An update on my works in progress.
AFTA—An editor wrote back in response to a query letter I sent, saying he would like to see the full manuscript of this comedy-horror novella. That’s the first time I’ve 
had a positive response to a query letter. Ever. That’s good because there is a lot of advice out there on how to write a good query letter and I’m not sure I had exactly rang the bell with this one. The fact that at least one editor’s interest was piqued is a good sign.
Now all I have to do is wait. I’ll let you know what happens.
TMWSE—Last time I updated you guys, I had finished a first draft of this horror story. I was sick last week, so I just did some prewriting on my writing Sunday, instead of finishing off the 2nd draft. I didn’t want to do serious work without being at my best. The good news is that I’m about 2/3 done with the 2nd draft, counting my work over the previous week as well.
The upshot? I should have this done soon—taking into account a little break for the Holidays—and then it’s off to my four Beta readers. I’ll give them a chance to get back to me and then head into the 3rd (usually final) draft. I will do a reveal of the title of this short story when I send it off to the Beta readers.
Breakpoint—Status quo here: three rejections so far and it’s still with the same magazine. No word from them yet. It’s getting a bit above the average response time for this particular magazine according to Duotrope. I’m hoping the magazine’s staff is just taking the Holidays off and will dive back into the slush pile come the new year. They have a 90-day limit before sending a query and I’m nowhere near that. So, time to wait and see…
Stay tuned. In the coming weeks I will have a look back at my 2014 in writing and a look forward to what I’d like to do in 2015.
See you next time,
Darius
Inside the Writer's Mind 