tarnhelm

Writing Update

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, so allow me to enlighten you all. As most of you know, I’m now up to four projects in various stages of completion that are all post-VODNIK. First is TARNHELM, a YA noir fantasy which has been out on the desks of editors for over 18 months now. We’ve heard back from around 40% of them. You heard that right. 40%. I’ve asked my agents if that’s par for the course–if some editors just never get back to you at all, agented or not. And it sounds like the bitter

Writing Update: Plotting a New Book

It’s been a while since I’ve given any sort of a real update on my writing. Not because I haven’t been doing any, but mainly because I’ve been in sort of a switched mode from my regular routine. I finished a draft of THE MEMORY THIEF a month or so ago, and my agent is currently reading it closely for another edit. Still some issues to iron out. I have some ideas on how I’d like to revise GET CUPID, but I’ve been purposefully giving myself some time away from the novel before I start in on them in earnest.

And the Winner of the Groundhog Haiku Contest Is . . .

After 74 votes over the space of a week, some pretty intense campaigning, and allegations of voter fraud, I’m proud to announce a winner of my Groundhog Haiku contest. Ready? CONGRATULATIONS, CANDIDATE 1–Debbie Kinney-Dearden Her winning haiku, in its entirety: A groundhog I am Call me Punxsutawney Phil I’ll eat your garden Debbie gets to have a character named after her in my current book, TARNHELM. In fact, I’ve already picked out the spot for her to reside, and I’m presenting you with her scene in its entirety, right now. (Debbie, your name can appear however you’d like–just let me

Heard Back from My Agent on Tarnhelm

For those of you playing along at home, yes–I’m still sick. Really hacking and wheezing today, and it doesn’t help that I can’t seem to sleep past 4 in the morning. Sigh. There’s always tomorrow. In the “Good News” category, I heard back from my agent yesterday. I’d sent him the latest draft of Tarnhelm about a month ago, and he’d read it and evaluated it. Verdict? I’m 80% of the way there. He had some very solid observations about key elements of the book that need to be tweaked and improved so that the whole thing works together. Better

Writing Update

It’s been a bit since I updated ya’ll on my writing, and there’s no time like a Friday to do it, right? I’ve finished the second draft of Tarnhelm, and it’s now on my agent’s iPad, officially in his To Be Read pile. Once I hear back from him, I’ll likely need to do another thorough draft or two before it’s ready to get sent out to editors. (Or at least, that’s what I hope will be the case. This is the first time I’m doing this since I got my book deal with Vodnik, and there’s no small level