The Higher Mission revised

I have revised my novel The Higher Mission and tried to address everything the acquistions editor from Champagne Books Group, Ms. Judy Gill, has asked me to do in her lengthy email.  I've probably not addressed everything but it took me nearly a month to do it using every spare moment I had.  I just sent it back to her today.  Also, I've heard from my Wild Rose editor and she will ask the Historical editor for a contract for me on my short story Help Sessions.  When Wild Rose reconvenes on July 9 after their summer break I'll hear from them about that.  I'll keep you posted on both of these projects.

Update on The Higher Mission

Ms. Gill from Burst Books came back to me in a week after I submitted the full manuscript of The Higher Mission and said the story has potential but before considering a contract I must revise it, changing passive to active voice, clean up my grammar and do some other things to it.  She said she wouldn't ask for a revision if she didn't think the story had potential.  So I'm feverishly revising the 300+ pages and am half way through on that.  If this flies then it will be my first accepted novel.  I hope that happens.  So far I've cut 4000 words out to tighten up the prose.  Again the image I've included is Saturn as seen from Iapetus which is appropriate for the opening chapter of this novel.
On another matter my short story Help Sessions is being considered by Wild Rose and I believe I'll get a contract for it soon.

The Higher Mission submission update

The submission of my first three chapters to Burst was on April 23 and I received a request for the full manuscript from Judy Gill of Burst on May 30.  I sent the full manuscript to her the next day and she acknowledged receipt of it the following day.  So now it is a waiting game again but I'm hopeful that this first hurdle has been cleared.  She said she read it "with interest" so I can hope.

The Higher MIssion submitted again

My recent rejection of my science fiction novel The Higher Mission is now in the hands of Burst Books which is an imprint of Champagne Books. In the same day they acknowledged receipt of my submission package and assured me I would hear from them in two weeks.  At that time I'll know if they want to see the entire manuscript or not.  They have the first three chapters, a synopsis, bio and a promo plan.  I've included the scene of Saturn as seen from Iapetus, far orbiting moon of Saturn.  This painting by Chesley Bonestell is appropriate for the opening chapter of the novel as Cramer and Mona fly to Saturn's rings to mine the rings of the radioactive boulders dubbed "hot rocks."

Rejection

My science fiction novel The Higher Mission has been rejected by Crescent Moon Press after a six month wait. I have another place to submit it. I must check their submission guidelines before sending it along. Although they don't take sweet romance they do take science fiction. My novel is a combination of science fiction and romance of the sweet variety. I'm still waiting on word from eWings Press on A Change of Heart. I have more hope on that submission. That one features the characters Leroy and Jody from my first accepted short story Lab Partners.

Marcy's Struggle rejected

My short story Marcy's Struggle was rejected by Wild Rose the vintage line. The editor said my characters didn't come alive like my other stories. I still believe in the story and feel the characters do come alive. Marcy is a smart chemistry graduate student and is trying to convince Ross the quarterback that she is over Leroy. Of course she does in the end.
Also, I've just sent an email to a lady looking for a critique partner to see if she still is. I've decided to work on my Rescue novel and get it ready for submitting again. I still have not heard from the two novels I have out under consideration. One is a SF novel and the other is my Leroy and Jody romance novel. Waiting is difficult. I had predicted that Marcy would be rejected and that one of my two novels had a chance of being accepted. So far I'm right and hope I can score on one of the novels.

Excerpt pasing experiment

My chat date approaches with Coffee Time Romance. It is this Friday, February 17th at 5 PM to 9 PM EST. I have a lot I need to do to prepare for this and will no doubt fall flat on my face in trying to make effective use of this important scheduled chat. Okay I'm going to try pasting my Motorcycle Woman excerpt in this post.

His
motion slow and deliberate, he removed the blue felt, revealing a beautiful
jewelry box. She gasped. Johnnie’s workmanship, always topnotch, soared to a
new level on this project. It would command a high price compared to his other
efforts. Earlier, he showed her the router bits he used to put borders around
the box base and lid. He utilized his fanciest bit to place ornate curves,
channels, and edges along the base and lid of this box. The inlay of flowers,
which he had called marquetry, spread across the lid, different colors, red,
green, light brown giving it a realistic floral look. The wood, highly polished,
reflected Tess’ face from the soft sunlight illuminating the lid and sides. She
had not seen this kind of wood on the other boxes. Johnnie mentioned using
mostly walnut, some cedar, and some cherry. She slid her hand over its smooth
surface. It stood about four inches tall, six inches wide, and ten inches
across the front.
“This is the most beautiful jewelry box I’ve
seen you make. What kind of wood is this?” She looked at Johnnie a few seconds
then back at the box, continuing to feel its smooth surface.
“A
rare wood called teak. Open the lid, Tess.” He touched the front of the lid
with his forefinger, and then withdrew it as she moved her hand toward the box
lid.
Opening
the lid part way, she heard Beethoven’s Fur Elise begin to play. Raising
the top full open, she centered on the fancy cursive writing on the inside of
the lid. Tears came to her eyes as she read, “To Tess, All My Love, Johnnie.”
“Oh, Johnnie.” Her voice caught.
“Before you get onto me about getting
personal, I don’t remember you including the written word in that restriction.”
His
face told her he did not expect that excuse to hold up.
She closed the lid, the music stopped, and she
turned away from him, holding her mouth, trying to keep from shaking with sobs.
“Don’t you like it?” he asked, his voice
betraying his uncertainty.
She could not answer, only nodding, remaining
turned away until she managed to say, “Of course, I do.”
She could not hide her tears, her voice giving
her away. As she turned to face him, he took her hand. She did not resist as he
raised it to his lips and kissed it. Her breath caught, the sensation of the
kiss almost tearing down her defenses. She fought the urge to throw her arms
around him.
“I
never intended for this to happen,” she whispered.
“If
you mean me falling for you, the only way you could have prevented it was pass
me by in Minnesota,” he said, releasing her hand.
She continued to look into his brown eyes, the
eyes that had pierced deep into her soul from the start. He breathed deep and
asked with a dreadful fear in his voice.
“You’re leaving soon, aren’t you?” She
swallowed hard, nodding.
“I know I can’t talk you out of it. I just
want to say knowing you for these five weeks will be a time I’ll always
cherish.” His eyes filled with tears.
Tess turned away again, gritting her teeth.
Her eyes dwelled on her photo, the head and shoulders shot. The framed picture
sat on a shelf above a workbench where Johnnie did much of his work.

Well, the cover image didn't actually paste. I had to browse to get it.