where have you been?

It has been a few months since I last posted other than Outlaw Words. I've been around the world and back again. The Philadelphia Writers Conference in June was the first time I pitched my book, Aphrodite and the Frog King. A literary agent asked to see the first three chapters, but after reading them decided that they were not her type of book. So back to the drawing board.

I took a vacation out West to the National Parks at Grand Teton, Yellowstone -- did not see Yogi -- and Glacier. There is nothing in the world as spectacular as the Road to the Sun through Glacier National Park. 

August found me reading two pages in two minutes at the Backspace Writer's Conference. Once again I was lucky enough to interest a literary agent. This time with my writing and not just the concept of the book. The manuscript is in his office at this time.

Comparing the two conferences, PWC was more about the mechanics of writing with workshops. I took a short story workshop that was excellent. The BksWC was more about how to get published and presented many successful author who were more than willing, to spend time with anyone to help make their goals more obtainable. 

Both conferences delivered what they advertised. 

My writing has advanced significantly over the summer.

Next posting I will report the speech of Mark Travani at Backspace. As a editor he delineated in simple terms what a manuscript must contain to be reviewed and published. 

Read constantly, think writing, write every day, constant improvement, satisfy yourself.