A New Direction

Looking ahead to 2010 I've chosen to pursue a new direction in my attempts to get my novel "In Dangerous Waters" published. My efforts to capture an agent and publisher have proven unsuccessful. Fifty queries/submissions & 50 rejections over the past 2+ years. Time's awastin' it seems. Time to try another route.

I've tentatively decided to pursue self-publishing and have begun to investigate publishers providing that service. Have found four so far that might meet my needs. Intend to pursue those, and others that may come to my attending, in early 2010. I'd like to be able to offer the novel to all interested parties before July 1 if possible. It's a good story, well written I believe and so assessed by a distinguished writers critique group. My editor, Elisabeth Tuck, has turned an inherently sound story into one readers will enjoy - perhaps even a "page turner" (so sayeth this perennial optimist.)

I welcome input from any reader who has taken this route to publishing - whether positive or negative. I'm exploring and welcome your perceptions and experiences.

May 2010 prove to be a great year for you and yours.

Short Story Award Winner

Short Story Award. Received a phone call followed by email last week to tell me my short story submitted to the Berkeley Branch of CWC had won first alternate (essentially 4th place). I've been invited to join their branch meeting in December 2009 to read the story, "The Pink Letter" to the assembled branch members.

The story has gone to several contests in the past. This is its first win - or almost a win anyway.

No others are pending and no other short stories in the works.

Update: Still seeking an agent for my novel "In Dangerous Waters" (92,000 words). No responses to queries so far this year that do more than advise "not for us." Will continue. However, listened to a presentation at the Tri-Valley Writers luncheon today praising WingspanPress.com as a great source for self-publishing. Believe I may seriously explore that avenue since agent fishing hasn't worked to date.

I'm working on a new novel as yet unnamed. Decided to use the main character from the first novel and reintroduce him to a scene set about 6 years later. Also am adding some mystery along with some Navy pilot lingo and, (surprised?) some submarine lore as well. Recruited an old Navy submariner friend for the latter. Expect there will be another 25-30 chapters before THE END.

I'm finding writing and editing what I've written is a satisfying "time sink" too often interrupted by things I must do (like bills, etc.), or "honey do's". Discussing the craft with other authors reveals I'm not alone. It's frustrating when many say they can fit in 5 to 20 minutes of productive writing whenever they see a gap in their schedules. I need to warm up for a period of 10-30 minutes or so to really be productive. The exception is when I have a burning issue or problem solution that's dying to jump from my fingertips and I'm unable to do an immediate dump. Fortunately these don't come in the middle of the night.

The erratic flow of rejections into my mailbox continues. Most are impersonal and I appreciate the job of the agent/reviewer. What I've submitted does not seem to have "cut the mustard." I intend an intensive review of my query letters. Perhaps I'm not presenting the merits of my novel well. I've invested too much time in this novel to quit now, but my artificial deadline of 31 Dec for moving to the self-published family grows closer.

While waiting I've begun two new novels - that's right two. One, dealing with a United Nations escapade requires much more research than I realized at the outset. The second novel picks up on a new adventure for my protagonist from the initial novel, Navy related with some intrigue. That effort is through 8 chapters so far with another 25-30 or so to go I expect.

I'm always on the lookout for an interested agent or perhaps a small publisher who would entertain a tension-filled novel set in the bigger realm of the Korean War. My research has so far f ailed to identify ANY novel set at that time dealing with the contributions of the U.S. Navy surface warfare ships, and the men who made it happen. Submarines and minesweepers have been addressed. But not the men of the destroyer Navy. I don't want them to be the forgotten men of the forgotten war. Their contributions deserve much more.

Still trying

They told me selling the story would be more difficult than writing it. I said pshaw! No Problem. They also told me it takes a LONG-TIME to write a good story and even longer to edit it--especially a first novel. Pshaw again! They added you're never through writing it - unless you stash it away somewhere inaccessible. Should have listened. But you know me - the perennial optimist. So I continue to send out queries (and get preformatted rejections, some polite, some otherwise, and many who don't bother to respond at all.) My queries in search of an agent (and ultimately a publisher) will continue.

Really doesn't matter. I've enjoyed the writing experience creating "In Dangerous Waters." I've been inspired to continually improve thanks to many other writers and especially my editor Elisabeth Tuck. Although I have little to show others for it now, it has been time well spent.

Thanks for your patience in reading this drivel. One day I can add a "SOLD - AT LAST" entry. Check back with me then - PLEASE.

January 19, 2009

It's been longer than initially intended to add to this BLOG. No apologies. The novel "In Dangerous Waters" is finished - at last. It's 95,000 words, 500 manuscript pages, and contains the composite advice, guidance, and imagination of the other seven members of the exciting critique group of professional writers who were good enough to permit me to join them.

The critique group experience has been invigorating in a manner not expected. Most of them are of an age they could have been my children. I felt as though I was the child instead, listening intently to their humor guidance and gentle criticisms and suggestions. That was an experience I had never expected at my relatively advanced age. It has helped roll back the years in a pleasant manner, in a pace that was comfortable (although there were times I had to scramble to get my submissions to the others for the upcoming meeting.

For those of you who might wonder how our critique group operated, we followed some simple rules. The group had agreed to a maximum membership of eight. I joined as the second man of the group, the oldest and least experienced in the genre of choice. We met every Thursday evening at the home of one of the members 7:00PM to 8:30PM (no more, no less). Hosting rotated among the members. The host lead the meeting. We usually had 2-5 pieces (20 page max each) to review and comment. The submissions were sent to each member via email not later than one week before the next scheduled meeting. Over time the membership changed plus or minus one.

So, with the writing of the novel completed and all edits incorporated, the search for an agent and an eventual publisher has begun - has in fact been underway about 3 months as I write this post. I understand now why many fellow writers have told me that writing the story was the easy part of the job. Combining 95,000 words into a single spaced, single page synopsis is a challenge greater than anticipated.

Now, on to the next story while I pursue an agent and publisher. Have several ideas but haven't selected one so far.