Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Yoga, golf, life....

Enjoying my Hatha Yoga.  Today's class should help the hula-hoo-hip I developed after the 60's sock hop we went to Saturday night.  OK, so I didn't win, the hula hoop contest, but, by golly, I hung in there, spinning and spinning.  Oh, my aching glutious muscles!  Tomorrow it's 18 holes of golf with the ladies.  I am absolutely the WORST of the lot, but they humor me.  At least I don't slow anybody down as I chase after lost balls at the speed of light.  I get more exercise than most golfers, believe me.  Looking forward to Memorial Day weekend and some company for a cookout.  The lake will be humming with boats, jetskis, and skiers.  It's the official opening of life on the Lake.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Agent alert

I just got an email from a NY literary agent asking to see my ms.  Very excited!!  Though the setting of my YA novel is SW Virginia, the theme is universal:  Young girl looking to find family and historic roots discovers many layers of life built into the foundation of her heritage.  It was fun to research and write; publication would be a bonus!  I know the whole process takes forever, but I'm willing to work through it if somebody will just take me on.  Wish me luck!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Life is popping at Smith Mountain Lake

So much going on in these parts.  The annual Lakeside Singers concert will be first weekend in June and it's gonna be wonderful!  "Kitz @ Heart," is the theme--great songs from Disney, Oz, Seussical, and much more.  Lakeside Singers is a part of the Smith Mt. Arts Council, which provides a huge variety of activities related to the arts.  We have coffee houses featuring singers and instrumentalists and comedians; we have an art contest and a photo contest and this year a novel-writing contest; we have play-readers and stained-glass groups, and writers groups and a zillion other special interest venues.  There's a program in the schools which brings writers and actors  and musicians into the classrooms and each year scholarships are awarded for students who will study the arts.  I wrote press/publicity for them for 3 years; it was a year-round job. It's nice to be able to retire in a location that values the arts in such an intense way.  I'm a long-time fan of the Smith Mountain Arts Council.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Working to get my novel published

which is no easy task these days, despite electronic submissions.  I have sent queries, synopses, chapters, and the full ms. in various combinations as requested to five small publishers.  Also have in 4 e-queries for agents.  So far.....nada.  If I had a cutting-edge book needing quick publication I'd be outta luck.  Of course, if I had a cutting-edge book, instead of young adult fiction, I might have had more responses....hmmmm.  Will try to add several agent queries each week until I hear SOMETHING from SOMEBODY.  Sigh

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Getting to Know Me

I am an author who lives on Smith Mountain Lake, VA. I belong to Lake Writers and do press for several local organizations. I've done a lot of free-lance writing since I've moved here and am currently trying to peddle a Young Adult novel based at the lake.

 My first book, Eaglebait, was published by Harcourt. It won two major awards, NY Public Library's "Books for the Teenage," and the International Reading Association's "Young Adult Choice."

I have just finished a YA novel based on Smith Mountain Lake.