I finished writing my mystery today. I started it in 2009 and put it up with what I thought were only a couple of chapters to go. When I stopped, I had just finished chapter 15. So, when I picked back up a couple of weeks ago, I figured a day or two would do it. Well, I found out I was really just at the fork in the road. I had to decide which road to take. After I thought it out, I had to take both roads if I wanted the story to cover all of the situations I had incurred. Those situations created only more situations which I had to address. So today I finished all that I am going to. I put in what I think is a great monologue and wrapped it up. But I left enough details unanswered that if I want too,,, I could step right back in with a sequel.

I ended up with 30 chapters, 91,952 words and 392 pages... this is all contingent on what I come across when I do the re-read and editing for typos etc.

This is not the book that has the cover that drove some people crazy looking at it. I hope by next week, I will be able to get it published on Amazon.



Garry-

That's a cool project, Garry. Best of luck with sales.

Have you tried to find an agent for a traditional book publishing?

Jim

James... I tried to find an agent on the first one I wrote, and I was turned down by 42 agents. So just gave up on them. I had three of them tell me if I wanted to sell fiction it needed to have sex, booze, drugs and foul language. That is not the kind of things I want to sell or even to write. Believe me I am not against sex, booze or foul language, and against drugs. If I wanted to raunchy crap I could certainly, do it.

So, when Amazon came along, I thought well, I will try it, sell what I can sell and forget about the rest.

I haven't sold many of the first novel but I have sold some... I just sold two a week ago one man and one woman... I was really pleased when they both said they couldn't lay it down the had to keep reading to see what happened next... I said that is what I wanted.

Now, that novel has some political references in the beginning that turns some people off... but if they keep reading they understand what the book is all about.

As far as agents I am through with them... I sent the first chapter of the one I just finished to a lady that got in touch with me... she was an alleged editor. She redid the first 2 pages... and I couldn't even recognize it as anything I had wrote.

How about you, you have any luck with them?

Garry-

Congratulations on finishing another book. I love to read and tip my hat to you authors.

You would probably like Besieged From Within I wrote it has a lot guns, hunting and some trapping as we as kicking the butts of the bad guys. It is strictly fictional, but is about what could happen to our country if we let the hard core communist Liberals take over and do what they would like.

Garry-

I haven't had any luck with agents either, though I did get a very good critique from one.

I've almost finished editing a spy novel set in Japan, and will look for an agent again when it's done.

There's no doubt the book publishing industry is very woke. I don't have a gay or trans character, so that's one strike against me.

I haven't published novels yet, just short fiction. For short fiction, you don't need an agent; just submit to the editor.

Jim

My Nephew Dakota Krout/ Signed a contract with Amazon for 3 books - 1.3 Million

Wow! I never knew Amazon actually pays an advance.

That's cool.

Jim

Congrats on getting your book Completed!

Congratulations! Is this your profession or just a hobby?

Well since I am retired, it might be considered an avocation. I was a technical writer for a number of years, I have printed and published over 200 outdoor articles including trapping, hunting, fishing, naturalist, and general stuff. Wrote the Muskrats book, have been writing poetry and such stuff, since 1952 when I had my first poem printed in newspaper, and I have written two different booklets for a company biblical perspective to saving and thriftiness etc. Now trying to close out my life and put in print some of the things I have started over the many long years of my life. I may do my life story. Although it wouldn't be fiction it might appear that way.

So, I guess avocation is now the correct term.

Garry-

I certainly Hope You do well Actor.

Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement, I am proud to be able to have enough guts to do the publish thing. It would be nice to make a little money, but won't be too disappointed if I don't. I just like creating things, whether it is art such as painting, acting, singing, or writing. I guess I have gone through all of the rest now time to write.

Garry-