With 70,000 words in the rear view mirror, and the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel in sight, I thought I would provide a quick update on progress, and future plans for the book.
There are about 10 chapters left to write; I expect to finish the first draft in early July. Based on feedback from my editor (and others), I am going to spend the summer and early fall shopping the manuscript with agents, in the hope that I can sign with one and subsequently land a publishing deal with a mainstream publishing house. Simultaneously, I will continue to re-write and further edit the book – probably with more paid help. There is also still some research to be done, and folded into the story.
As a first-time writer of fiction, I know the odds are against getting a book deal. Or even an agent, for that matter. I will note for the record, however, that a few former colleagues have told me that I’ve been writing fiction for decades; I do appreciate their perspective on that :). Dr. Seuss received 27 rejections before someone finally agreed to publish And To Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street – and I’m no Dr. Seuss. So maybe I’ll shoot for 25 or so rejections, and call myself a close second.
More to come, stay tuned!