Updates

Today, I taught a one-day course on “Backstory Secrets” at the Alexandra Centre. Wonderful group of students–great day!

So, my beta reader gave me an amazing suggestion to add an epilogue to the novel. There was an important thread that wasn’t tied up, so we chatted and she gave me a wonderful idea. I wrote the epilogue, and it gives me chills. Not only that, but the baptismal symbolism resonates with the book’s opening. Thanks, Heather!!

The Nebulas weekend was a success on all fronts. The SFWA Board and Business meetings (the reason I go) were excellent, with a LOT of work accomplished. Programming was really good–I attended several panels and took lots of notes. AND, business-wise for me, I was able to connect with two agents, both of whom requested full manuscripts. Yay!

And on a fun note, John Hodgman was seated at my table for the banquet! I got a selfie and an autograph for Holly, and he was very down-to-earth; also, his comic monologue as Toastmaster was hilarious!

I now have 12 stories for The Sum of Us, and though the deadline is not until the end of the month, I’m starting on the edits now. By the time I finish these 12, I am sure the rest (or most of the rest) will be in, and I can carry on smoothly until they are done.

So, in support of that, I deleted a ton of stuff from my iPad and transferred the Sum stories there so I can take them anywhere. Such as to Chicago on Tuesday, for the Nebulas. I can work on the plane.

So much for starting the next novel…I picked up another editing project. But this is just a small one: two chapters. As always, one of the enticements is that it is an interesting story, and well written, so that makes it enjoyable. Novel…next week (or the week after…)