The Last Daughter - A GREATER DETROIT RWA 2014 BBA FINALIST!

The Greater Detroit RWA 2014 Booksellers Best Award announced the finalist for their annual contest, and guess what! The Last Daughter is one of them! If you remember, in my previous post, I wondered if I would ever write again so this is just the shot of encouragement I need to MAKE time. Sometimes it seems like too much of a challenge between the wedding planning, retired hubby, church work, renovation and decorating. Surely I don't have a touch of laziness! Surely not!

I'm not really familiar with this contest. Every month or so, we RWA members get our trade magazine that lists contests and conferences and I decided to enter The Last Daughter in the novella category. I chose this contest because of the judges. They're booksellers. That makes being a finalist even more special to me. I had to print out several copies of The Last Daughter and have them bound for the judges. It was time consuming and at times I wondered if I was wasting a tree, but now ... I'm so glad I took the time. I'm flattered and honored, excited and  super-pumped, even though I've got some wonderful competition in the other five contestants.

 

Winners will be announced at the RWA National Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

  

In no particular order, the following is a list of finalists. Those listed with an asterisk are also nominated for Best First Book.  When I see contest winners, I'm always curious about the publishers and editors so if you'd like to know who they are, go to the Greater Detroit RWA 2014 Booksellers Best Award link.

 

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

TRADITIONAL

Last Chance Proposal Barbara DeLeo

The Courage to Say Yes Barbara Wallace

The Cattleman's Ready-Made Family Michelle Douglas

First Comes Baby Michelle Douglas

A Marriage Made in Italy Rebecca Winteres

Crashing into Tess Lilly Christine

SHORT HISTORICAL

The Witch Finder Blythe Gifford

Before the Larkspur Blooms  Caroline Fyffe

Lachlan's Bride Kathleen Harrington

Surrender to the Earl Gayle Callen

At the Highlander's Mercy Terri Brisbin

SINGLE TITLE

Mystic Cowboy Sarah M. Anderson

The Time Between Karen White

Home to Whisky Creek Brenda Novak

Lost Melody Dolores W. Maroney

The Pieces We Keep Kristina McMorris

SHORT CONTEMPORARY

The Rancher She Loved Ann Roth

*Doctor, Soldier, Daddy  Caro Carson

Conceal, Protect Carol Ericson

To Tame a Cowboy Jules Bennett

His Southern Temptation Robin Covington

LONG CONTEMPORARY

Kidnapped Cowboy  Lindsey Brookes

Out of his League Cathryn Parry

A Kiss to Die for Gail Barrett

The Cowboy's Christmas Baby Carolyn Brown

Seduced by his Target Gail Barrett

PARANORMAL

Midnight's Kiss  Donna Grant

Omega Susannah Sandlin

Allegiance Sworn  Kylie Griffin

Fire of the Dragon Lori Dillon

Tempt Me Tamara Hogan

The Reunited Shiloh Walker

INSPIRATIONAL

Vanished by  Irene Hannon

Cozy Christmas by Valerie Hansen

Shenandoah Nights by  Lisa Belcastro

Wedding On the Rocks by Rose Ross Zediker

Healing the Forest Ranger by Leigh Bale

LONG HISTORICAL

*For the Love of A Soldier  Victoria Morgan

The Hunter  Monica McCarty

Lady Vivian Defies a Duke  Samantha Grace

Love's Price Cheryl Holt

What a Duke Desires Sabrina Jeffries

YOUNG ADULT

Camp Boyfriend J.K. Rock

*Running On Empty  Colette Ballard

Briar Rose Jana Oliver

Dirty Little Secret Jennifer Echols

*Playing Tyler  TL Costa

EROTIC

On her Masters Service Lexi Blake

Unforgettable Alison Kent

Avoiding Mr. Right  C.J. Ellison

* Masque   Lexi Post

Too Fast  Alexia Haynes

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Trapped  Irene Hannon

Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead Lena Diaz

Til' Death Sharon Sala

Hard Target Kay Thomas

Pieces of You- A Snowy Creek Novel Loreth Anne White

NOVELLA

Christmas At Copper Mountain Jane Porter

Outside the Lines Kimberly Kincaid

The Last Daughter Jessica Ferguson

One True Love  Lori Wilde

Take Me, Cowboy Jane Porter

A Cowboy for Christmas Katheirne Garbera

 

Markets, Markets, Markets

Harlequin’s new Kiss line will launch February 13, 2013.  Check out the guidelines HERE 
For FAQ's and guidelines for other Harlequin lines, go HERE.

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Kristine Katherine Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith plan to launch a new fiction anthology series, Fiction River beginning in April 2013. Each issue will be devoted to a theme, with stories from a variety of genres and both well-known and new authors.  Get more details here and visit their Kickstarter page here.

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Story Brewhouse is seeking submissions for an anthology of creative fiction about beer. A Six Pack of Stories will publish in 2013, in both digital and print, with stories that “feature beer in meaningful ways.” The editors are looking for all genres of stories. There are no length limits, though they warn that anything over 10,000 words may have a tough time finding a home. The deadline for submissions is October 26, 2012. Find the details here.

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Still Moments Publishing publishes a wide variety of romance fiction from 20,000 to 100,000 words. Find the submission details here.

Still Moments is also seeking submissions for several anthologies:

Unexpected Bumps — stories with a baby or pregnancy theme. 5,000 to 15,000 words. Deadline November 30, 2012.

A Twist of Tales – fairy tales with a unique twist. 5,000 to 15,000 words. Deadline October 31, 2012

Frost Bite – stories about shape-shifters in winter. 5,000 to 15,000 words. Deadline October 15, 2012

Winter’s Kiss – winter romance stories, 5,000 to 15,000 words, Deadline October 1, 2012

Christmas Magic – holiday romance, 5,000 to 15,000 words. Deadline August 18, 2012

Find details guidelines for all these special calls here.

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First Crime Novel Competition

The 2013 Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition is now open!Read the rules carefully and guidelines carefully before submitting your entry. This contest is sponsored by Minotaur Books & Mystery Writers of America.  

For previous winners, go HERE.

Monday Markets and More

Thought I’d share some markets and contests today, as well as a conference I attended last year.

Killer Nashville is a great little conference for mystery writers and it's coming up in August. They hold a contest too but the deadline is fast approaching--June 1st. If you place or win, your book will be considered by Five Star. The editor is the finalist judge. One of the perks of this contest is that you don’t have to attend the conference to enter the contest, but certainly you’ll want to if you learn you final.  The Killer Nashville conference is small, intimate and has great sessions. Even if you don't write mysteries it's a fun conference. They stage a crime for you to solve and they have some interesting speakers--some of them REAL law enforcement officers. Take a look at their blog HERE. To learn more about Killer Nashville, go HERE and tour the site carefully. I hope I see you there!

Here’s a novel contest I learned about from friend Linda F. Todd.  The 2012 prizewinner will receive a publishing contract with a $7,500 advance and a $5,000 marketing budget. The winning novel will be published in the Spring of 2013 in a hardcover or trade paperback edition by Counterpoint/Softskull Press and distributed to the book trade by Publishers Group West.  The deadline is June 15th and  there are no fees to enter.

Pill Hill Press has a lot going on these days. Check out their website. They’re inviting recipes for a cookbook and some stories for anthologies.  Look at their opportunities for publication HERE.

Do you write essays or creative nonfiction? Consider contributing to the Easy to Love series of books.  CURRENT CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Easy to Love but Hard to Teach and Easy to Love but Hard to Treat

Here’s a market for women writers over 60.

There are markets, contests and conferences everywhere. Do you have any favorites?

Flash Fiction Contest - 159 Words! (CLOSED! CLOSED!)

The contest is closed. Thanks to everyone who entered my Flash Fiction contest and signed up to follow my blog. I had eleven entries and they're all so much fun to read. A couple made me laugh out loud. One made me cringe in pain. Some made me look over my shoulder when I was in the house alone.

I'll be shooting them off to the judges and will get back with you soon. I hate, hate, hate choosing just one winner, but those are the rules. 


Winner will be posted soon -- I hope!
Jess

I’ve enjoyed reading (and writing for) the new Southern Writers Magazine . The pages are packed with encouragement and advice from voices of experience. The articles and interviews share secrets of success by experts in book marketing, promotion, branding, blogging, screenwriting, songwriting, conferences and more—all with a touch of Southern hospitality, of course. I want you to sample this great magazine so I’m hosting a writing contest. The winner will receive the latest issue of Southern Writers Magazine—a print issue because I want you to see just how wonderful it is. The color is vivid. The pages are thick. The print is comfortably readable.

Contest Rules:

"I’ve had a wonderful time, but this wasn’t it."

Using the Groucho Marx quote above as your first line, write a story in 159 words or less. (The quote serves as the first nine.) No profanity because I don’t like it. No erotica because you need to keep that good time to yourself. Put your name and email address below your story then post your 150 words in the comment section. There must be a minimum of ten (10) entries and you must add yourself as a follower of my blog. Deadline: October 31^st.

All entries will be judged by selected members of my Bayou Writers lunch bunch. Sorry, only one winner will be chosen. The winning entry will be posted on my blog with gushy, flattering comments from the judges.

I repeat—in a nutshell:

You must add yourself as a follower of this blog if you aren’t already.

Your first line should be: "I’ve had a wonderful time, but this wasn’t it." (No modification)

Story must be 159 words max. Any kind of story—romance, western, scifi, fantasy, horror, etc. No profanity/No erotica.

Post your story in comment section with name and email.

A minimum of ten entries or contest is cancelled.

Deadline: Midnight, October 31^st

Winner announced November 4^th (or shortly thereafter)

Winner will be published on my blog and receive the November issue (print copy) of Southern Writers Magazine. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me at jessy31writer (at) aol (dot) com

This will be the first contest I've hosted -- hope it's fun!

KILLER NASHVILLE HERE I COME

Killer Nashville, here I come. My friend Linda and I will be taking off early Thursday morning heading to Nashville where we'll rub shoulders with a lot of people who love murder and mahem.That sounds creepy, doesn't it? Maybe I should clarify--they love writing about it.

The 10+ hour drive is a little daunting; I can honestly say I'm dreading it. Since Linda does all her writing by hand, I've suggested we write a novella all the way there and back. We should be able to whip out 22,000+ words there and back, shouldn't we? I don't know that the idea thrilled Linda; guess I'll find out Thursday morning if she has her pen and yellow pad in her lap by the time we pull out my drive.

Years ago my daughter and I attended a Sisters In Crime conference in Houston. I learned a lot. I haven't attended another conference solely dedicated to suspense, mystery, and crime. I understand Killer Nashville is one of the best. It began in 2006. The conference offers five concurrent tracks: The Writing Track, The Publishing Track, The Career Management & Promotion Track, The Forensic Track and The Fan Track. I'm always totally confused about what to attend when I go to conferences. I wish I could clone myself and attend everything! I want to attend Creating Mood and Atmosphere in Fiction (I'm so totally rotten at that!) but I also want to attend Writing and Selling YA Suspense. Even if I could attend both, I'd be missing Law Enforcement Jurisdiction by a real FBI Special Agent. What's a writer to do in a case like this?

Killer Nashville was founded by writer/filmmaker Clay Stafford of American Blackguard Film and Television. Clay is an international award-winning writer, director, producer, actor and speaker. He's worked for PBS, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Sony Pictures, Republic Pictures, Disney, and Universal Studios. And all I can say is ... WOW! Go check out his CREDITS.

I've wanted to attend Killer Nashville since its inception,  So thank you, dear husband, for making it possible. Expenses paid and new car for travel. I promise, I'll write faster, harder, and strive to sell my book. (Pssst, sometimes he thinks I'm a slacker.)

I read on another contest finalists blog that there were 232 entries in the Claymore contest. If that's true, then I really feel honored to be in the top 10. Several of those finalists have published books under their belts; remember, this is a contest for both published and unpublished writers. Only the manuscript need be unpubbed. And only the first 50 pages are entered.

I'm probably showing my ignorance here, but I have no clue where they got the name for the Claymore contest. All I know is that the Claymore was the greatest sword of its period, wielded by only the most powerful knights.

So yeah, I'd love to hold it in my nervous, hot, sweaty little hands!

Needless to say, I'm so excited. But I want to tell you something  ...

If by some weird stretch of the imagination, I win--even if I'm in the top three--I might not survive it. I might pass out cold, or even, God forbid, have a fatal attack because of my adrenalin rush. I just want to tell you now before it's too late . . . I appreciate and love all you readers and followers. You've made blogging fun.

Hopefully, see you when I get back. ~jess

P.S.  Mama always said I was dramatic. :)

Outside that Comfort Zone

During the past week, I’ve received two rejections on my poems, signed up for a leisure learning course in Houston, won $100 and mentally packed for our move to Mississippi (early next month). Here’s the skinny:

Remember the rejection on my haiku that said 5-7-5 isn’t desired and that I tend to tell? Well, I rewrote some of those poems and created a couple of new ones only to receive the following from the same editor:

“Thank you for giving me an opportunity to look at these. Unfortunately I have not selected any of them for the upcoming issue. Though you don't want to "tell all," you need to tell enough to give the reader an idea of what you felt. I HAD TO SMILE. EVIDENTLY I’VE GONE FROM ONE EXTREME TO ANOTHER. I’M PRETTY GOOD AT THAT. These seem rather disjointed . . . and I don't know what to make of them. THIS MADE ME SAD. I REALLY LOVED MY NEW CREATIONS. STILL DO. The best haiku use concrete imagery to convey an insight or emotion. I suggest again that you read the essay on our website (I’VE READ IT TWICE) and study the sample poems from past issues of ________. I’VE STUDIED THE SAMPLE POEMS ON THEIR WEBSITE. I LIKE SOME OF THEM. DON’T UNDERSTAND SOME OF THEM. SOME SEEM DISJOINTED. I would be glad to hear from you again during the July/August reading period for the fall issue.” SO… SHE’S GIVING ME ANOTHER CHANCE. I HAVE TIME TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE MODERN HAIKU. I FEEL CHALLENGED.

In the meantime, I’ve done a thorough search and found 20 haiku markets to investigate. Wish me luck.

++++++++

I’ve signed up for Photography--Breaking Into the Magazine & Calendar Market. The class is in Houston – one day-leisure learning. You know I love taking classes of all kinds. I’ll tell you about this one later. Should be fun and informative. The instructor is Kathy Adams Clark.

++++++++

Last week I entered a contest offered by Writer’s Relief, a submission service. They invited videos telling their readers and potential clients how much we love their e-publication. I’ve never used Writer’s Relief as a submission service, but I get their great newsletter and I go to their site often to check market info and read their articles. I've relied on their tips and market/contest info to share with Bayou Writers' Group when I was prez. And years ago I even tried to become one of their editors. They sent me a test to take but I didn’t make the grade. Tough test. That hasn’t hindered my love for their free stuff. Check HERE for anthology submissions. Check HERE for contests. And check out the videos too. Hubby shot the video--several times and I just got worse with each one. I was so nervous my voice quivers but It was fun—and scary. Since it was a team effort, and we won a prize, we're going to split the $$ and head to Half-Price Books. As if we need one more book in this house!

I’ve never done anything like this—and probably won’t ever again, but I think it’s good to (every now and then) do things that scare us. Crawl out of our comfort zone.

Do you have a tendency to play it safe? What scares you?

Why Aren't You Writing?

In one of my writing communities, some of the writers are making lists of why they aren’t writing. It caused me to look at my own reasons. It’s easy to let other things get in the way. You know, really there’s always a ten minute stretch of time we can use to jot a few words or a couple of paragraphs, or ideas about stories we’re working on. Flash Fiction can be pretty short. Hint Fiction, even shorter. So, realistically, there’s isn’t a good reason not to write a little something.

This week I had good intentions, and in all fairness to me, I did do a little writing. Revised and expanded a short story then sent it for critique. Got some excellent feedback for layering it even more which is what I wanted to do but didn't know how. I’m so bad at description. Probably because I often skip over it when I read; I go straight to the dialogue.

Got my ten pages put together to send to Harold Underdown for critique at our BWG conference. This is a story near and dear to my heart. Trouble is … it has been near and dear to my heart for 40+ years. That’s gotta hurt it. There’s still interest in the subject matter because I’ve Googled and researched it. What I’m worried about is that I can’t capture the right voice. This is a young adult novel and I’ve never had a YA voice. Considering another birthday has passed … well, you see where I’m going with this. I've heard Mr. Underdown is pretty straightforward so I'm sure I'll come away knowing exactly what to do with this piece. I just hope it isn't too painful. :)

I have several personal projects I’m involved in that take time and thought. Also I’m teaching my NF online class, doing some critiquing and contest judging for other writers’ groups, plus keeping up with some of my favorite TV shows. (I'm so 'into' Project Runway' this year. I can only imagine the stress!)

Our BWG conference, upcoming officer elections, putting Gator Bites pamphlets together, arranging and keeping tally of the BWG blog, contest judges and scores, and just preparing for the monthly meeting takes its toll. Yes, we do have competent officers, board members, conference coordinators, but I’m the prez. I figure the buck stops with me. Regardless.

I’m not whining. I’m musing. I’m assessing my writing life and projects. I have way too many things going. I’m about to add a few more.

Hey, you people out there who work full time jobs and write, and accomplish your goals consistently: you have my utmost respect and admiration. I honestly don’t know how you do it. Want to tell us?

Bayou Writers' Group Conference: A Bridge to Publication

Our conference brochure has been printed and will hit the post office on Tuesday, September 7th. Getting the brochure on our website has been a challenge. Rocky, our BWG webmaster along with others have put forth much effort to figure out the bugs. Finally, the bugs have been exterminated; the brochure is HERE. But you should find everything you need to register for our conference posted right here. If you have any problems or something isn't clear, don't hesitate to leave a message for me or email bayouwritersgroup (at) gmail (dot) com. We have this same info posted on our BWG BLOG.


A BRIDGE TO PUBLICATION
Writer's Conference
November 13, 2010
Location: University Methodist Church
2401 Patrick Street
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601


Speaker Bios:

Harold Underdown is a children’s book editor/freelance editorial consultant, and the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Children's Book Publishing. He has worked at Macmillan, Orchard, and Charlesbridge, and has experience in trade and educational publishing. He founded and runs "The Purple Crayon," a web site about the children's publishing world at www.underdown.org. Critiques/consultations are available for $35 - Scroll down for details.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is an author and award-winning journalist. Her fiction includes Kensington historical romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her nonfiction books include the cookbook travelogue Cooking in Cajun Country (2009) and the upcoming Magic's in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris and Sachets (2010).





Gary Goldstein, Senior Editor, Kensington, acquires and edits both non-fiction for Kensington’s Citadel Press imprint and fiction (military and political thrillers, westerns, suspense), among them NY Times and USA Today bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and Michael Walsh.

Self/E/Small Press Published Author Panel

Lesa Boutin is a children’s author who started her own publishing company, Boot in the Door Publications, in 2006, followed by the release of her YA novels, Amanda Noble, Zookeeper Extraordinaire in 2007, and Amanda Noble, Special Agent in 2008. Lesa is a writer with Writers in the Schools Houston.

Author Wendy Lanier will share her Write for Hire experience. Her writing experience includes titles for Lerner Books, Capstone Press, Lucent Books, KidHaven Press, and contributions to such publications as Focus on the Family's Clubhouse, CBN.com, MOPS.org, DevoKids.com, and The Amazing Bible Factbook for Kids (a publication of Time Inc. Home Entertainment and the Livingstone Corp.). Her educational and professional background includes a B.S. in Speech Communication Disorders and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education followed by over 18 years of service in Texas public and private schools. She is a member of SCBWI and the Bayou Writers' Group.

Curt Iles is a Southern writer and speaker with seven books to his credit. His recent release is A Good Place. Curt’s mission in life is “to walk closely with Jesus, be a man God can use, and be respected by my wife and family.” His life verse: the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Pamela S. Thibodeaux is a multi-published author in creative non-fiction and romantic fiction. Her novels and short stories are available in ebook & print from White Rose Publishing and Com Star Media. Pam has numerous articles, essays, & devotions to her credit. Her writing has been tagged as “Inspirational with an Edge!”™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

8:00-8:45 - Registration
Continental Breakfast
Read Contest entries

8:45-9:00 - Welcome & Announcements

9:00-10:00
Harold Underdown – Preparing your children’s or young adult book for publication

10:00-10:315: Break

10:15-11:15
Chere’ Coen – Developing the nonfiction book proposal/Selling your ideas to the nonfiction market

11:15-12:45 - Lunch

12:45 -1:45
Gary Goldstein: What Editors and Kensington expect from Authors

1:45-2:00- Break

2:00-3:00
Panel Discussion: Lesa Boutin, Curt Iles, Pamela Thibodeaux, Wendy Lanier

3:00 - 4:30 Door prizes; On the Wall contest winner announced, Reception and author signings

Our bookstore will be open all day.


REGISTRATION FORM
(Please Print)

NAME_________________________________________

ADDRESS______________________________________

_______________________________________________

PHONE________________________________________

EMAIL________________________________________

PUBLISHED__________ UNPUBLISHED_________


________$40.00 MEMBERS/$45.00 non-member

________$50.00 AT DOOR

________$25.00 STUDENTS (Full Time)

________First Page Contest Entry-FREE

Please note: No refunds after November 6, 2010


On The Wall
First Page Contest
(Win Free 2011 Conference Registration)

You have to grab an editor or reader’s attention on your first page. Send us your best first page (250 words max, double-spaced). Put your name on the back. Conferees will vote on their favorite. Mail your first page with your registration and conference fee to by November 6, 2010 to:

Bayou Writers’ Group
P.O. 1402
Lake Charles, LA 70602

CRITIQUES AND CONSULATIONS BY HAROLD UNDERDOWN
(PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
Harold Underdown will meet with writers about their manuscripts for 15 minutes. You may submit one picture book manuscript or up to ten standard pages of a longer manuscript, along with a cover letter written as if you were submitting the manuscript to a publisher, but including notes on its revision or submission history as well. Include a one-page synopsis of the entire manuscript if submitting part of a long manuscript.

Harold will look at any material, from picture book to YA, either fiction or nonfiction.

PLEASE NOTE: Manuscripts must be received no later than three weeks before the conference. Your $35.00 critique and conference registration fee must be received by October 13th by BWG Conference Coordinator. Only the first 20 entries will be accepted. When sending the manuscript, please specify: a critique or a consultation.

Critique: Manuscripts for critiques can be rough or unfinished drafts, or something you believe is ready to send out. In his meeting with you, Harold will focus on ways to improve the manuscript and will give you written comments as well.

Consultation: Manuscripts for consultations should be polished manuscripts, perhaps one already sent out to a publisher, which you believe have no significant writing problems. Harold will focus on "marketing" issues in his meeting with you; possible publishers and how to approach them.

If a manuscript submitted for one option needs the other, in Harold's opinion, that is what he will provide.

Mail to:
Bayou Writers’ Group
P.O. Box 1402
Lake Charles, LA 70602

_______________________________________________

This, That and The Other

Okay... remember I told you I entered a short story contest and placed in the top 100 out of 300 submissions? I didn't win. After reading the winners, I understand why. And since I've never been a short story writer (a successful one, anyway) I'm really wondering how I made the top 100. Here's the site if you want to check out the winners. And if you'd like to crit my one page short story and compare to the winners, just let me know. I'll send it to you. You'll probably wonder how I made the top 100 too. No self-deprecation here. I just don't think my story is really a short story. I'm sure you'll agree it's a little slice of life without a beginning, middle and end.

On another note: Hanging out on Chuck Sambuchino's blog has lots of advantages. I learn a lot, and last week had the opportunity to leave a comment and be tossed in the hat for a chance to win the 2011 Guide to Literary Agents! Yep... congratulations to ME.

By the way, I am writing, and I'm thrilled with my rewrites on my novel. I love, love, love the prologue and yeah, I know prologues are a no-no, but I'm not listening. Creating a prologue helped me move right into my first chapter in a new and more exciting way--with more action. That prologue is like hanging my theme on the end of my nose and keeping it there so I'll remember it. Click on agent Scott Eagan to learn what I'm talking about.

Can't remember if I mentioned that I took an online course from Lois Winston, an author and a literary agent with the Ashley Grayson Literary Agency. Lois has a super course called The Submission Process. I learned so much, stuff I'm actually able to apply to my writing. I highly recommend this course--and no lurking allowed. If you don't participate, you really don't learn. That comes from Queen of the Lurkers, the voice of experience. Lois does not allow lurkers. :)

And speaking of the Ashley Grayson Lit Agency. Check out this interesting interview I came across. Love it! When asked what writers should never do when they query her, Ashley Grayson's answer is priceless.

She said: Number one no-no: describing their book in terms of two movies or TV shows; or describing their book in terms of two books that have no relationship to each other: "in the tradition of Twilight and Rich-Dad, Poor Dad."

These kind of novel descriptions leave me blank, and feeling like a dummy. Example: Roy Rogers meets Pretty Woman (well, actually that sounds pretty good, doesn't it?) or Three Days of the Condor meets Strictly Confidential. What does that mean? What kind of books would they be? I can't describe my novel this way, and I can't figure out my writer friends who do.

Comments? Hey, I love 'em. Don't pop in and be silent. Say something!