After a four-year hiatus from the first book in my Delamagente-Rowe series, I finally think I’ll get it done. I had a few interruptions–agent interest in the series’ second book, deadline for two non-fic series I write–but I think I’m going to make it this time. The short blurb for this thriller–still a work-in-progress is:
…a brilliant PhD candidate, a cynical ex-SEAL, and a quirky bot team up against terrorists intent on stealing America’s most powerful nuclear weapon, the Trident submarine.
Here’s what I did this past month:
- queried agents. I’ll be doing this for a few weeks.
- waited on agent responses. Tick tock…
- collected marketing ideas from you-all. Here’s a master list of 29+ marketing ideas from writers like you. Share it with writer friends; add your own ideas.
- talked to professional editors. Just in case. It’s good to be prepared. I’d like this on the virtual shelves in time for Christmas.
- thought about the cover. I have found a few people who might be able to help with that.
- tried to clean up other writing obligations so I can concentrate on To Hunt a Sub‘s next step.
By this time next month, I hope to be talking to one agent or working with an editor. Either one is fine with me.
More on To Hunt a Sub’s progress:
How I’m Doing on ‘To Hunt a Sub’
How I’m Doing on ‘To Hunt a Sub’
How I’m Doing on ‘To Hunt a Sub’
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
worddreams.wordpress.com 
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Best of luck, Jacqui. You’ve almost reached the finish line. 🙂
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I’m further than I’ve ever gotten–which thrills me! Still a few decisions to be made…
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It looks like you are heading in the right direction Jacqui, all the hard work will pay off.
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Thanks, Kath. Time will tell. Hmm…
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Hey, that sounds a lot like my last few weeks. Except I’ve also decided to launch myself in my first self-published adventour (a short story).
Good luck with all your endeavours 🙂
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When you love writing, it’s always the default activity. That means you do it a lot each month.
I’ve never heard of an adventour. I’m going over to your blog to check it out.
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BLUSH
I meant an adventure…
Hey, but there may be an idea in there!
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Ah, of course. I’ve done many of those typos myself. Happy Labor Day!
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Best of luck, Jacqui. I wish I could get back into it after my four year hiatus – you may have just inspired me 🙂
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I’m afraid to stop because I may never start again. So, I know what you mean.
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Way to go. Plan A, Plan B. Either way you’ve got what you need to get there. Tell us when we can order our copy!
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There’s a lot to say for Plan B. I may sell less books without an agent, but I probably won’t make less money. That will sooth the sting a bit.
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Yay! I can almost feel it in my hands now! I’m so excited for you. It will make an excellent Christmas gift to myself 😀 Good luck with the finishing touches.
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Slowly but surely, I’m inching my way forward. It doesn’t help that this is my first fiction to be published. That makes me more reticent. Non-fic–I’m a pro.
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I can understand that, and empathise with the change in pace – but I also want my hands on that book!
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Keep it up Jacqui!
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🙂
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Tick tock is right. Waiting isn’t easy, but I keep busy while I wait. Good luck with your projects.
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Me, too. I don’t believe in juggling one ball. I always have several going. As do you, Medeia! You’re a master at that!
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Jacqui, I am impressed (and a tad bit envious) of your ability to see things through. Whatever the outcome you are a success in my book (pun intended)! I really do admire you and your accomplishments.
Can I come and just listen in at 6 pm?
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Yes–do join us!
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So good to know how much progress you’ve made – congrats on the hard work. Would love to talk with you about the query process, and how you contacted editors. Perhaps later this evening, if you have time?
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Yes, let’s plan that. Or early? If you want to come at 6pm? Just let me know.
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Yes, thank you, I’ll show up at 6!
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I see momentum here. Go with it.
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It’s the most momentum I’ve had in years. I’m gonna do it!
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Very cool. Best wishes and I hope that you find the right agent and this time next year they refer to Tom Clancy as the guy that wished he was Jacqui Murray.
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Hehe. Sigh. What a writer he was.
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Keep writing. I’d like to read it, so that’s one book sold. 😉
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Hehe. I’ll probably do the Kindle freebie and you can save the money. We’ll see. Or we can trade books.
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Sounds like a winning premise. Best of luck to you with it!
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Thanks, Carrie. One way or another , it’s going to end!
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Yeah! Congratulations. I like the blurb and am definitely hooked. Best of luck with the agents…patience is the word methinks!
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Thanks, Annika! I still have to work on the whole patience thing.
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I’m busy, or busy in an author way, writing my third book, and I’m determined to get myself an agent this time, as I think a good agent is firstly very good for morale ( a key ingredient for an author in the modern marketplace, and secondly, may well have marketing ideas and contacts you cannot get near as a new author. That is my theory anyway
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I do always start with querying agents. I’d rather avoid a lot of this work. So far, though, it hasn’t worked!
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Best of luck! I’ve been lazy / timid and thus the relatively care-free CreateSpace option looks too simple to resist.
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I think that’s a great option. At some point, I may decide that’s a better ‘path of least resistence’.
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