Today, I’d like you to meet Silvia M. Wynter, author of “Prey of Angels”.
A modern-day whodunnit, Prey of Angels is part thriller, part mystery. It spans three continents, and grips the reader with high-quality plotting and writing.
Surprisingly, this is Silvia’s first published novel. But don’t let that fool you. She wrote two books before Prey of Angels – they just weren’t picked up by agents. That didn’t stop her from writing more.
“Between the three books I’ve written, I’ve queried at least two hundred agents. Most don’t respond at all, though a couple were interested in Prey of Angels. My sense has always been that most literary agents/agencies do not see diversity as selling books. One actually told me that.”
Set mainly in Toronto, the story moves between Canada, Africa and North Korea, as it seeks to answer the question: who are the masterminds behind the trafficking of children for the sex trade in North America and the harvesting of human organs?
With decades of experience in Canada’s child welfare field, Silvia writes on this topic with the confidence of one with up-close knowledge.
“I wanted to spotlight the vulnerability of undocumented minors from around the world who can easily be exploited by pimps, criminals, and in this case organ harvesters/sellers. Many undocumented youth go missing and are never found.”
“What difference do you think this book will make to the world?” I ask her. The answer is disheartening:
“None…because these are youth from Third world countries, black, brown, and other racialized minorities who do not normally receive the same attention as their mainstream counterparts.”
Reader reactions to the book, however, have been strongly positive.
“People like the diversity of characters and that it takes place in Toronto. They really like the unexpected twists and turns.”
It’s a great feeling for a newly-published author – to hear that people really like your very first book: “Feels terrific. Response has been better than I expected. Wish I knew how to reach a larger audience.”
The reactions to this book have uplifted her and Silvia is now thinking about the best way to get her other books published.
“I have two ready to be published, but I’m wondering if pursuing traditional publishing is worth one last shot. I’m wondering if literary agents might be more open to considering more BIPOC writers, stories, and artists, given the Black Lives Matter movement and more awareness of White privilege.”
What is she working on now?
“Started a fourth book a year ago but I haven’t been able to get back to it to finish it yet. I’ve been editing like crazy to make sure the other two, ‘Burdened Legacy’ and ‘In the Shadow’ are ready to go once I figure out which route will serve me best.
“This new one is about the relationship between two university students who are forced together by unforseen circumstances but whose political beliefs can get them killed. He’s white and has Far Right connections and leanings – she’s black, military, and a social activist. Together they’re dangerous, and in love.”
Congrats, Silvia!
Cynthia Reyes 
Yay for Silvia!!!!! I am getting a lot of first hand experience with publishing – and it is mostly bad.
I’m kind of new to this myself, and believe me…it’s hard work. Someone told me once that writing a book is just a piece of the journey. Unfortunately, I think they were right. But if I can hang in there, you can too. Good luck with your journey.
Silvia
Silvia..my background is construction and men.. they are so much nicer than the people in publishing..it blows my mind..stay strong 💗💗💗
Kudos Sylvia for caring and writing a book about these at risk kids. Good luck with publishing the other two books.
Thank you. I’m planning on publishing ‘In the Shadow’ in January 2021 – and the second -‘Burdened Legacy,’ in May 2021. If you’re interested in knowing more about these, please feel free to check out my website smwynter.com. Wish me luck!
Good luck! 🙏
Well done on your tenacity. Get a book accepted and published is a challenge. Not sure if this is why so many go down the self publishing root? Good luck with your other books🤩
Thank you. I’m excited about what’s to come.
Phew! Sounds like quite a book. Thanks for the introduction.
Hi Laurie, I’m encouraged by the reviews and reception I am receiving. Hope you get a chance to read it. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I will put it on my TBR list! Best of luck! I, too, am an indie author, and I know how difficult it is to get the word out and sell books.
Thank you Laurie. I’ll do the same. Good luck to you also.
Congratulations to Silvia for keeping going and publishing that novel. Good luck with the others too. In the UK there do seem to be a lot of call outs for writers from under-represented groups in publishing and I’m hoping it will make a difference.
I’m hoping so, too. And thanks for the kudos.
I’m seeing a lot of those call-outs for marginalized voices in the US as well.
Hopefully these call outs will amount to more BIPOC authors getting further in the literary world. Time will tell, but I’m hopeful.
From what I’ve seen, I’m hopeful as well.
Thank you for the introduction, Cynthia, and congratulations on getting published, Silvia! I hope you find an easier path publishing the other books, Silvia. I don’t know if Calyx Press down here might be able to help.
https://www.calyxpress.org/mission/#
Thanks Lavinia. I’ll check it out, but either way, I will publish the other two. I’m just getting started.
I think this book will say the not much known horrors existing in this world about children.
Love ❤
Michel
I hope so. Human trafficking is horrible.
This sounds like a very important book that needs a wide audience.
That’s my goal. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
You’re most welcome.
The plot of Silvia’s latest book sounds fascinating to me. –Curt
Thanks Curt!
Congratulations Sylvia on your book and
On shining a spotlight on the issue of trafficking.
I also went the self publishing root.
Thanks Annette
Silvia, What a difficult but crucial subject to tackle. I hope your book is widely read, and especially by people who can work at stopping this. I read the first page on line (Amazon) and am already gripped by the vivid language.
Thank you, Diane. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it if you get a chance to read it. It’s definitely a dark subject.
Cynthia, you’re always so generous with your airspace. Thank you for that and for introducing us to another writer of color whose story sounds quite interesting. I give Silvia so much credit–200+ agent submissions is a lot! But it’s now paid off and her work is being read–with your generous help in terms of boosting awareness. It’s a virtuous circle and I’m loving it:).
Hi Candidkay
Thank you for the kudos, both to me, and to Cynthia for highlighting my story.
Being an author of colour can come with its challenges related to traditional representation. And sadly, numerous submissions like mine are not unusual, even though mine occurred over 8 years, related to three different books, and involved many of the same agents, one of whom offered me representation for Prey of Angels, but which I declined for specific reasons. I later self-published and am thrilled with how things are going. I just wish I had taken Cynthia’s advice and self published sooner.
She is a wise owl and a good egg :-). And publishing is some thing I need to talk to her about again. She gave me some sage advice years ago and I put things on a back burner. It’s time to resurrect them. I’d love to chat with you someday for any wisdom you can offer. But first, I think I need to check out your book. I am sure it feels wonderful to have it out there in the world!
Any time! And thank you.