One Writer's Road to Publication:
Finding The Right Agent
Part III: Vegas Fun & A New Lead
Part II: Twelve rejections, two promising leads, and eyes fixed on the goal!
This past weekend we drove to Las Vegas. Though I eventually lost more than I won, I enjoyed about 30 solid hours of great entertainment at the roulette tables. In fact, I played so much that the MGM Grand "comped" a bunch of my expenses, including four tickets to the David Copperfield show. Though I absolutely love roulette, the show was probably the best and most memorable part of the whole trip.
See, Copperfield brought me up on stage to have his, of course fictitious, "love child." Picture this: Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" blaring throughout the dimly lit theatre, and Copperfield courting me with roses and chocolates. Then, after the child was "conceived" he brought out cigarettes, gave me one (Todd and Pam: I didn't smoke it!), and he smoked four. While I was having my sonogram (to prove that a child was actually conceived), he even gave me pickles.
It was a spellbinding ten or fifteen minutes that ended with him correctly guessing the name of the baby and insisting I kiss him, not once, but, hrmm... three times, in front of an enormous crowd. Not that I minded. Copperfield was actually better looking than I remembered. And quite the charmer... hence my new daughter! Besides, it's not every day that you get to kiss a supermodel's husband.
On a different note, November also proved to be a good month for the agent search. Though I haven't yet secured one, a highly respected agency on the West coast expressed interest to see a partial two weeks ago. Another step in the right direction. And it works wonders for an injured and weary ego.
I was also invited to this great networking group that meets in North Hollywood. I immediately fell in love with the eclectic group of writers, actors, directors, and filmmakers. Not only were they a deliciously motley group of artists, they were extremely helpful in offering up new ideas, new approaches, and new contacts. As most of you already know, networking really is key. I find this out more and more as I go along. I hope, through this group, to open more doors. I hope, too, to be able to share some of my findings with you guys.
This Issue
We're excited to bring you a Q&A with bestselling mystery-thriller novelist, Robert Levinson, who I've had the honor to meet a couple of times since moving to L.A. The transcript is inspiring. Enjoy!
Also, in our feature article, Jenna Glatzer decodes the mystery behind form rejection letters--one of the necessary evils of, and easily the most tortuous part of, the writing business.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday! Enjoy the issue. See you next month!
Jennifer Minar
Editor-In-Chief
WritersBreak.com & Writer's Break Monthly
P.S.: Recently, we learned some sad and shocking news. Our editor, Diane Domingo, passed away. She died unexpectedly, just a few days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Diane was (still is) very special to me. She was a great lady with a huge heart. She was also an excellent mentor and integral to the launch of our web site. She's already missed. If any of you who knew Diane would like to write to her family and offer your condolences, you can reach them at her daughter's email address: tierneyqotw@earthlink.net. Her name is Alison Domingo.
