How do I find an agent?

Persevere. The first step is to write a polished manuscript. Don't attempt to solicit an agent before your book is polished to the best of your ability. An agent may provide some editing guidance, but it is up to you to learn how to write quality fiction. The best routes for agent information are reliable sites like Publishers Marketplace or AgentQuery. com

How do you secure a traditional publisher?

You get out of writing what you put into it. Publishing takes guts. It takes patience and the willingness to learn from your mistakes and successes. Publishing traditionally is highly competitive. It is not the fast track by any means. It can take years to find a publishing house. My best advice to those who want to publish is to develop a tough skin-and believe. The rejection and time involved in striving for a contract can be daunting. You may think your work is amazing… your friends love it so why can't you land an agent or editor? Understand the industry you are entering! Know how it works! Understand the whys behind what sells and what does not. But above all learn how to write and most of all learn how to improve--constantly. Go into this business wearing a confidence that cannot be denied… and it won't.

My greatest reward now as an author is not the ISBN. It is mentoring other new writers looking to start on this journey. Seeing them shine and assisting them like established authors did me makes every rejection letter I received the greatest gifts I ever got.

It only takes one yes.

Can I send you my work for critique?

Depending on my schedule with deadlines I am able to look at short sections of works in progress of aspiring authors on a case by case basis.

What is with all the stone angels?

It is called a visual storyboard and an insider trick of the trade. I think in pictures… my mind constantly is attaching an image to my stories or metaphors to ideas. Many authors use storyboards as they craft their works in progress. Perhaps they find a picture of a hunk for their hero or a famous actor for their heroine and tack them on their office wall. Maybe a chateau serves as inspiration for a home or music as a theme for their overall work. The stone angels set the tone for a work in progress of mine.