Yes, in this quest to become a published author, rather than navigate the dark hollows of certain failure alone, I choose to get some help. Therefore, this morning I sent out what will be one of many agent queries in the hopes that some industry professional will be smitten with my work and not use it as potty liner for his miniature dachshund. Statistically speaking, this is highly unlikely, however I will simply have to keep trying. My first attempt is going to Balkin Agency, Inc., where Rick Balkin is the president, and is interested solely in works of nonfiction. Many of the books I found that Mr. Balkin got published were historical, and looked as if they involved a lot of research. I only have one chapter involving research, and even then I put the word in quotes. But what made me think Mr. Balkin and I might make a good match is where he says that anything witty, truly unique, or a labor of love is "grist for my mill." I don't know what grist is, but I do hope that he finds my work witty. Unfortunately, the cold hard reality is that this will be a long process, and so I've started a kind of ticker to the right so that all interested parties (mom, dad, Cheryl) may follow my progress.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Query #1
Yes, in this quest to become a published author, rather than navigate the dark hollows of certain failure alone, I choose to get some help. Therefore, this morning I sent out what will be one of many agent queries in the hopes that some industry professional will be smitten with my work and not use it as potty liner for his miniature dachshund. Statistically speaking, this is highly unlikely, however I will simply have to keep trying. My first attempt is going to Balkin Agency, Inc., where Rick Balkin is the president, and is interested solely in works of nonfiction. Many of the books I found that Mr. Balkin got published were historical, and looked as if they involved a lot of research. I only have one chapter involving research, and even then I put the word in quotes. But what made me think Mr. Balkin and I might make a good match is where he says that anything witty, truly unique, or a labor of love is "grist for my mill." I don't know what grist is, but I do hope that he finds my work witty. Unfortunately, the cold hard reality is that this will be a long process, and so I've started a kind of ticker to the right so that all interested parties (mom, dad, Cheryl) may follow my progress.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
It Starts
It's here. The final, official Temp manuscript. I'm told to enjoy these feelings of self-worth and accomplishment because once I start the grueling process of getting published all my happy feelings will leave me and be replaced by defeatism and certain doom. In fact, I just started this blog thing and I already feel like I don't have anything interesting to say. I suppose this is more an expectation of things to come - a hopeful guess that at some point, maybe on more than one occasion, I will have very interesting and entertaining things to share with those who are aware of my Internet existence, and they will be rewarded with many a funny metaphor. As it is, I have a lot of work to do. As frustrating as it is to acknowledge this, the real possibility exists that it may take me years to get any interest in my manuscript, if there is any interest at all, which is highly unlikely, and this blog will become very sad and depressing for everyone. Here would be a good place for some kind of pledge or promise that no matter how hard it gets I'll keep it upbeat and positive so that the rest of you writers out there can be encouraged rather than scared out of ever trying. Well, here we go. Here I go.
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