Check in on this page to see up-to-date documentation on where I am in the technical aspects of my quest to be a traditionally published author.
GENERAL STATS:
GENERAL STATS:
Written Word:
Number of Published Works: 1 short story
Number of Creative Works Pitched to Publishers/Agents: 5 (four novels, one short story)
Number of Contests Entered: 3 (including 1 finalist position)
Personal
Stress Level (scale of zero to ten): 4
Optimism Level (scale of Nihilist to Pollyanna): Charlie Brown
Current Self-Care Strategies: Travel while the sun (sort of) shines!
This is a photo of my first-ever rejection letter. One probably has a better chance of winning the lottery than getting one's first novel published on the first try, so I went ahead and submitted to TOR books--shoot for the moon, & even if you miss you'll still have a hell of a ride!
That was back in high school. I've gotten hundreds more rejections since then, but more importantly, I've only gotten better at my craft, & braver in my pursuit of publication.
NOVELS READY FOR PITCHING:
Dead Gold
Dead Gold
Last updated 08/25/2024
I've decided it's time to give this manuscript a second chance. The story has a strong core, it's one of my most creative concepts, & I love my characters. Previous attempts at publication never went anywhere, & coming back to the story now I see why. I'm going to try re-imagining the story structure, & mixing up the character POV. I'll keep you posted.
The Specter Street Book Emprorium
Last updated 11/02/2023
Manuscript Checklist
Complete and Fully Edited Manuscript (word count: approx 95k): ✔
Short Synopsis (1 page, word count: 477): ✔
Chapter Summary: ✔
Submission Progress
Potential Agents Identified: 40
Agents Queried: 26 (one keeps kicking my email back to me--it thinks it's spam)
Replies: 18
Rejections: 18
Initially Interested: 4 (3 rejections, still waiting for a reply from one of them)
The Demon of Lashingholm Hall
Last updated 11/22/2019
Manuscript Checklist
Complete and Fully Edited Manuscript (word count: approx 87,000): ✔
Short Synopsis (1 page, word count: 633): ✔
Long Synopsis (5 pages, word count: 1304):
Submission Progress
Potential Agents Identified: 40
Agents Queried: 37 (one keeps kicking my email back to me--it thinks it's spam)
Replies: 27
Rejections: 27 (one said she's actually leaving the industry)
Initially Interested: 3!!! (but since they've all said "no.")
Coyle House
Last updated 11/03/2014
Manuscript Checklist
Complete and Fully Edited Manuscript: ✔
Brief Summary: ✔
Full
Summary:
Synopsis: ✔
Submission
Progress
Potential
Agents Identified: 44--and that's enough for me!
Agents
Contacted: 44
Replies: 27
Rejections: 27
Interested: None at this time--that's a wrap.
Replies: 27
Rejections: 27
Interested: None at this time--that's a wrap.