July 30, 2018: Promote, promote and then promote, again! The publisher for my adult novel coming out soon offers lots of advice on how to promote your book. They are big on social media and encourage their authors to get an Instagram account, if they do not already have one. I don’t, so guess I need to look into that soon. Think of it this way…just another means of embarrassing my grandchildren. 

 July 24, 2018: Are you ready for a sequel to THE SECRET AT ONE BELMONT LANE? When a great idea for a new story lands in your lap, what do you do? You jump for joy, that’s what. That happened this past weekend. My daughter-in-law came up with a great idea for a sequel to THE SECRET AT ONE BELMONT LANE. When she told me her idea, it just clicked…and it’s one I had not thought of, but when I heard it, I just knew it was the sequel of all sequels. I’ve been asked by six different people for a sequel. Does that happen to everyone, you ask. I don’t know. I’m new at being a published author. I have made several attempts to write a sequel, but I’ve barely gotten past the first chapter…and to be honest, I wasn’t happy with it. This new idea is super-duper mega-licious and so enticing I can’t wait to read it!  But first, I have to write the story. 😓

July 16, 2018: What to do while waiting to hear from an Editor? Market research. And lots of it. The more submissions you have out there, the higher your chances of a contract. Simple math, right? I try to have ten-twelve active submissions at all times. Now to take that advice one-step farther, be sure to study the submission guidelines or you stand the chance of wasting, not only your time, the publisher’s, as well. Is your story a Picture Book? If so, there’s no need to send it to an editor who clearly states they are closed to Picture Books. Matching your story with the best publisher takes time and effort. Many will clearly state what they’re looking for. Spending a few hours studying their guidelines will up your odds. If your story checks most of their boxes, you stand a greater chance for a contract. And isn’t that what’s it all about?