I've been working away at a Market Plan which I need to include with the manuscript submittal to my prospective agent, and in gathering statistics for the market plan I learned about the huge number of Iraq war vets who have committed suicide called a silent epidemic because our government wants to keep these facts under wraps. When the news networks began reporting the names of those killed in the war I cried for the poor parents. But to have your child survive the war and come home so badly damaged mentally that the only way to take away the pain is suicide, must be beyond devastating. Even though I've been there to some degree, I cannot imagine how painful this new epidemic must be. Also the statistics show an alarming rise of suicides of children aged 10 to 15 with a greater rise for girls. It's bad enough that children join gangs and kill each other because of gang rivalries, but to turn to suicide at such young ages is a catastrophe. I just don't know how to deal with these … [Read more...]
A foot in the door
Life is always a series of choices. I had to make another one this weekend. But it was a good decision to have to make. I got a positive response from the one and only agent I queried, saying she would be happy to read my manuscript. And, I'm totally stoked! But, one of her conditions is that books she considers must not be under consideration by a publisher. Well, I submitted to a publisher way back in January and still haven't received any feedback. So, rather than gum up the works and have to explain all that to the agent, I decided to withdraw my book from their list of submissions -- unless, of course, they can give me an answer in the next week. I wonder how they'll react to that. In fact, I wonder if they've ever had that happen before. But, I'm sure I've made the right decision. In fact, now that I've looked at this publisher's books over the last years, my book is definitely not a fit. Now is the true test. Getting a foot in the door is great. Can I get a seat in the … [Read more...]
Writing projects
I'm still waiting to hear from Kore Press. In the meantime I submitted 26 pages of poetry to the 2008 New Women's Voices chapbook competition, and I'm getting five poems ready to submit to a poetry anthology written by women over 60. This one is looking for recent work giving full and honest voice to women's lives. So I'll try out a piece I'm working on here. Is is a full and honest voice? Well, that's for you to decide. Invisible They look through me, the brawny young guys flexing their biceps as they reach for the shoulder press. Their eyes fix on the girl in sleek black tights with boobs bursting out of her bra. Strong and slim and self confident she struts past, tilting her head back to take a swig of water. They look past me, the sweaty runners in tank tops, Adidas shorts and hairy calf muscles that form a perfect Vee They see the far away figure on roller blades with flowing blonde hair showing more tan than thong. Fit and firm she moves closer, smiles … [Read more...]
One step at a time
I've taken the first step toward getting my book published. I got my first book submittal out -- a book synopsis and the first 50 pages -- as requested. I know it's going to be a long, long process, but it has to start sometime. I decided to submit to a publisher, Kore Press, that specializes in women writers during its January open submission period before submitting to any agents. Kore will send me a written critique even if it isn't interested, and if it is, it will ask to see the whole book. Just meeting this milestone is so exciting. I was so busy at work the last three weeks, I had doubts that I'd make the January 31 postmark deadline. Well, I did with four days to spare. And now that the big work push has subsided a bit, I'm getting my life back together grocery shopping, medical appointments, a facial, maybe a peel I'm looking into one called the Vi peel that is supposed to do wonders for aging skin and only needs to be repeated three to four times a year. In the meantime, … [Read more...]
To dos for the week
So, now that Hanukah and Christmas are over on to what I need to do to make the best use of my week away from work. First submit to poetry journals and contests. Second, work at finding an agent for my memoir write letters to anyone I can think of who may have an in with an agent. Third, meet with my writing coach and work on any necessary changes to my manuscript. Fouth, decide if I need to have someone else read through the manuscript. Fifth, get the manuscript ready for the Kore Press open submission. Besides all that I have a list of more movies to see. Today's movie, Charlie Wilson's War, was great. Aaron Sorkin is a real master. The other movies on my list are Atonement, Savages, Sweeny Todd, and the Great Debaters. I don't know if I enough nights left in the week to see them all. Needless to say, I don't know the meaning of the word, RELAX!!!! … [Read more...]
