In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, YA author Troy Hunter discusses the creation and publication journey of his novel 'Gus and the Missing Boy', which was released in February 2024. Troy shares insights into the idea that sparked his book, the lengthy process it took to write and transform it from an adult crime novel to a young adult thriller, and the critical role of pitching, competitions, and agent feedback. He offers valuable advice for aspiring authors on completing their manuscripts, dealing with rejections, and the importance of writing groups and competitions. The episode also covers the excitement and unexpected challenges of seeing his first book on the bookstore shelf, along with a sneak peek into his upcoming sequel 'Gus and the Burning Stones'.

00:00 Introduction to the Book Deal Podcast
00:52 Meet Troy Hunter: Author of 'Gus and the Missing Boy'
01:16 The Inspiration Behind 'Gus and the Missing Boy'
01:59 From Idea to Manuscript: The Writing Journey
03:36 Navigating the Publishing World
06:54 The Role of Competitions in Getting Published
12:43 Dealing with Rejections and Feedback
19:08 The Importance of Writing Groups and Courses
23:46 Seeing Your Book on the Shelf
27:01 Goodreads Reviews and Reader Feedback
28:52 Exciting News: The Sequel to 'Gus and the Missing Boy'
32:34 Top Tips for Aspiring Authors
34:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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