is querying ✨
Happy 25th Anniversary to Final Fantasy IX! I said I was gonna get this retrospective done on time, and by god I did it. Learn about how the game navigates themes of life and death, how the Hawaii studio was set up, and how the game's existence was leaked a year early! youtu.be/7a1jHvi2CJ8
The Final Fantasy IX Retrospective
YouTube video by Andrew Bluett
www.youtube.com
July 8, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Happy 25th Anniversary to Final Fantasy IX! I said I was gonna get this retrospective done on time, and by god I did it. Learn about how the game navigates themes of life and death, how the Hawaii studio was set up, and how the game's existence was leaked a year early! youtu.be/7a1jHvi2CJ8
Gotta give a huge shoutout to the wonderful editor @aealexander.bsky.social for her incredible critiques to help my query package. With her help, I've officially begun round two of querying! Here's hoping we get some bites this time!
#writing #writingcommunity #amquerying #literaryagents
#writing #writingcommunity #amquerying #literaryagents
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Gotta give a huge shoutout to the wonderful editor @aealexander.bsky.social for her incredible critiques to help my query package. With her help, I've officially begun round two of querying! Here's hoping we get some bites this time!
#writing #writingcommunity #amquerying #literaryagents
#writing #writingcommunity #amquerying #literaryagents
Whelp. 4 hours at the vet and $500 later—she’s fine. Could be simple inflammation of the stomach lining. No more salad from the lawn for this one 🥗
Had to take this one to the emergency vet tonight because she vomited blood. Been here 2.5 hours and still no word yet.
I had just gotten dinner ready too. Now I’m worried AND hungry 😩
I had just gotten dinner ready too. Now I’m worried AND hungry 😩
June 12, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Whelp. 4 hours at the vet and $500 later—she’s fine. Could be simple inflammation of the stomach lining. No more salad from the lawn for this one 🥗
Had to take this one to the emergency vet tonight because she vomited blood. Been here 2.5 hours and still no word yet.
I had just gotten dinner ready too. Now I’m worried AND hungry 😩
I had just gotten dinner ready too. Now I’m worried AND hungry 😩
June 12, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Had to take this one to the emergency vet tonight because she vomited blood. Been here 2.5 hours and still no word yet.
I had just gotten dinner ready too. Now I’m worried AND hungry 😩
I had just gotten dinner ready too. Now I’m worried AND hungry 😩
And just like that, my day gets better.
TANK vs TESLA
"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"
- WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank
"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"
- WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank
May 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
And just like that, my day gets better.
There's rejection 14 from my first 15 queries. First round is over but now that my #query is in the very capable hands of a wonderful editor, I've got a lot of faith for Round 2 this summer.
Ding, ding, agents--there's the bell--you haven't knocked me out yet!
#writingcommunity #amquerying
Ding, ding, agents--there's the bell--you haven't knocked me out yet!
#writingcommunity #amquerying
May 8, 2025 at 12:53 PM
There's rejection 14 from my first 15 queries. First round is over but now that my #query is in the very capable hands of a wonderful editor, I've got a lot of faith for Round 2 this summer.
Ding, ding, agents--there's the bell--you haven't knocked me out yet!
#writingcommunity #amquerying
Ding, ding, agents--there's the bell--you haven't knocked me out yet!
#writingcommunity #amquerying
Envy--seeing writers my age or just a shy younger who have become traditional publishing hits whilst I was still toiling in my first draft, barely 50% completed. I've learned to not compare myself to others and that my time will come, so long as I nurture myself and my work.
#CampRevPit
#CampRevPit
𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟭𝟮: #CampfireConfessions
Writing is rarely a linear journey, but all the turns and detours make us better. So, tell us: What’s something you’ve struggled with as a writer that has made you better in the long run?
#CampRevPit
Writing is rarely a linear journey, but all the turns and detours make us better. So, tell us: What’s something you’ve struggled with as a writer that has made you better in the long run?
#CampRevPit
May 2, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Envy--seeing writers my age or just a shy younger who have become traditional publishing hits whilst I was still toiling in my first draft, barely 50% completed. I've learned to not compare myself to others and that my time will come, so long as I nurture myself and my work.
#CampRevPit
#CampRevPit
To lay down my sword is to lay down my life.
To remove my armor is to remove my soul.
To let my blood be drawn is to wash away my existence.
To surrender my life is to submit to damnation.
You shall not be the bringer of my Death,
For I have brought Death to you.
To remove my armor is to remove my soul.
To let my blood be drawn is to wash away my existence.
To surrender my life is to submit to damnation.
You shall not be the bringer of my Death,
For I have brought Death to you.
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭: #ScavengerHunt
Because no camp is complete without a scavenger hunt: share a line, an image, or an object in your story that hides a secret, easter egg, or a twist.
Because no camp is complete without a scavenger hunt: share a line, an image, or an object in your story that hides a secret, easter egg, or a twist.
May 1, 2025 at 6:23 PM
To lay down my sword is to lay down my life.
To remove my armor is to remove my soul.
To let my blood be drawn is to wash away my existence.
To surrender my life is to submit to damnation.
You shall not be the bringer of my Death,
For I have brought Death to you.
To remove my armor is to remove my soul.
To let my blood be drawn is to wash away my existence.
To surrender my life is to submit to damnation.
You shall not be the bringer of my Death,
For I have brought Death to you.
This is a fun prompt!
#1. I started writing The Solstice Contingency for my high school senior project
#2. The story began as a "Halo" fanfic
#3. I vacationed to Palermo, Sicily (the initial setting) to research the cities landmarks and other notable features
#1. I started writing The Solstice Contingency for my high school senior project
#2. The story began as a "Halo" fanfic
#3. I vacationed to Palermo, Sicily (the initial setting) to research the cities landmarks and other notable features
𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟵: #CampTrivia
Tuesday is Trivia time! Post 3 weird facts about your WIP: 2 truths, 1 lie.
Let us guess the fake. Go, #CampRevPit! 🔥
Tuesday is Trivia time! Post 3 weird facts about your WIP: 2 truths, 1 lie.
Let us guess the fake. Go, #CampRevPit! 🔥
April 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This is a fun prompt!
#1. I started writing The Solstice Contingency for my high school senior project
#2. The story began as a "Halo" fanfic
#3. I vacationed to Palermo, Sicily (the initial setting) to research the cities landmarks and other notable features
#1. I started writing The Solstice Contingency for my high school senior project
#2. The story began as a "Halo" fanfic
#3. I vacationed to Palermo, Sicily (the initial setting) to research the cities landmarks and other notable features
April 28, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The true "villains" of the series don't appear in Book 1, but I'm sure the rabid, marauding (and sometimes cannibalistic) aliens attacking Earth may have some choice words for how many of them are slaughtered...
#CampRevPit
#CampRevPit
𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟰: #VillainVoices
Good morning, #CampRevPit! Today, we give your villains a moment in the spotlight.
What would 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 say your book is about?
Good morning, #CampRevPit! Today, we give your villains a moment in the spotlight.
What would 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 say your book is about?
April 24, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The true "villains" of the series don't appear in Book 1, but I'm sure the rabid, marauding (and sometimes cannibalistic) aliens attacking Earth may have some choice words for how many of them are slaughtered...
#CampRevPit
#CampRevPit
MC 1: “I swear if I ever see my therapist again they’ll be getting a full-year’s worth of work within a single session.” -- President Lisbeth Wolf
MC 2: "A selfish people is one that falls under their own weight. The balance of the galaxy must come first." -- Grand Empress Sin'Yeh
MC 2: "A selfish people is one that falls under their own weight. The balance of the galaxy must come first." -- Grand Empress Sin'Yeh
DAY 3: #𝗢𝗻𝗲𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗠𝗖
Good morning, Campers! Today, we focus on your MC. Share a line from your manuscript that tells us all we need to know about your MC's personality.
Good morning, Campers! Today, we focus on your MC. Share a line from your manuscript that tells us all we need to know about your MC's personality.
April 24, 2025 at 1:46 AM
MC 1: “I swear if I ever see my therapist again they’ll be getting a full-year’s worth of work within a single session.” -- President Lisbeth Wolf
MC 2: "A selfish people is one that falls under their own weight. The balance of the galaxy must come first." -- Grand Empress Sin'Yeh
MC 2: "A selfish people is one that falls under their own weight. The balance of the galaxy must come first." -- Grand Empress Sin'Yeh
Refining this dang query! How does one condense a 122,000 word space opera into a single page and according to #10Queries feedback, shave off 200 words? Gah! Help me fellow writers, you are my only hope!
After #camprevpit is over, I plan on sending out my second round of queries!
After #camprevpit is over, I plan on sending out my second round of queries!
DAY 1 #𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗼𝗳𝗳
Good morning, scribbler bugs! Let's kick off #CampRevPit with some positive vibes!
Tell us—what will you be working on during Camp? Pitch it in any way, shape, or form that fits your mood.
Good morning, scribbler bugs! Let's kick off #CampRevPit with some positive vibes!
Tell us—what will you be working on during Camp? Pitch it in any way, shape, or form that fits your mood.
April 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Refining this dang query! How does one condense a 122,000 word space opera into a single page and according to #10Queries feedback, shave off 200 words? Gah! Help me fellow writers, you are my only hope!
After #camprevpit is over, I plan on sending out my second round of queries!
After #camprevpit is over, I plan on sending out my second round of queries!
Not sure if I missed my cabin selection but I'm already in contact with my #camprevpit folks and so excited to work with them!
a cartoon character is sitting in a tent in front of a window
Alt: a cartoon character is sitting in a tent in front of a window
media.tenor.com
April 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Not sure if I missed my cabin selection but I'm already in contact with my #camprevpit folks and so excited to work with them!
Rejection lucky #13 just came in. If there’s anything that #RevPit has taught me, it’s that even though my query caught the attention of one agent during a one-on-one pitch, I still have a lot to change and adjust before it can really shine. Here’s hoping I get more luck in the second round!
April 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Rejection lucky #13 just came in. If there’s anything that #RevPit has taught me, it’s that even though my query caught the attention of one agent during a one-on-one pitch, I still have a lot to change and adjust before it can really shine. Here’s hoping I get more luck in the second round!
Who are all the scifi buffs joining me in #CampRevPit? Looking forward to swapping stories and feedback! My space opera ain't gonna pitch itself!
a cartoon shows a woman saying uh we got sci-fi stuff happening over here
Alt: a cartoon shows a woman saying uh we got sci-fi stuff happening over here
media.tenor.com
April 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Who are all the scifi buffs joining me in #CampRevPit? Looking forward to swapping stories and feedback! My space opera ain't gonna pitch itself!
And here I though Q14 was mine! I'm honored that I was chosen for #10Queries. I clearly still have a lot of work to do before my query is ready--a 122k space opera with three MCs and an a huge world is hard to sum up in just a few hundred words!
Thank you @aealexander.bsky.social for everything!
Thank you @aealexander.bsky.social for everything!
Q36: Adult sci-fi. Avoid editorializing; let the agent decide for themselves how they feel about your proposal. Start with character instead of worldbuilding. Try to cut about 200 words from the plot summary. #RevPit #10Queries
April 14, 2025 at 9:52 PM
And here I though Q14 was mine! I'm honored that I was chosen for #10Queries. I clearly still have a lot of work to do before my query is ready--a 122k space opera with three MCs and an a huge world is hard to sum up in just a few hundred words!
Thank you @aealexander.bsky.social for everything!
Thank you @aealexander.bsky.social for everything!
Huge shoutout to all the winners and runners-up for #RevPit! Y'all should be proud of yourselves and I wish you all the best in your revisions!
For the rest of us down here--fear not, for we too will find our editing/agenting champions some day. Until that day comes, keep writing~
Ad Astra
For the rest of us down here--fear not, for we too will find our editing/agenting champions some day. Until that day comes, keep writing~
Ad Astra
April 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Huge shoutout to all the winners and runners-up for #RevPit! Y'all should be proud of yourselves and I wish you all the best in your revisions!
For the rest of us down here--fear not, for we too will find our editing/agenting champions some day. Until that day comes, keep writing~
Ad Astra
For the rest of us down here--fear not, for we too will find our editing/agenting champions some day. Until that day comes, keep writing~
Ad Astra
I interviewed late scifi author Greg Bear for my high school senior project—which would go on to become the novel I am currently querying. Bear had given me some great advice that I continue to follow: “No matter what, keep writing. Always keep writing.”
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPitWaiting T-1
TOMORROW is the day, friends. I am honored to have provided entertainment, or at the very least, distraction for this past month.
Let's not be strangers after this 🤗
TOMORROW is the day, friends. I am honored to have provided entertainment, or at the very least, distraction for this past month.
Let's not be strangers after this 🤗
April 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I interviewed late scifi author Greg Bear for my high school senior project—which would go on to become the novel I am currently querying. Bear had given me some great advice that I continue to follow: “No matter what, keep writing. Always keep writing.”
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
Reposted by C. C. Castle is querying ✨
Had a bit of time, made a thing.
For everyone taking part in #RevPit 2025, here’s a starter pack if you’d like to stay in touch.
If I’ve missed you - it’s not you, it’s me. Just comment below and I’ll add you. Likewise, if you want out, let me know.
#RevPitWaiting #CampRevPit
go.bsky.app/4K7hXAJ
For everyone taking part in #RevPit 2025, here’s a starter pack if you’d like to stay in touch.
If I’ve missed you - it’s not you, it’s me. Just comment below and I’ll add you. Likewise, if you want out, let me know.
#RevPitWaiting #CampRevPit
go.bsky.app/4K7hXAJ
April 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Had a bit of time, made a thing.
For everyone taking part in #RevPit 2025, here’s a starter pack if you’d like to stay in touch.
If I’ve missed you - it’s not you, it’s me. Just comment below and I’ll add you. Likewise, if you want out, let me know.
#RevPitWaiting #CampRevPit
go.bsky.app/4K7hXAJ
For everyone taking part in #RevPit 2025, here’s a starter pack if you’d like to stay in touch.
If I’ve missed you - it’s not you, it’s me. Just comment below and I’ll add you. Likewise, if you want out, let me know.
#RevPitWaiting #CampRevPit
go.bsky.app/4K7hXAJ
Revise that query and get rejected some more (please agents, have mercy)! Maybe I’ll finally submit some short stories I’ve been sitting on since college.
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPitWaiting T-3
Even after #RevPit winners are announced, our writing journeys are far from over. We'll still be walking down our paths, just with upgraded tools thanks to the editors & our community.
So what's next for you?
Even after #RevPit winners are announced, our writing journeys are far from over. We'll still be walking down our paths, just with upgraded tools thanks to the editors & our community.
So what's next for you?
April 11, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Revise that query and get rejected some more (please agents, have mercy)! Maybe I’ll finally submit some short stories I’ve been sitting on since college.
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
My writing process is akin to a monkey on a treadmill: confused and tripping around. I get to the end result eventually but there’s a lot of pain along the way
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPitWaiting Day 24!
I might've pulled another switcheroo... There was a slight miscalculation on my part and I hadn't anticipated that virtually everyone talked about their hobbies in their personal intro.
So #RevPit ... the dreaded question:
I might've pulled another switcheroo... There was a slight miscalculation on my part and I hadn't anticipated that virtually everyone talked about their hobbies in their personal intro.
So #RevPit ... the dreaded question:
April 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM
My writing process is akin to a monkey on a treadmill: confused and tripping around. I get to the end result eventually but there’s a lot of pain along the way
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
#RevPit #RevPitWaiting
Not me reading a #10Queries and switching tabs to my query and swapping back to the editor and swapping back to the query because even if this ain't me it sure does resonate! #RevPit
(I'm totally not in the middle of class and distracted right now while my stoods work on their projects)
(I'm totally not in the middle of class and distracted right now while my stoods work on their projects)
a man standing in front of a bulletin board with papers on it including one that says pepe
Alt: a man standing in front of a bulletin board with papers on it including one that says pepe
media.tenor.com
April 7, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Not me reading a #10Queries and switching tabs to my query and swapping back to the editor and swapping back to the query because even if this ain't me it sure does resonate! #RevPit
(I'm totally not in the middle of class and distracted right now while my stoods work on their projects)
(I'm totally not in the middle of class and distracted right now while my stoods work on their projects)
Saw this on Reddit and had to share.
Twelve rejections so far and I'm sure many more to come. Oh, the qualms of a debut space opera author.
(I've seen too many a writer unprepared for this reality)
#writers #writingcommunity #revpit
Twelve rejections so far and I'm sure many more to come. Oh, the qualms of a debut space opera author.
(I've seen too many a writer unprepared for this reality)
#writers #writingcommunity #revpit
April 6, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Saw this on Reddit and had to share.
Twelve rejections so far and I'm sure many more to come. Oh, the qualms of a debut space opera author.
(I've seen too many a writer unprepared for this reality)
#writers #writingcommunity #revpit
Twelve rejections so far and I'm sure many more to come. Oh, the qualms of a debut space opera author.
(I've seen too many a writer unprepared for this reality)
#writers #writingcommunity #revpit