Agent or No Agent?

Last week, in a sudden fit of inspiration, I wrote a rough draft of a query letter for Novel #2 - despite the fact that I haven't consciously decided to go that route this time around.

Why the (potential) change of heart?

Struggling to get the word out about 'Last Chance Rescue' (with mixed results) has had the interesting effect of *encouraging* me to seek representation.

I didn't believe an agent would seriously consider any proposal I would have made for "Last Chance Rescue." After all, my 'writing credentials' were, well, nearly non-existant. And the market was (and is) saturated. (And then there's the little matter of my IM-patience...)

But now I've proven that I can finish what I start (a novel) and even that I have the chutzpah to market it myself (however questionably successful that has been). AND - perhaps most important - that the book is GOOD (according to others, NOT just myself and I).

So perhaps it's no longer 'wasted' time; an agent might actually read through my query and synopsis now. What have I got to lose?

(one little drawback: I've got to actually WRITE the dang novel...)

"Not So Much" Public Reading

This was a busy weekend - seemed like every type of activity was "kicking off" or "starting up" (I was back at taiko too!) so I thank the local publications that DID mention our book features and readings on Sunday.

We managed to complete only TWO readings (myself and one of my writing group peers). This was due to the fact that there was a band shell not far from our booth, which featured various musical artists throughout the day. They were good and enjoyable and really not that loud - but still not something we could compete with.

I did not sell a single book, nor did my two peers with whom I shared the space. It did, however, teach me something important: literary crowds (however nice they are) are not where I will find readers for Last Chance Rescue. I need to find the physically active people (and the romance readers). So chalk that one up to experience...

Public reading and books for sale -- Sunday, September 13

I will be joining other authors from the Sandhill Writers Group to read from our novels during the "Art in the Park" event at the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts this Sunday, September 13.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm at 6666 East River Road in Fridley. My assigned reading times are currently 1:30, 2;30 and 3:30. Autographed copies of Last Chance Rescue will also be available for purchase. I hope you can come out and say hello! (If you can't, you can always order here!)

For more information about the event, visit http://www.banfill-locke.org/ or call them at 763-574-1850.

Search-and-Rescue "Read Along"

Deb Lauman, a search-and-rescue expert, created a Squidoo lens about Last Chance Rescue! The unique thing about THIS page is the interactivity of it. Deb took kind of a different approach, trying to get people to read along with her ... kind of like a virtual book club. Pretty neat (and something I'd never get around to)!

So check it out here. If you've read it you can add your own comments. (If you haven't, YOU NEED TO!)

BTW, Deb is a published author herself; you can check out her book here. Thanks, Deb, for your help and support!