Bad News

Bad news on Moon Thief, they apparently didn't like it or didn't even read it. With the market the way it is, I expect I'll get a rejection for The Gifted Ones, too. Oh well, time to take action I suppose. I disagree with the way publishing is anyway, how writers only get a percentage of the sales and whatnot. I think I will start my own epublishing business. Everything will go to that soon anyhow. It doesn't cost too much and I already have the software and the store to load my books to, so I just need to practice art again and start designing my covers. I suppose since I'm taking it slow on writing again, I'll start working on those.

GP :)

New Ideas Keep Coming

Wow! My mind is so full of book ideas right now. Too bad the economy is so bad. I've started two new books, one a series of first chapter books that will hopefully be funny. Guess I'll have to start my e-book publishing business this year. With the increased demands on using technology in the classroom, e-books would be more beneficial to teachers. It would cut down on the space used by bookshelves in the classroom, too. I thought about this a few years ago. As a teacher, also, I use the document camera a lot when reading with the class because I usually don't have several copies of the book I want to read with them. They love reading that way. I think they would really enjoy e-books.

Anyway, got to get busy. Perhaps one day soon the economy will rise again and I will reach my goal of getting 4 new books published this year. If not, I will have my illustrator do the artwork and I will start my own publishing company so that I can reach my goal.

GP:)

Publishing World and Recession

I just read a few articles yesterday on the recession and the publishing industry. I never thought the big R would reach that far, but I was wrong. Here I was, so excited about possibly being published with a big publisher like HMH, and then come to find out that they put a freeze on acquisitions back at the end of 2008. I can't help but wonder whether the freeze came before or after I received the letter to revise and return for a second look.

Anyway, this all got me thinking about my original idea of self publishing, and not in hard copy. I have the means, the ability and the software to publish my own e-books and sell them as digital, so I suppose I may do that. I mean, I can sell them for a lot less than traditional publishing houses and give people the entertainment they want for less. Schools can access the digital version for reading online and sharing with a class. I don't know. I guess between now and summer I may be working on that. I'm getting quite the repertoire of books finished and I just started another series featuring a third grade class clown, Bobby J and his antics, akin to Junie B. Jones, but older character and all taking place at or near school.

It is the way of the world, change, and this recession is making many changes. I just hope my digital bookstore will be successful. I mean, really, how many households have computers these days and how many kids are more proficient at using them than adults?

We'll see what happens, I guess.

GP:)

New Ideas

I'm in stuck mode with my writing. I'm trying to think of a new series idea for beginning chapter books, but it's just not coming to me. I should really be working on my YA series, but I'm strange like that. I've been working so hard on the four I've sent out, that I kind of want a little break from writing for a while. That's okay, I guess, as long as I continue to write every day in some fashion.

Anyhow, as soon as I hear something good about the first book in the series, I'll have to go back to working every morning on the second book, and then the third and so on. There are six books in the series. In between, though, I thought I might like to try a humorous beginning chapter book for younger kids, but I'm stuck on ideas. So many have been done about school. I want to do something original, something not out there. It will come to me. Until it does, or until I hear about The Gifted Ones, I'll keep thinking. Once I get started on writing a book, I will almost have to finish it before I can move on to the next one.

I'm reading The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz. I think I'll go read a chapter or two before I start writing. Very interesting book! Of course, I love dogs, and DKs books, so it would be interesting to me.

GP :)

Rainy Monday

Well, it's a rainy Monday here. I've been taking a break from my writing. I'm running a mailing for my first book today to some local schools including free bookmarks. I didn't realize I would have to do so much marketing to sell my book. I thought the publisher did that stuff, after all, they would like to make money on it, too. I mean, when all is said and done, if the mailings even work, I'll only make half the amount of royalties off my book. Oh, well, I guess if it takes off, it will be worth it. Must be the rain that is making me so moody and negative.

I'm trying to think of a series that kids will really enjoy. I have numerous books to work on, but I want to try something different, something today's kids will like and want. I guess all writers do that, hoping.

Off to face the day and the rain. Next time.

GP :)

Another Manuscript in theMail

Yesterday morning I sent Moon Thief to an agent. This weekend I'll send Master Stinky Dances, a picturebook, to an editor or two. I took a break from writing this morning and did some research I needed to do. Tomorrow morning, though, I start again on another manuscript. I think I have decided on the next one to work on. Tomorrow, I become a thief's daughter!

I'm looking forward to working on this one. It should be interesting. I plan to tie many situations from my past into the storyline (not that I was a thief's daughter). I think readers will like it.

I'm reading a Dean Koontz book on the side. I love the way he uses metaphors and symbols in his writing. I aspire to be as good at Children's Books as he is at Adult books. I say adult, but he's got my 14 year old daughter hooked with the retriever characters. We have a half retriever and its amazing how much he reminds us of Einstein in Watchers. I think she reread Watchers as often as she reread the first Harry Potter book at the age of 7. (She'll probably kill me for admitting that in public, but not many kids--and adults--didn't love Harry when he first came out) We love dogs!

Anyway,
All for today. Tomorrow I start again! Hope anyone reading this is looking forward to seeing more books from me. Send me a reply!

GP :)

Back to the Rat Race

It's Monday. It's back to the rat race day! I worked all weekend on two different manuscripts. I completed one, and then went back and revised a picture book manuscript I'm getting ready to send off.

Wow, I can't believe Monday is here and that I worked so much over the weekend. It would be so nice to spend my mornings writing until around 10 or 11. I get so much more accomplished in those early hours. Well, every writer needs a means of support, right?

I've posted a short story to my Authorsden website. Hope you enjoy reading it. It kind of fit my mood on Saturday after I completed a new middle level manuscript.

You know what I find the hardest thing to do? Write a query letter, or cover letter, to sell my books. I believe that takes just as long as a manuscript sometimes. Too bad it can't be like the old days when editors just read the manuscript and ignored the simple cover letter! Such is the way of things, though, when a field becomes inundated with competition.

Well, have a good Monday! I will certainly try. Looking forward to summer, though, so I can spend my mornings writing!

GP:)

Another First Draft Completed!

I've just completed the first draft of Moon Thief. I'll revise it a litte, and then let it rest for a while before going back over it again. I guess the only reason I'm spending a little time editing it right now is because I'm not sure who I want to be next. I have so many other books, so many other characters waiting for me, that I'm a little unsure which one to get to first.

I always have such mixed emotions when I complete a manuscript. First, excitement floods me that I could do it again. Then, I feel kind of lost, kind of grief stricken, especially if a character has to die off in the book. I posted a short story to my Authors Den last night about killing characters in stories.

Well, I should get back to writing. I wish I could do it all of the time. Who will I be now? I still don't know, but I'm sure I will have fun doing it.

GP :)

Working, Working, Working

Here I am again. It was so nice to have a couple extra hours Wednesday to write. I am so close to the climactic moment in Moon Thief that I just want to write and write and write. It's turning out to be a very weird story. I like it!

I may not be able to post as often now, unless I find time in the evening, because once my mind is set on finishing a book, that's all I want to work on, aside from my normal job.

I may even miss the Super Bowl this weekend! I hope Arizona wins this year. I'll be rooting for them! Go Cards! Don't get me wrong! I like Pittsburg, too, but they've been there recently and I always root for the underdog. Should've seen me jumping last year when the Giants took it! What a game! Of course, every year I root for the home team, my Cowboys, but they're really out of it right now. C'mon Cowboys! Get your stuff together next year!

Well, gotta get back to it!

GP :)

Ice Storm

Wow! Is this a writer's dream day or what? We had an ice storm roll through Texas last night which will delay openings of almost every business, school, etc. I found out yesterday before I left work that we would not have to come in until 10 this morning. I love this weather. This morning at least, there is no reason for me to leave my computer. I can write this morning for a couple of hours without distraction or urgency to have to leave! Yes!

I am so close to finishing my manuscript, Moon Thief, that I would love nothing better than to stay home for the next week and work on it. I'm like a bulldog when it comes to writing the last 50 pages or so, tenacious and I don't want to quit. Matter of fact, I get grouchy at my other job because I can't be at home writing. Time for a career change, I guess. If only.

Got to go use this precious time to write!

GP :)

I Did It!

I reworked both manuscripts over the weekend and resent them. Crossed fingers X. All I can do is give it a try. I am at the climax of another manuscript now, and when I get to that place, it is all I can think about. It's very difficult to leave the house, my computer, my other self, when I am so close to finishing another book.

If I keep going at this rate, and all of my manuscripts are as good as I think they are, then I just may meet my goal for the year of having 4 more books published.

I went to the bookstore yesterday and picked up several of my fave author's (Dean Koontz) books! Can't wait to start on them.

So much to do, so little time in the day.

GP :)

Agent/ Editor Rejection Letters

Okay, so I'm slightly confused, and although I feel I am a great writer who will someday be recognized for my talent, and who has never had a problem reading between the lines of prose, I find that I am having just that difficulty now! I have received two rejection letters recently for two different titles, one an agent, one an editor.

Agent suggested general revisions to the beginning, said I was a very talented, creative writer, and hoped I would continue to submit to her.

Editor suggested rewrite from poetry to prose, and resubmission of new manuscript when complete.

Am I reading these few constructive lines incorrectly, or do I actually have a shot?

Regardless of my ignorance, as I have always received the dreaded form rejection, I believe I will rewrite and resubmit both. Any helpful suggestions?

Thanks,

GP :)

Literary Agent Woes

AAAAAGGGHHHHHH! I'm stuck. I have sent one of my manuscripts to an agent and they told me the beginning was weak, but they would like for me to continue to submit manuscripts to them because I am a creative writer with lots of possibilities! I have rewritten the beginning (I knew I was taking a chance on it and that it was weak, and my inner writer knew not to let it go like that!) and now I am not sure if I should send it back to them, or to someone else! This has given me writer's block! What to do, what to do?!

Until I make this decision, I cannot write the end of the other manuscript I have almost finished, because I am so focused on this other decision! I need an agent! Help!!!!!!

GP :)

My book is out!

Good Morning World!

My book No More Stinkbugs! is out and ready for you to purchase. I'm new to this blogging stuff. I have just posted a youtube video: Author Gean Penny: A Bookaholics Testimony. That was new to me also. I've never done a video. I prefer to be the one shooting them rather than in them.

I will try to blog every morning, or evening, but I am writing several more manuscripts and plus that I teach, so I prefer to give my spare time to writing for you. Blogging is writing, though. Sometimes my entries may be short. I'm not quite sure what to write about to let the world know me better, I guess just anything, almost. Well, time to work on my book. Catch my youtube video and let me know what you think! I think it's kind of stupid, but I would. Visit me at my website, too, and on Authorsden. I'm hosting a writing contest for kids. http://www.gean-penny.com/

Later.
GP :)