No News Could Be Good News…or Laziness

February 2nd, 2009

Hey everyone! I know it’s been a while since I updated the ole blog, but I have been working [somewhat] diligently on some matters related to “Ancient City Christmas.”

Thanks to all of my amazing family and friends (plus a few strangers), I’ve been blessed enough to sell 60 copies of my book since Thanksgiving! Give yourself a big hug from me if you’re one of those terrific folks who took an interest in my project–I really appreciate it!

My next order of business concerning this book is to make a good-faith effort to attain a literary agent. For Christmas, my mom gave me Jeff Herman’s “Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents” which promises to be the best reference guide in the industry. Herman’s advice and experience suggests that attracting a literary agent is [relatively] easier than trying to go straight to a publisher.

Based on that, I’ve started to pour over the profiles of each and every literary agent listed in Herman’s guide in search of folks who might be interested in my project. This is much easier said than done.

I know the title of my blog promises absolutely NO arithmetic, but even those of us who are not well-versed in the math realm can understand that when a literary agent tells you they reject 98% of what they recieve, the odds are not in your favor.

Still, that’s no reason to give up–and I have no plans to do that. I’ve identified about a dozen agents whom I’d like to contact as soon as I complete my final overhaul edit of “Ancient City Christmas.” As I see it, I have nothing to lose. If no one is interested in taking on my project, I can continue to utilize the self-publishing route for this book and its sequel (tentatively titled “Kudzu Summer” and do out sometime in April, perhaps).

So that’s where things stand for the time being. Outside the writing world, I’ve just completed my final bit of graphic design work for Florida State (which is my excuse for not having done more with ACC since December) which has given me both the financial and mental freedom to get back to persuing my writing goals.

I hope the first month of 2009 has been good to you and that the next 11 will be better!

Later days,

Shannon

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Acknowledgements

December 5th, 2008

In life, there are two phrases you can never, ever, EVER say enough:

(1) Thank you

(2) I love you

Along the lines of number one, I wanted to post the acknowledgements as they appear in my book, Ancient City Christmas:

First, I have to thank my parents for not laughing at me when, two months into my unemployment (with a mounting pile of student loans), I announced that I was going to write a novel. Thanks, too, for the twenty-four years before that–your endless faith in me means more than I could ever say.

To the rest of my family–Carla, Dave, Patrick, Nana, Papa, Grandma Sara, and all of my wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins, thank you for giving me decades of Christmas memories that aren’t anything like the ones I wrote about in this book!

Next, I have to thank my editor, sounding board, biggest fan, and greatest motivator–who also happens to be my best friend, Toni. If not for you and Michael rooting me on through the whole thing, I most certainly would have given up. You’re the best (and I mean it).

Thanks are also in order for the rest of my friends–Alicia, Jaime, Marisa, Julie and Tori–for all the love and support you’ve given me through this and every other stage of my life. I am especially thankful for those of you (and Chris) who endured our infamous night at Scarlett’s (we’ll chalk it up to research!).

Last of all, I’ve always had it in my mind that if and when I ever achieved my goal of writing a novel, I would thank all of the amazing teachers who have impacted my life over the years. Each and every one of you served as a guiding light in my progress, and not even this gesture can possibly thank you enough for your dedication and service.

So a big thanks to all of you: Mr. Alexander, Ms. Ashley Mrs. Baldauff, Mr. Biles, Mrs. Bruner, Mr. Dunham, Mr. Edwards, Mr. English, Mrs. Esser, Dr. Gilmer, Dr. Heere, Mr. and Mrs. Fecteau, Mr. & Mrs. Holt, Dr. James, Mr. Keating, Dr. Kent, Mr. Kundmueller, Mr. Lassetter, Mrs. MacDonald, Mrs. Madden, Ms. Mars, Ms. Mason, Mrs. Milton, Dr. Mondello, Mrs. Morrison, Dr. Rayburn, Dr. Reynaud, Mr. & Mrs. Romaine, Dr. Rudd, Coach Ryan, Mrs. Schill, Mr. Schwarm, Ms. Sparapani, Mrs. Traynor, Mrs. Wamser and Mrs. Wells (my apologies to those that may have slipped my mind, I thank you as well).

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BUY THE BOOK HERE

December 5th, 2008

Head over to my website (www.shannononeil.net) and click on the green button to purchase my debut novel, Ancient City Christmas. The book is for sale on Lulu.com, which is where the button will take you. You have to create a username and password for Lulu, but it only takes a second and doesn’t cost a penny. I only make a small percentage of money on each book sold, but to me, that’s not what it’s about. I just want to share this story with anyone who wants to read it–including you!

Once again:

www.shannononeil.net

GET THE BOOK!

Later days,

Shannon

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