To recap where we stand with the quest for publication:

The first agent on the list of six has been mailed, and (per their request) given an exclusive window until November 21st. Haven’t heard back yet; I’m cheerfully pessimistic. Assuming no movement with agency number one, five more mailings go out on the 21st.

In the interim, I’m editing the manuscript for the first novel (guilty pleasure) and drafting the second in the series. Also: updating this web site.

I’m staying busy.

To tell the first big story arc set in Northern Arcadia – the romance of Pierre and Abigail and the struggle for Northern Arcadian independence – I’m guessing I’ll need around 750-1,000 pages. Collected in one volume, you’ve got yourself a daunting-looking novel. I’d prefer to split things up into slimmer chunks – a la the Amber series from Roger Zelazny.

Like Zelazny, I’m not going to be shy about using cliffhanger endings, either. Here’s hoping folks will forgive me at the (final) end.

As I jog through the manuscript, searching for mentions of the dhao bo, the newly re-christened frog people native to Northern Arcadia, I keep stopping. Suddenly, I can see where (and how!) everything from brief passages to entire scenes can be buffed and detailed.

Perspective is a marvelous thing.

My initial plan was to hold off on any sweeping changes or rewrites until a professional editor had a chance to weigh in, but now?

I can’t help myself.