(no subject)
I guess you learn something everyday...sometimes the hard way! I was quite a ways into this post, or what I thought was this post, when I realized I needed some other information. I thought I could open another page over this, get the info I needed and use the "back" arrow to bring me back to here. When I got back, it had all disappeared! Like many of us who grew up in the pre-computer world, I stumble now and then. But as it is supposed to be near 100 degrees to day, I won't mind sitting in the fairly cool house and redoing it. Tomorrow, "they" predict it will be over 100. I have to work a half day or so, and I'm really glad that I work in the early morning. I should be back home before the temperature starts to peak.
I think it was Tuesday when I last posted and mentioned that my new web-site, www.stoneislandseastories.com was up. In that, I also mentioned that I needed to print out the current issue of the REAR ENGINE REVIEW, the Inland Northwest Corvair Club's newsletter and get it in the mail. I didn't get to it then, and on Wednesday I spent my afternoon (computer time) helping the SASP (www.spokaneauthors.org) secretary and web-master update the site. We got a lot done, but as usual in that sort of endeavor, there is a lot more to do. Thursday I became too engrossed in internet stuff that I again did not get the newsletter printed. I did however get the e-mail version of it sent out, and finally printed the RER last night. I mailed it this morning.
Yesterday I received back one of the copies of the manuscript for SAILING DANGEROUS WATERS, my second book. Helen, the "first reader" who had had it, had this to say about it. "Did I enjoy reading your book? YES! I also was fascinated by the sailing terminology and the maneuvering of the ships. To me, the book was CLEVERLY done, with many interesting events occurring that kept me interested through-out. I felt as though I was with Pierce and his crew every moment.
"I have only one area where I was hoping to 'hurry up and bet Pierce back to England.' Pages 317 - 329 could be shortened in that confrontation of ships.
"The ending was excellent with Evangeline, and left me wondering how that was going to work out with Pierce's sea personality in the long run."
I consider Helen to be an ideal first reader. Not because she has such nice things to say about my work, but because we have never met. She is an acquaintance of the assistant general manager at work, and hence we "know" each other through him. She is also highly educated, majoring in English and teaching school for several years.
Speaking of having nice things said about one's work, I received another rejection letter a few days ago. While it was a rejection, it was not a form letter, but one addressed, right there on the page, to me. And in part is said: "...I want you to know that your work was carefully reviews and considered.
You are a very talented writer; however, my agency just does not have the resources to represent all of the good manuscripts that come across my desk. I encourage..."
While the rejection part is certainly disappointing, the praise of my writing abilities tends to ease the pain. The letter as a whole indicates that the entire submission, three chapters, synopsis, and author bio, was read and evaluated. Had it been a form rejection letter, I could never have been sure that the agent didn't just glance at it and say, "Next!"
Other than sending along the material requested by the agent I pitched to at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association's Conference (www.pnwa.org) last month, I've not done any querying as of late. I understand from Anne Mini and the AUTHOR! AUTHOR! blog (www.annemini.com) that during this time of year, a good portion of the publishing industry, including literary agents, goes on vacation. According to Anne, one should wait until after Labor Day to resume querying or sending submissions. I'd even say that one should wait an additional week or so, and give the industry folks a chance to wade through all the queries and submissions that have piled up during their absence. So, I'll wait and perhaps take advantage of the time interval to revamp and revise my query letter a little.
Additionally, if any are considering the self-publishing route, Anne's most recent post features guest blogger Janiece Hopper, who took that road with her book.
I can also announce that I've finally finished reading VICTORY OF EAGLES by
naominovik. Like other followers of the TEMERAIRE series, I'm now awaiting the next story. I've started reading a book that I bought at the conference, written by a fellow PNWA member. For the life of me, I do not remember his name, but the book is entitled EVERGREEN IS MOVING. I'm not that far long in reading it, but I'm enjoying it tremendously.
Now, I think I'll spend the rest of the afternoon working on stuff to eventually add to the web site. Again, if you happen to "drop by" to see it, and would care to offer your opinion of it, feel free to leave a comment here.
Dave
I think it was Tuesday when I last posted and mentioned that my new web-site, www.stoneislandseastories.com was up. In that, I also mentioned that I needed to print out the current issue of the REAR ENGINE REVIEW, the Inland Northwest Corvair Club's newsletter and get it in the mail. I didn't get to it then, and on Wednesday I spent my afternoon (computer time) helping the SASP (www.spokaneauthors.org) secretary and web-master update the site. We got a lot done, but as usual in that sort of endeavor, there is a lot more to do. Thursday I became too engrossed in internet stuff that I again did not get the newsletter printed. I did however get the e-mail version of it sent out, and finally printed the RER last night. I mailed it this morning.
Yesterday I received back one of the copies of the manuscript for SAILING DANGEROUS WATERS, my second book. Helen, the "first reader" who had had it, had this to say about it. "Did I enjoy reading your book? YES! I also was fascinated by the sailing terminology and the maneuvering of the ships. To me, the book was CLEVERLY done, with many interesting events occurring that kept me interested through-out. I felt as though I was with Pierce and his crew every moment.
"I have only one area where I was hoping to 'hurry up and bet Pierce back to England.' Pages 317 - 329 could be shortened in that confrontation of ships.
"The ending was excellent with Evangeline, and left me wondering how that was going to work out with Pierce's sea personality in the long run."
I consider Helen to be an ideal first reader. Not because she has such nice things to say about my work, but because we have never met. She is an acquaintance of the assistant general manager at work, and hence we "know" each other through him. She is also highly educated, majoring in English and teaching school for several years.
Speaking of having nice things said about one's work, I received another rejection letter a few days ago. While it was a rejection, it was not a form letter, but one addressed, right there on the page, to me. And in part is said: "...I want you to know that your work was carefully reviews and considered.
You are a very talented writer; however, my agency just does not have the resources to represent all of the good manuscripts that come across my desk. I encourage..."
While the rejection part is certainly disappointing, the praise of my writing abilities tends to ease the pain. The letter as a whole indicates that the entire submission, three chapters, synopsis, and author bio, was read and evaluated. Had it been a form rejection letter, I could never have been sure that the agent didn't just glance at it and say, "Next!"
Other than sending along the material requested by the agent I pitched to at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association's Conference (www.pnwa.org) last month, I've not done any querying as of late. I understand from Anne Mini and the AUTHOR! AUTHOR! blog (www.annemini.com) that during this time of year, a good portion of the publishing industry, including literary agents, goes on vacation. According to Anne, one should wait until after Labor Day to resume querying or sending submissions. I'd even say that one should wait an additional week or so, and give the industry folks a chance to wade through all the queries and submissions that have piled up during their absence. So, I'll wait and perhaps take advantage of the time interval to revamp and revise my query letter a little.
Additionally, if any are considering the self-publishing route, Anne's most recent post features guest blogger Janiece Hopper, who took that road with her book.
I can also announce that I've finally finished reading VICTORY OF EAGLES by
naominovik. Like other followers of the TEMERAIRE series, I'm now awaiting the next story. I've started reading a book that I bought at the conference, written by a fellow PNWA member. For the life of me, I do not remember his name, but the book is entitled EVERGREEN IS MOVING. I'm not that far long in reading it, but I'm enjoying it tremendously.
Now, I think I'll spend the rest of the afternoon working on stuff to eventually add to the web site. Again, if you happen to "drop by" to see it, and would care to offer your opinion of it, feel free to leave a comment here.
Dave