Lessons Learned as an Author Continue

Another lesson I’ve learned as an author is perseverance. When I started writing, I sent short stories off to magazines and anthologies to get them published. I’m happy to report that on my 112^th submission I sold a story called Never Trust a Poison Dart Frog in an anthology titled Who Died in Here? that had either a death or a murder taking place in the bathroom. Since then, I’ve had many more rejections of novel length manuscripts, but I’ve also had twenty-two published books. Rejection just comes with the territory in writing, so stick-to-itness is an essential attitude for writers.

Lessons Learned as an Author

I’ve learned many things as an author. One of the first lessons learned is that you can write at any age. Here’s the range from my own experience. Several years ago at the Los Angles Times Festival Of Books, Morrie Markoff was there signing the first book he had ever written and published. It was titled, “Keep Breathing,” his memoir. At the time Morrie was 103 years old. On the other extreme, when I lived in Colorado, I mentored an eight-grade student whose school required that he work on a year-long project. The project he chose was to write a novel. I met with him every week to review what he had written and gave him feedback. By the end of the year, he had completed a rough draft. It was nowhere near being ready for publication, but he had accomplished something very important by writing a complete manuscript at his age. I started to write at the age of 56, and my first novel was published at the age of 62.

Writers Conferences

When I started writing in 2001, I was introduced to the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference in Denver. I attended for many years until we moved back to Southern California in 2015. This conference provided panels on writing craft, how to get agents and publishers, and how to promote a book once published. It was through this conference that I received my first book contract with Five Star as a result of a pitch session to Deni Dietz of Five Star at the conference. In Southern California I’ve attended the California Crime Writers Conference twice. This writers conference is held on odd numbered years in Culver City. These conferences are a good way to improve writing and to make contacts for publishing opportunities.

Speaking at Bookstores (continued)

Last Saturday I spoke at Mystery Ink Bookstore in Huntington Beach, CA, and signed my two most recent mystery novel, Murder in the Museo Kircheriano and A Mystery Yarn.

Speaking at Bookstores

Last Saturday I spoke at Book Carnival Bookstore in Orange, CA, and signed my two most recent books, Murder in the Museo Kircheriano and A Mystery Yarn. This coming Saturday, May 4 at 1 PM, I will be speaking and signing books at Mystery Ink Bookstore, Fernhill Clubhouse, 5472 Diamond Dr., Huntington Beach, CA.