ABOUT THE BOOKSTHE JACK MCMORROW MYSTERIESBRANDON BLAKE: A CRIME NOVEL

June 14th, 2009

A fellow writer wants to know

Leigh from Portland, Maine sent a note asking if I had any advice on fellowships, etc. that would give him time to finish his first mystery novel, start another. I’m probably not the best person to ask as I’ve never gone that route. But there must be others out there who know what’s available, how competitive it is. Leigh is a journalist, poet, fiction writer with a long list of credentials. Seems like a good guy so I’m sure he’ll appreciate any writerly advice.

I told him that I only got one piece of advice way back when: Robert B. Parker advised unpublished writers like me to finish the book and send the ms. to somebody who would know whether it was good or it was crap. I remember him saying, “Don’t show it to your mother.” So I didn’t. Instead I sent it off to people in the biz. In a matter of weeks, I got one form letter rejection, two encouraging notes from agents, and then a letter from a regional publisher saying they wanted to buy my book. That was DEADLINE (1993).

Anyway, if you can help Leigh out, please comment on this post. I’m sure others will benefit as well.

One Response to “A fellow writer wants to know”

  1. admin says:

    A friend, Alexis Grant, just landed a 5-week writing fellowship. She’s an ex-print journalist writing a travel memoir. Check out her blog. http://alexisgrant.wordpress.com/

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