Still Writing

Hi Friends~I hope all of you are doing well. I've been absent from this blog for a few months. I haven't meant to let it go so long--but spring has managed to get in the way!

We have been working on our square foot gardening, as well as trying to keep up with the rapidly growing grass. We have had a 'well-watered' spring, so far, and all the green stuff appreciates it.

I had some good news today~another publisher requested to look at the first book that my daughter and I wrote together. We're a little excited about it! I still have another one out with another publisher, so I'm hopeful for that one, as well.

I trust all of you are having a wonderful spring!

Writing, Writing. . .

I have been doing quite a bit of writing lately, as well as some research. I'm still working on two projects for contests. My youngest daughter is co-writing one of the projects with me, which makes things go a little faster!

I've noticed that several magazines have gone out of business lately, and I'm wondering if the book publishing world is suffering any consequences of this bad economy. Have any of you heard anything?

Happy Writing!

Projects

I have a lot of unfinished projects in my life. Some have to do with decorating my home, some are paper projects, such as getting pictures in albums or scrapbooks, and some are writing projects.

Right now, I feel like I have too many projects in the works. My 'polishing' on my manuscript is almost done, so it will be in the mail next week. After that, I will feel a little more relaxed--maybe!

Last year, I planned to enter the Hillerman writing contest, but never finished. This year, I hope to get my manuscript off to the judges a month earlier than the deadline.

What about you? Do you juggle a lot of projects at one time, or do you mostly stick to one until it is finished?

Friday News!

Some great news arrived in the mailbox today. An editor has asked to read my entire manuscript! I've been doing a happy dance all day! Now, I have to get to work giving a last bit of polish to the story before I send it off.

I had a different editor request a full manuscript of my first book. It was ultimately turned down~so I've been here before. I'm hopeful that this time I may get a different result.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful, productive day!!

Christian Mystery, Suspense and Romance

This post on the Women of Mystery web site mentions a contest for those of you that write any type of mystery. I have an unpublished piece that I am editing. I am thinking about submitting it, but I'm starting to feel a little pressured by all these contests. Still, I'd like to get my work 'out there'. There are details on the Kiss of Death website.

Happy writing.

R~Mary

Have You Heard?

Barbour's Mystery Book Club is closing. It seems that the bad economy has touched them, too. This is the post that Joanne made on Friday: http://editcafe.blogspot.com/

This is a big disappointment to me, as well. As a writer of Christian mysteries, this puts even more limitations on where an unagented writer can submit. It's not that I'm giving up~I enjoy writing too much.

But it seems like a set-back, of sorts. I do write romance, so I can keep submitting to Barbour through that section. I've always loved Barbour. They are such a personal, friendly company and I wish the best for their publishing house in the future. And maybe, just maybe, their mystery line will make a come back!

R~Mary

Writing Contests

Are any of you thinking of entering the 2009 ACFW The Genesis contest? I have been a member of the ACFW for a few years, but I've never entered the contest before.

The Genesis is a contest for unpublished writers, open to ACFW members only. You are required to enter the first fifteen pages of your manuscript, plus an optional one page synopsis of the book. There are ten categories, so there is a category for almost everyone. You may submit more than one manuscript but there is a separate fee for each entry. The 2009 guidelines have not yet been posted, but the moderator informed members that the guidelines would be very similar to 2008--which included a $35 fee per manuscript entry.

My youngest daughter and I (we will be entering as co-authors) have a WIP that we think may be good for the Contemporary Romance category. We know this category will probably have the most competition, but we do feel it is a good story and it's a little different from the usual romance plot.

Here is the link to the 2008 contest (it should be updated in a couple of weeks for 2009).

http://www.acfw.com/genesis/