I'm In, Blog - Neato!

After a long, painful wait, I finally received word from Kate at Viable Paradise: I've been accepted! Hoooraaaaay! This workshop is just what I need.

With my application, I sent part of a novelette called Sole Sacrifice. It's the story of how and why one of the villains in my novel, Sithral Tyr, became evil. My plan is to work on the story until mid-August, then turn in what I consider to be the best job I can do on it as my workshop piece. I'm eager to take it from 'the best I can do' to 'good enough to publish.'

It's true that publication options for novelettes aren't many, but I plan to submit it to the Writers of the Future contest. Of all the contests in the writing world, this one probably has the greatest impact on the career of a new writer. Perhaps with a placement (or win) in that contest, I'll get an agent or editor to read my novel, The Kinshield Legacy.

That's the plan, anyway.

And I'm happy to say, I've started submitting a couple of my short stories to magazines -- and I've received my first rejection! Hooray! Those who write with an eye toward publication know why I say that. For those who don't: 'tis better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.

Viable Alternatives

For some reason, I have this notion in my mind that if I throw enough money at my novel, I'll get the Magic Key which will unlock all the knowledge I need to become a successful writer. A couple months ago I paid a book doctor to review my manuscript to tell me whether I was even close or if I had a long way to go. He told me the book was probably saleable as is, and that I didn't really need his editorial services. Then I flip through the folder containing all the rejections I've gotten so far and say to myself, "Argh!"

Anyway, this time, I've applied to Viable Paradise. It looks like exactly the workshop I need, and the instructors obviously know what they're talking about. Not everyone who applies will get in. I suppose they take people who have promise, who are far enough along in honing their skills and not rank beginners. I could be wrong, of course, but that's the impression I get. It'll be a good 4 weeks before I get a thumbs up or down, and until then, I'll submit some short fiction to the SF/Fantasy online workshop, and finish up my Writer's Digest novel course. If I don't get in this year, I'll apply again next year. But I prefer to think positively: I don't totally suck, and I will get in. :)

Query woes

So far, I've queried a bunch of agents about my novel, The Kinshield Legacy. No takers yet. Not even a nibble. In fact, nobody has seen my manuscript. Must be something wrong with my query letter. Too boring? Too business-like? Hmmmm...

I signed up for a Writer's Digest course on writing query letters. Without going into too much detail, let me just say, for the record, that I wish I hadn't. The course was not worth the money I paid, and the textbook is pretty lousy. I can't recommend this course to anyone, unfortunately. (Now, the Advanced Novel course is another story. I happened to get a really good instructor, and I'm very happy with that course.)

Guess it's time to send out the revamped query.

Hello

I'm K.C. May - writer, programmer, martial artist, motorcycle enthusiast. Welcome to my blog. (K.C. May is a pen name, in case you were wondering. My real name is often mispronounced and doesn't have much of a ring to it.)
This is the continuing saga of one writer's journey to fame and fortune. Hahahahahaha! Well, I can dream, can't I? I'm an unknown writer. As of today, I've never had any fiction published (though I co-authored a computer book published in 1999). Hopefully, over the coming months (and years!) that will change. This is where I will record my attempts, both failures and successes, as they come.
Here we go... wish me luck!