Highlights sale!

A nice early Christmas present... Highlights is buying a non-fiction article on a pillbug scientist that I wrote years ago, literally. They've had it for 21 months, so I'm thrilled they're buying it. Part of it explains how to create your own pillbug farm, based on experiments my daughter and I did when she was in first grade.

Agent Appreciation Day!

This blog is almost totally inactive, except for times like now when it's not! I must acknowledge my fabulous and funny agent Chris Richman with Upstart Crow Literary.
First, he's always responsive, even when I'm at my most neurotic. When I have a question or issue, he gets back to me almost immediately.
Second, his editorial eye is superb. I wanted an agent who would work with me closely on revisions, but I also wanted someone whose vision I trusted. Even in the instances when I don't agree with a suggestion, I understand where he's coming from (and those instances have been few.)
Third, he's fun and nice and down-to-earth and real. He seems to truly understand what writers go through, and reflects that in the way he deals with his clients.
Finally, I've been impressed with his sense of integrity. That's probably the most important thing to me, and he proved it early on, even before I signed with him.

I truly feel fortunate to have such a wonderful agent!

Rutgers One-on-One

I just received word that I've been accepted to the Rutgers One-on-One conference in October. I'm so excited! I'm hoping two of my Cyntenced to Write critique partners will be there as well. And my wonderful agent, Chris Richman of Upstart Crow Literary, is a mentor, so it will be nice to see him. Now to find out what airport is closest... I have absolutely no clue.

This is such good news, on the same week that Chris is submitting my chapter book manuscript to editors. Yay!

Vacation pictures

I've made this blog inactive-- too busy with writing projects and so much freelance work that I can barely keep up. But... where else do I post my wonderful vacation photos? We just got back from Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks. I hadn't visited for more than twenty years, and it was just as beautiful as I'd remembered. Plus remarkably uncrowded, which is something I never expect in California.

Some numbers

47 days walking on crutches
1 day walking in a boot
? days before being able to drive again
3 manuscripts copyedited or proofread in the past two weeks
400 pages (approximately) edited for these clients
42 pages of SAMMIE SHERMAN written as the first draft
42 pages still needing to be revised!

"Catastophe for the apostrophe!"

The abuse of apostrophes is already so great that this is a sad day (as reported by the Associated Press): England's second-largest city has decided to drop apostrophes from all its street signs, saying they're confusing and old-fashioned.

Update

My mobility has been limited by foot surgery a month ago. But it's given me a chance to finish the first draft of my chapter book, now titled SAMMIE SHERMAN AND THE ROTTEN, STINKIN' BROWNIES. I've also finished rebuilding my website, www.secondsetofeyes.com, and I'm very happy with the changes I've made.If you stumble upon this blog, let me know what you think. I can easily make revisions and additions to it.

I also coordinated our school's author visit by Debby Garfinkle, writer of nine published books in the past three years (what an outstanding accomplishment!) Her Supernatural Rubber Chicken series for kids is laugh-out-loud funny, and she was a delight to work with.

Today, I'm working on an edit job for a single mom who's applying to law school. I've been moved to tears by her heartfelt essays, and hope that the minor editing changes I've suggested will improve her application and chances for admission. She's the type of person who should be a lawyer. Our world would be a better place for it.