Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Comments: 2

Hi Gang (all my faithful followers). I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah, which ever is your belief. My wife and I had a wonderful time too. It was great having my son and his 5 (almost 6) kids, and my wife's brother, with us. We also enjoyed Skyping my other son and one of my daughters. The other daughter we contacted by text messaging (she doesn't have Skype).


So what have you all been up to.If you want, I'd love to read your stories.

Like I said in earlier postings, I'm doing this blog to help you all see what I have gone through to become a published author, and now all I'm going through to get my book to sell. The two ain't the same, believe me. I'm struggling to learn what to do just to get my book noticed. My publisher has done a great job of printing, editing, designing cover art, and promoting it to Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes&Noble. I think there's another outlet they've used to sell my book, but I can't remember what it is. I've never heard of it, so I doubt they'll sell many copies.

Now, I'm trying to get reviews. The ones some of you have done for me are great and I truly appreciate them. I'm learning, however, that the more reviews you get on Amazon, Goodreads,  and Barnes&Noble, and the more "Likes" and "Shares" you get on Facebook the more likely you are to sell books. "Likes" let Amazon know how popular the book is on Facebook. "Shares" lets your "Friends" know it's for sale and any other bits of information like this blog post. By the way, if you want to read the great reviews Bridgetown High has garnered so far go to this Amazon site: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1680583093/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
In case you find several other books written by Paul West, they ain't mine. There's another Paul West who has written several books. So, I always add my middle initial "W" as in Paul W. West.

I'm also learning how to use blogs, like this one. One of the things I'm learning is to collect email addresses if any of you, my followers, would like to be notified of offers, events, etc. I still have a LOT left to learn. On the sidebar here, there's a place for you to add your email address if you would like to.
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About Paul West

Paul West is a freelance writer and novelist. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paul claims to be a "Prune Picker," though he now makes his home in Taylorsville, Utah.

You can follower him on Twitter: @PaulWWest

Published: Tuesday, December 29, 2015

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My brother bought several copies of my book for our siblings. He also sent a picture of them. I thought it was a beautiful sight. He wants me to sign them and send them to him and our siblings.
If anyone of you want a signed copy, go ahead and send it to me, with enough postage to return it, and I'll do that for you.

With the Christmas season underway, I haven't had much opportunity to write or even do some marketing. But while I can't prove it, I have the feeling my book selling well anyway.
If you want a laugh, I still haven't got a copy of Bridgetown High! In fact, I never saw a copy until a sister in my church brought it to church to let me see it. My wife says she'll buy a copy after Christmas.

This past year has been exciting, especially ever since Limitless Publishing published my novel. Thanks to all of you too, for making this adventure possible.

In case I don't get a chance to write in here until after Christmas, I want to wish you all a very happy and merry Christmas and New Year.
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Hi, all my faithful followers.

Whew! Last week was so busy, both at work, at home, and on-line. My publisher, "Limitless Publishing," got "More Than Words Promotions" to host what they called a blog tour for my book "Bridgetown High." Unfortunately, I wasn't able to follow it, but I have been able since then. My novel received some good coverage, but I'm a bit concerned that few of the blog sites supposed to participate in the tour were interested in my genre. Most seemed interested in writing and publishing romance/erotica. Not particularly what I think of as what I like to be associated with. Still, I got some good comments on my Amazon and Goodreads sites. I hope you'll all go and see them for yourself. While you are there, if you've read Bridgetown High, I hope you'll write a review. You will be helping in the marketing effort.



In case you haven't read it yet, I promise you it will be well worth the read. All my reviewers so far have given the book high praise, most 5 out of 5 stars. Barnes & Noble has recently began carrying my book, but there are no reviews there yet, but they are a bit cheaper. I wonder if there is a way to copy the reviews from Amazon and paste them onto Barnes & Noble?


I also have gotten some great feedback from Alumni of John Swett High School in Crockett, California. In case you are unaware, that is where most of the story takes place.

The biggest concern now, is that I have no idea how well the book is selling, or not. I can't find the sales figures anywhere, Amazon or Limitless. I just hope it's doing well enough to make a few dollars, LOL.
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A great big "Hi" to all my faithful followers.

I hope your Thanksgiving was warm and wonderful. Feel free to tell us all about it in the comment section below.

As for me and my wife, we had a great week, visiting with my sweet daughter and her family in south-central California, not far from the Pacific Ocean. The coast was breath taking with blue ocean water, bright sunshine, and green and brown on the hills and Coast Range.

I didn't get a chance to write or do any marketing, but that's OK. It gave me some time to relax, reflect on my progress as a published author, and reflect on my many Heaven-sent blessings and my role as a Son of God.

I know, I haven't said much about my religious beliefs and I don't intend to here, but let it be said (written) I believe in Christ, the Son of God.

Just one house keeping note here. Beginning Thursday, December 2, 3, and 4, 2015, my publisher "Limitless Publishing" will be conducted what they call a "Blog Tour" in behalf of my novel, "Bridgetown High." I have little idea of how it works, and I will only be able to follow along on Thursday during my breaks at work. I think this site may be a place to follow them -- I don't really know. Or, perhaps clicking on the Limitless web page will get you there. I hope I figure it out as I'd love to see what kinds of comments bloggers give.

On a humerus note. Two weeks ago, when I went to church, a lady in our Ward brought a copy of my novel and let me see it. WOW! Get this! That was the first copy of my novel I'd seen. When I got to my daughter's house I saw her copy too, so that makes two copies I've seen now.

Until the next time I write in this blog, I wish you all a wonderful day and week. Please let me know what you would like me to blog about. I'm thinking of helping you to write and publish your own works. Are you interested in that?

That's two things you can comment on, or anything else you would like to say.
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Hi to all my faithful followers:

My publisher, "Limitless Publishing," is going to do a blog tour for my novel, "Bridgetown High." This is great. Here's what they said:

"Limitless had paid for a three day tour event through a PR company for Bridgetown high. This event will take place on December 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

"More Than words Promotions will be leading this event and doing there best to gather bloggers to take part in sharing your work. A review option is offered to any blogger/reviewer that is willing to offer an honest review during the event. Once the date gets closer you will be given a list of tour stops for each day so you may follow this event right alongside of the bloggers and readers."

 In a day when most publishers, including the major ones, don't do marketing any longer, or at least not much marketing, I somehow got lucky to find "Limitless." They do a lot to publicize and promote the books they publish.


Thank you "Limitless."

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Hi, to all my faithful friends and followers.

After inundating all of you with my bad sales techniques (i.e. Buy My Book!!!), I kind of suspect y'all are gettin' kind'a tired of hearin' about it. I guess I was just too excited about finally being published, and wanted the whole world to be glad with me, and share in the story I wrote.

Probably a bad idea. I suspect a lot of you are about ready to scream, "NO MORE!" and jump ship. So, I thought maybe today I'd try a different tack. I realize most of you don't have any idea who I am. Well, maybe you've read my bio. That does give you some idea of who I am and where I'm coming from, but I thought for today I'd give you more specifics.


In case you haven't figured it out yet, I attended John Swett High School (Class of '65) in Crockett, California. I loved that school, and the kids who attended with me, as well as the teachers who were the greatest teachers I ever met. I suspect most of them have passed on to the Spirit World by now.

This is where I earned letters in Track during my last two years. Broke the school record in the 440 yard relays. I'm not sure that's ever been broken since then. Probably has.

This is where I played French Horn in the Concert band, and the Alto Sax in the Marching Band. I know. Those are quite different instruments, but I couldn't march with a French Horn, or the so-called "E-Flat," or "Peck Horn" the director wanted me to play in the marching band. That horn just wasn't cool, but everyone loved a sax player. Those were the days of Paul Desmond and Dave Brubeck.

This is also where I met and kissed my first girlfriend. More about that on another day.

So, that's about it for now. If any of you have any experiences like mine, I'd love to read about them on my Fan Page on Facebook. Or if you have any questions you'd like me to answer about writing and publishing, or where I grew up, I'll try to answer as best I can.
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Hi all my "friends" and relatives. In accordance with my publishing and marketing struggles, I have to admit I'm still struggling to get my book noticed. So far, I have no way to be sure it's even sold more than a handful of copies. So, here's my latest effort at making sales. Let me know if you think it's a good approach or not:

Is revenge truly justice...
... or just a sure path to more tragedy.
Find out in Bridgetown High, for sale on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/1680583093/ref=cm_sw_su_dp and please "Like" and "Share" this post.

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Hi, all my faithful followers. I want you all to know I truly appreciate those of you who have been following me for a while. You probably know, and maybe even grieved with me, as I've let you in on my struggles to become a published author.


By now I think you all know that my dream has become real! My book, "Bridgetown High." has become a reality. It's been exciting, and I hope you have shared that excitement with me.

Now, the journey is far from over. I still have to get people to purchase my book. I'm reading up on all the different ways to do that, but I have no idea if they are working. My biggest marketing tools are Amazon, Facebook, and Goodreads, but I can't find a way to determine how many books have sold, or how the sales are going.

My publisher is supposed to have some people who will write reviews in Amazon, but I haven't seen their reviews yet. Reviews are a huge part of marketing. It helps possible purchasers to decide whether to buy my book or not. For those of you who have bought my book, I sincerely thank you. Have you written a review yet? I would truly appreciate it if you would.

Hang in there, all of you, my faithful followers. The journey is not anywhere near finished. And, I have GERTA! waiting in the wings, so to speak, if I can find time to work on it.


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Hey, everyone. This is great! I'm getting some good publicity that I never would have expected. Check out the following link: http://www.newldsfiction.com/bridgetown-high-paul-w-west/


What do you think?
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Wow, what a week. I have to thank you all, my faithful followers and those who have recently started following me at this blog site. I want to thank all of you who have purchased either the e'book or the paperback. The book is selling. I don't know how many copies so far, but we've had two spikes this week on Amazon's ranking, for whatever that means. I can say this much, it's not a best seller yet, but I realize I need to do more marketing, exposing Bridgetown High to more potential readers.





If any of you have some suggestions of how to do that, please let me know.
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Another exciting day as the paperback version of Bridgetown High came out today. For all those of you who want a paperback version, it's now for sale at Amazon. Go to paulwwest.com or bridgetownhigh.com and follow the links.
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BRIDGETOWN HIGH, by Paul W. West is NOW AVAILABLE for Pre-Order on Amazon!!




Seventeen year old Mark Wilkerson has no memory of the fiery crash that killed his family on the Carquinez Bridge…

Living with his grandmother and burdened with guilt, Mark vows to find the hit-and-run driver and take his revenge. The only detail he remembers is round taillights swerving in front of his family’s car, and he’s shocked when he notices the car of the high school’s bully, Jeff Marino, has identical taillights—and a suspicious dent.

Now he wants revenge more than ever…

Jeff believes Mark is an anti-Vietnam War activist like his cousin Gary—and despises him for it. To make matters worse, when Jeff’s girlfriend Genie Lombardi dumps him for Mark, it kicks Jeff’s hatred for him to a dangerous new level.

Lies and threats escalate, until drugs and a shocking death send Jeff over the edge, and his campaign to get Genie back any way he can turns violent.

When Mark’s memory begins to return, it leads to a terrifying confrontation.

Will he finally prove the identity of the guilty driver? Or will he and Genie become one more tragedy associated with the Carquinez Bridge?






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Hey gang. I've been gone on a long needed vacation, but haven't forgotten you, all my faithful followers. I've been working on a new blog site and a new web page for my novel BRIDGETOWN HIGH. It's exciting and you'll see it as soon as it's ready.

In the meantime, keep in mind my Bridgetown High goes on pre-order this Saturday, Sep 26, and it goes live Oct 06.

“Is revenge truly justice… 
Or just a sure path to more tragedy…”
Read about it in:


BRIDGETOWN HIGH by Paul W. West 
releases Oct 6th!


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It's been a hectic past few weeks, largely due to getting everything together for publication of my novel. I finally got the dedication and acknowledgments put together and sent it in to Limitless Publishing for inclusion in my book. Between working full time, keeping up with normal household duties, gardening, and so forth I've hardly had a chance to breath. I have to admit, I've probably been something of a pain to Limitless, they have been very nice, working with me to iron out all my issues.

Next, I need to review a pdf version of my book and iron out any issues I see with formatting, spelling, punctuation, etc., before it goes to print, After that is the pre-publication sale on Sep 26 where all you faithful followers can order a copy or two (or more if you want) ahead of actual publication (they call it "live") due to happen on Oct 6.

A few days ago, a friend of mine I went to high school with contacted me. He is the Master of Ceremonies at our upcoming 50th Class Reunion. I hadn't heard from him since we graduated, so I was a huge surprise, and great to hear from him. Then, he dropped a bomb on me: he wants to honor me and my novel. Wow! That's great. He wants to have several copies of my book available for sale at the reunion party.

You see, Bridgetown High is set in John Swett High School in Crockett, California.

Then, I had to break the bad part of the news, my book won't be available for the reunion. The reunion is being held on Oct 3, three days before the live publication date.

Bummer!!!

Well, I have a lot of my old friends on Facebook, so I hope they will still purchase a copy or two (or more as they wish).

So, hang in there, all you faithful followers. The ride isn't over yet.


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Coming soon! Bridgetown High is going on pre-sale order from Amazon Sep 26, and going live Oct 6. From all the "buzz" surrounding this book, I think it could sell out fast.


Please share this with all your friends and family.

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What d'ya think? If you haven't seen it before, this is the cover for my novel Bridgetown High. Is this cool or what? I think if you click on the picture it will enlarge???

Ever since I got this cover this week has been exciting. My newest granddaughter is growing and doing well. I can't wait for an excuse to see her again. It's a bit of a drive.

Oh, yeah. You (all my faithful followers) probably want to read about my novel, beyond what I said about the book cover.

My son is busy creating a new website for my novel and a new blog for me. I've also been searching around trying to find ways to market it.

Limitless Publishing suggested I have a cover-reveal to show off the book cover (above). I guess you could say I'm doing that kind of piecemeal.

Next, is the pre-sale goes live September 26, so all you faithful followers can pre-order it so it will come to you as soon as it goes live. I'm hoping I can help set the price of the pre-ordered books to give you faithful followers a discount. Not sure if I can do this, but I'll try.

Going live will be October 6. So if you pre-ordered or can get on Amazon the day it goes live, you should be able to get it that same day.

I'm excited to see the actual book, hold it in my hands. Then, I can resume work on my next novel GERTA!.
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Woah! What a week.

First, I got a new granddaughter. She's a delight already. The hospital made my daughter sign a paper that she wouldn't tell anyone any of the details, so, sorry if you want more details. Hospital's orders.

Then, I got back all the edits from Limitless's editor and fixed what I could and commented on what I thought should be left alone. I don't think the editor understands colloquialisms and dialectics very well. That's OK. Hopefully he learned some of that from me.

A couple of days ago I got back the jacket cover and blurb. Fantastic, both. Everyone who saw it had about the same reaction: "Awesome!" Man, with a jacket cover and jacket blurb like these, I can't see why it wouldn't sell and sell big. Here's to crossing my fingers.

On top of that, my son just purchased domain names for me, for me and my book. What do you think of these:

http://paulwwest.com
http://bridgetownhigh.com


There's nothing on them yet, but he'll help me fill them out. I can't be more excited!!!

The book won't come out until October or November, so, all you faithful followers, hang on. The ride isn't over yet.
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Got back the first round of edits from my editor at Limitless Publishers. So far, he hasn't identified much in the way of content. He's mostly found punctuation issues. I think he is using a different standard than I've been taught. He only sent me the first 100 pages. That's about 1/3 of the total pages. Now, all I gotta do is find time to review the edits and agree or disagree with them.

So, for all you faithful followers who want to see what's involved in getting your novel published (either indi or trad) hang in there with me and I'll show you all the horrors (ha ha ha).
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WOW! To all my faithful followers, I ask: Is this timely or not?

NOT!

I just got this note in my email.

Dear Paul,

Hi there, and thanks for thinking of me! I just reviewed the opening pages of BRIDGETOWN HIGH, and I must say -- the concept of your novel intrigued me. I've been looking to build my YA fiction list, so I was looking forward to your pages.

That having been said, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass on your project because I didn't really connect with your writing voice as much as I would have liked. Your narrative flowed well, and you're definitely a competent writer -- I just thought your opening scene was slightly too emotionally overwrought, to the point where I found myself unable to sympathize with Mark, despite his terrible tragedy. Perhaps you could approach the scene from a different angle, one that's more heart-wrenching in a subtle way?

I wish I had better news for you -- I always like to remind writers that regardless of my subjective opinion, there are lots of agents out there. Who knows, someone might just feel that "spark" for your project and want to represent it as it currently stands. Please continue to persevere, and I wish you the very best of luck in securing representation!

My best,


If I had gotten this a bit earlier, I might have been able to mull it over and see what I could do to improve things.


Oh, well
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Does anyone know how to get people to read a blog? I guess when it comes to being technologically talented, I missed the boat when God passed that talent out.

My publisher, Limitless Publishing, asked if I minded that they slip the editing effort by a few days. Sure. I will still have two weeks to fix whatever he finds wrong, but won't effect the release date.
I hesitate to mention the date as that may end up slipping too. eventually.

I wrote back and said it was OK, but I'm extremely anxious to see what kinds of edits he comes up with. Bridgetown High (assuming the title remains the same) has been edited over and over by several people in my critique group. It reads pretty smooth in my opinion.

So, to all you faithful followers, hang in with me and see what the publishing process is like. And, when that is over, I'll teach you all how to write a best selling novel - assuming my novel achieves that status, ha ha ha. Or, maybe it will be GERTA! that achieves that status.

Oh, you don't know about GERTA! It's my next middle-grade novel. Here's a teaser:



She stood five-foot-eleven, had to be all of 450 pounds and smelled worse than a sewer. Her dull beady eyes looked out from a mass of tangled, dishwater blonde hair. Her twisted and puffy face was pocked with oozing acne. “IT’S GERTA! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!” We’d all scream in our best blood-curdling cries whenever we saw her. Everyone knew she was cooties of the deadliest kind and we would probably die if she ever touched us. But I loved her.

What do you think?
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My publisher, Limitless Publishing is, so far, doing a great job. They're requiring a lot from me, but they're still doing the bulk of the work. So far, the biggest task I've had to do was to go through my novel's manuscript and format it according to their standards. It took me a few days (considering I can only work on it during my lunch breaks at work), but I got it in on time. So far, so good. Now the novel is in their hands. They will now do the major edits for content, as well as for grammar, syntax, spelling, and anything else they might find.

So, for all you faithful followers (all 2 or 3 of you), keep tuned. There's a lot more to come. We haven't even begun to talk about marketing. That's the scary part. Wish me luck with that.
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For all of you faithful followers (all 2 or 3 of you) who have been following me faithfully to experience with me the struggles and frustrations of a would-be author, first you followed me through the querying process that took several years and still did not bear any fruit, but I got a publisher anyway by using a reference from a published author - and I thank you Tressa Jones.

Now, wow! It's been over a week and I'm feeling overwhelmed by what Limitless is asking me to do to get my novel ready for publication. I've had to go over my manuscript and format it to Limitless's requirements, and doing pre-edits, and they're giving me a tight schedule to get it done. Next, I will need to go over their editor's comments and edits and approve or change or reject them.

Marketing is going to be the next big effort. I'm anxious to see how they do it, and what they will expect me to do.

Hang in there my faithful followers. It aint' over 'till it's over.
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I can tell GERTA! is going to have to wait. I can't believe all the things Limitless Publishers needs me to do before they can publish Bridgetown High.

Has any of you (all 1 ore 2 of you) gone through all this when you got accepted by a publisher?

First, I need to reformat the entire work to their specifications. That's not so bad, actually. Computers are a wonderful invention. Then, I need to go through and edit for "point of view," "tense," "information or back story dumps," "over used words and phrases," "dialog tags," "consistency," and so on.

Not all that bad, really. Over the years that I've been working on BH I've pretty well weeded all that stuff out.

Then they want me to answer questions for the cover design. That one kind of concerns me. I have my idea of how it should look, but their Cover Designer may not agree. But at least they are giving me an opportunity to give my input.

Then there's the tax forms and payment forms, etc.

But, I'm excited, still. I had no illusions that the publishing process would be a cake walk. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make this novel take off and become the best seller it should be.

Wish me luck.
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... and now, it's time to resume work on GERTA!

Finally
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OK, all you faithful followers (all 1 or 2 of you, maybe 3) are you ready for this? He he he..... I'm holding on to the suspense for as long as I can (well if you probably already read on - STOP so you can share my excitement with me).

As I told you, probably more times than you cared to listen, that if you follow me, you'll learn all there is to holding onto a dream. I've shown you all my frustrations and agonies as I've worked on my novels, writing, editing, sending out queries, maybe close to 200 of them, and waiting, hoping against hope.

So, last week I told you all that I have a publishing company, Limitless Publishers, considering my novel "Bridgetown High."

THEY BOUGHT IT!!!!!

Well, not bought exactly, but Limitless offered me a contract and I signed it!!!

WOOO HOOO!!! I am super excited, and I hope you all will join my excitement.

The book won't be published for probably a year or so, but that's OK. That will give me time to learn more about marketing my novel, and building buzz before it comes out. If all goes well, I'll be having a Break Out Party on-line.

Thank you for following me and please invite your friends to join with me for more exciting news about the frustrations of writing and marketing your novels.
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Well, it's been about two weeks now and no word from my (hopeful) publisher. For my faithful followers (all 1 or 2 of you), I say hang in there. The Submissions say to give them four weeks.

OK, in the meantime, I'm not letting grass grow under my feet. I've sent out 5 or 6 query letters to agents, and looking into all the latest marketing methods to sell my novel (BRIDGETOWN HIGH) when it ever gets published.

Wow, there are a ton of methods. Some carry a minimal cost, but most are free, just take up some time and imagination. I think I have a good plan (and this blog is part of that plan). I just need a published novel.

I know. Some of you are going to say, "why don't you self publish?"

I've considered that, but for a first novel, I don't see that as a viable alternative.

Just wish me luck, or better pray for me.
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I think there must be a purpose to editors and publishers taking so long to get back with you. I think it's either to overcome our hyperventilation, or to die from a lack of oxygen while waiting.

In other words, no word yet on the status of "Limitless Publishing," though this waiting period is giving me more time to prepare for the marketing efforts to come. I'm learning that blogging is one of the best marketing tools available. So, I guess I should write more here on my personal blog. Only problem is, how do I get this blog read? How do people, all 1 or 2 of you potential readers, even know I have this blog? Once in a great while someone will stumble on it, but that's not nearly good enough if I expect to attract readers, and ultimately buyers of my novel.

Anyone know how this works?
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Is it time to get excited yet? Just got this email from my potential publisher:

"Paul,

"Limitless Publishing would like to request the full manuscript for Bridgetown High. Please send at your earliest convenience.

"Thank you,"

Not holding my breath just yet, but it's getting difficult to not hyperventilate.
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As part of my new marketing effort, I've gained a few more followers to my Facebook page. One of my new friends is an old friend from high school. She is friends with a published author and gave me the author's name and Facebook address.

I contacted this author and after reviewing my novel she referred me to her publisher, Limitless Publishing. I sent them a query letter, along with the first 4 chapters. They wrote back the next day, telling me she would send my novel up the line to the submissions team.

So, should I get excited yet? I need all your opinions (all 1 or 2 of you). As of two weeks ago, the publisher hasn't rejected me - at least not yet and promised to get back to me. What do y'all think?
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I've been sending out tons of query letters, re-written query letters, and re-re-written, etc. query letters all to no avail. It seems most literary agents prefer to represent fantasy and science fiction rather than a more serious novel set in the mid-1960s. I can understand that. There probably isn't a lot of demand for such novels, yet. But I've seen some best-selling, award winning young adult novels set in the 1950s.

I think a lot of agents' reluctance is that they don't think there's a market for my novel. Thus, I'm starting an undertaking of a new tact. Even though my novel isn't published (it could be if I wanted to self-publish it) I need to start marketing it throughout the literary world. Therefore, this post to my blog will be the beginning of my new marketing effort. I need to make my presence known to as many people, including writers, readers, literary agents, publishers, etc., as I can.


So, how am I doing? Are you (all 1 or 2 of you) actually reading this? What do you think of my plan? Do you have any suggestions?
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OK, so, I've sent out 11 query letters so far. I hope all of you (all 1 or 2 of you) are still with me. It's gonna happen!!! This time I'm going to get some requests for partials and even fulls. Then someone will offer me a contract for representation and that person will find a publisher who will relish the idea of representing me and will turn my novel into a big-screen movie and I'll make millions of dollars.

Wish!

Hope!

Dream!
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I'm now working with a new and revised query letter. My sweet daughter reviewed it and made some great suggestions. Now, I've sent it out to three agents, so hang in there (all 1 or 2 of you). Maybe one of them will respond??? LOL, not really likely, but wishful thinking. I don't intend to stop there with just 3 query letters sent out. There are something like 400 agents handling young adult novels. Not all of them will be interested, however, since they mostly rep fantasy/sci fi. Wish me luck in finding that one agent that will love my novel.
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Back in October I asked: If any of you (1 or 2 of you) would like to review my novel, I'd be very open to letting you do that, but I need an honest critique and I can't pay anything. However, I would be open to paying a percentage of the advance and royalties, assuming there are any.

Any takers?
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