Last week I finally bought the new "Writer's Market," which came out a couple of weeks ago. Matt and Kate are holding me accountable to actually use this one, unlike the 2003 version, which was a waste of money.
It's motivating to flip through the guide and see so many opportunities to be published. But my problem, or one of them, is that I want to immediately go for the big dogs without working my way through the lesser-known, worse-paying magazines. The good ones require published clips, and I haven't been published at all in three or four years. Typical of me to want to slip in under the rope.
Speaking of writing, one of Dad's summer projects was to write a book, on which he's now completing the final edits. I think it's fantastic, and I'm not even the intended audience (fourth- or fifth-graders). "Mystery at the L. Homeplace" is set in Atlanta in the 1960s and its characters are based on Dad's family and ancestors. The story includes a good dose of Civil War history and the mystery, when solved, reveals a Christian legacy that endures generations.
It's witty and clever, with a good twist and a great epilogue that is classic Corny Ken! I'm trying to talk him into getting it published, but for now only a couple dozen copies are floating around.
In addition to him I have for inspiration Kate -- who between her short stories and preservation newsletter and running blog and English teacher boyfriend always has some kind of writing project in the works. This is as good a time as any for me to sit down, write some queries and mail them out. Maybe it would be a good August resolution.
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