Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Hi Everyone:
    
     It's been about six weeks since my last post and I'm still waiting for my publisher to move my novel, Alex, Peanut Butter, and Me, out of the "Coming Soon" list and onto his "Available Now" list. I just sent him a note and I'm hoping he'll respond right away.
     In my previous blog, I mentioned that I had sent the manuscript for The Unvarnished Truth to a literary agent. Story in a nutshell--rejected. Once again I am actively seeking someone who feels passionately about this story. I now have 51 unanswered queries out there (123 sent since April of last year). I feel that the advent of the movie Selma should improve the book's chances.
     In case you are wondering, yes, I am also seeking an agent who likes Young Adult and New Adult stories for my three volume trilogy, Adventure of Silent Sam. There are 26 unanswered queries about those. (Does anyone have a special in with a literary agent?)
     Every time I get a rejection notice I send at least one new query out. I don't take rejections personally, I try to treat this as a process and my response of a new query for each turn down helps to keep it that way.
     In the meantime, beside reading the 3rd volume of Adventure of Silent Sam to my critique group at the rate of a chapter a week, I have started writing a new novel. It's a family saga that I'm really excited about. So far I've completed only eight chapters, so I have a long way to go. I shall keep you posted as to my progress.
     Here is a great quote from author, Mavis Gallant. "Writing is like a love affair: The beginning is the best part."