Patricia Marcantonio's FELICITY CARROL AND THE PERILOUS PURSUIT

VERY excited to reveal my author Patricia Santos Marcantonio's cover for FELICITY CARROL AND THE PERILOUS PURSUIT, due in mid February through Crooked Lane. The perilous pursuit begins when Felicity's mentor Lord William Kent is murdered at the British Museum by medieval crossbow, where she learns the assailant has also stolen a priceless manuscript of King Arthur lore. Felicity is compelled to uncover whether Lord Kent was a target or merely in the way?

PNWA Conference Success!

I had a successful PNWA Conference. Not only did I meet with six editors, but I heard pitches and gave my talk on what to check in your manuscript before submitting to an agent--to a standing-room-only crowd. 

As a freelance editor and agent, it's rare to see a project that doesn't need a minimum of four revisions. Most agents don't have the time to devote that kind of editorial work to a project. This is what inspired my class and editing guide.

I'm working hard to get the book version of my editing guide out soon, as I truly believe it will help bridge the gap between what authors think is ready in a manuscript and what an agent does. 

Every manuscript has an Achilles' heel--or two--and oftentimes there are simple fixes. It's my hope that the editing guide will help bridge the gap and help authors reach their publishing goals, whether it's to get an agent, editor, or indie publish.

Writing and Symbolism

Like life, I like writing rich in symbolism. In researching for a ghostwriting project, I came across this list of communication symbols. I'd take it one step further and improve on these. Study your symbols and come up with truly unique meanings. Seeing crow as a bad omen isn't unique (or even interesting). Find truly unique characteristics if you want your work to stand out--and apply to your similes and metaphors; liken something to the characteristic of a symbol that I've never considered. Focus in, don't be broad. What do the Egyptians say? What about the Greeks? How about Ted Andrews of Animal Speaks? Challenge yourself.

40 Visual Symbols Every Communicator Needs to Know

Elizabeth Kracht's 2018 Conference Schedule

I wear two hats in publishing: literary agent and freelance developmental editor. If you want to pitch your book to an agent, these are the conferences I'll be attending this year: ThrillerFest in NY in July; Antioch Writers in OH in July; Willamette in OR in August; PNWA in Seattle in September; Book Passage Mystery Writers in CA in late September; and Walla Walla, WA in October. 

I have found more than fifty-percent of my clients through conferences.

Special Offer for Black History Month

I wanted to take a moment and share my author Danny Gardner's historical thriller for Black History Month--the ebook is just $2.99, though this is one of those books I'd rather have in hand. Danny is a meticulous historian whose books cover the period of 1950s Chicago. When I talked to Danny on the phone last, we talked for two hours about the heartbreak of his latest research for book two in the Elliot Caprice Series, which I'm so looking forward to reading. I wouldn't do our conversation any justice by trying to describe its contents, but my worldview has vastly grown for conversations with Danny, and I feel his work is important.

To read more about Danny and his work, click here.

To buy Danny's a copy of Danny's book, click here.

New England Patriot Nate Solder & Son Hudson

New England Patriot Nate Solder's son Hudson is fighting a rare kidney cancer.

Sports Illustrated just did a story on Hudson and the Solder family's journey with cancer.

To watch the Sports Illustrated video on Nate and his family's story, click here. 

I am currently shopping Nate's book--HUDSON'S HOSPITAL BAND--to help raise awareness and money for children's cancers.

Please also consider donating to The Jimmy Fund.