Busily Waiting

I recently attended The Florida Writers Association Conference in Orlando. What a fun and informative environment for getting to know a few friends from my local writing group better as well as for meeting many new writers.

I enjoyed a presentation by William F. Nolan, the author of Logan’s Run. Although he writes mostly science fiction, his advice and expertise covered all genres. He’s a direct and funny speaker, with the enviable writing ability of describing his observations with a minimum of carefully selected words that easily engage the one’s imagination.

Richard Paul Evans told an incredible tale of his road to success. He wrote The Christmas Box, his most popular book, for his daughters and not for the publishing world. Simply giving the book to his family members, a few friends and neighbors, started a snowball effect. The book became an authors dream; a bidding war by the big publishing houses, a lucrative contract and popularity beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. I have not read his books yet—but after hearing him speak, I plan to read them all.

There were many other sessions and presenters, and I took away some valuable nugget from each. I returned home realizing I still have so much to learn.

In this competitive field, filled with talented writers, I am so grateful that The Ride has found a publisher. I’m hoping my renewed sense of appreciation for the manuscript making it to this stage will help to make the long drawn out publishing process a little easier to bear.

I was home for one full day before leaving for the bright lights of Las Vegas. Although I left Las Vegas with no money and most likely two damaged lungs from all the second hand smoke I absorbed in the casinos, I had a great time with our friends. We numbered nine this year and everyone seems as anxious as I am to have my book come out. It’s great having their support and encouragement. I can’t wait to do it all again next year.

In total, I was away from home for about a week but it felt as though I’d been away for a much longer period. I have no idea why. But, whatever the reason, I expected to find many things changed in my absence and my e-mail chock full of encouraging communications from my editor, Vickie, at ArcheBooks Publishing.

Although I did miss my grandson’s first haircut, home was pretty much the same as when I left and not a single message from Vickie appeared among the numerous e-ads and spam that occupied my inbox.

“Maybe next week,” says the proverbial optimist in me.

To which my pessimistic side responded, “You must be nuts if you thing anything will happen during the holiday season.”

I hope the optimist gets to gloat, but only time will tell.

Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (to be released by ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/


Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, Las Vegas, Florida Writers Association, William Nolan, Logan’s Run, Richard Paul Evans, The Christmas Box

The Wait Goes On

I heard from my editor, Vickie, this week.

“Wonderful,” I hear you saying, “now you finally have some positive news to share.”

Oh, how I wish. My very brief communication from her said that although I was in the red zone (I think that’s publishing speak for the production process), she was still working on several books ahead of mine and had not even started to edit The Ride.

Not exactly the sort of news I hoped to hear.

Sigh.

On the positive side, I now know I haven’t been forgotten; my editor hasn’t been ignoring me; she wasn’t abducted by a UFO; and, that the editing delay has nothing to do with the condition of my manuscript.

Vickie did go on to say, “But the good news is, it should not be long.”

I have a funny feeling that my definition of “long” is entirely different from hers.

I hope that the old adage, “Good things come to those that wait,” is true, because ‘waiting’ has been a major pastime of mine since writing The Ride. And, it looks as if the wait has only just begun.

Another sigh.

This week, while I wait, I’ll be attending the Sixth Annual Florida Writers Association Conference at the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World.

When I return, Kim and I leave for our annual trek to Las Vegas where we meet up with some of our wonderful friends for a few days. Since I plan to be sitting in front of slot machines instead of my computer, there’ll be no blog on the 16th.

I’ll be back here on the 23rd. In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for stopping by.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (coming soon from ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/

Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, Florida Writers Association, Sixth Annual Florida Writers Association Conference , Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World