Yes, I'm very busy with my own writing work this week.  But today's blog entry was too important a cause not to come here and tell you about it.

Patry Francis is a talented author whose hardcover debut novel, The Liar's Diary, was released last year by Dutton.  And this past fall Patry was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer.  She's had two surgeries and the prognosis does look good.  But as you can imagine, her energy level is pretty low.

The Liar's Diary is being released today in trade paperback and Patry isn't able to get out there to market and promote her book.  So other authors and the blogging community has jumped in to assist her promotion.  Over 300 of us are all blogging today about Patry's book. 

I pre-ordered my copy yesterday and I'm anxious to read it.  Here's the link at Amazon so you can go there and get your copy.......

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452289157/ref=s9_asin_title_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=08VB82J1SY018PSTY139&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=320448601&pf_rd_i=507846

And here's the link to Patry's website so you can pay her a visit

Also you might want to drop by her very inspiring blog at Simply Wait.  I don't think you'll be sorry when you read her very thought-provoking entries, many while she was in the hospital for surgery.

I thought it was great that so many are participating in this endeavor to help Patry and here's wishing her a speedy recovery and excellent health, in addition to success with her release today.

See you here next time........

Hey everybody . . . I'm back from my writer's conference and first of all, I want to thank all of you that were so nice to leave a comment with your encouragement.  It truly means a lot to me and is deeply appreciated.

Us writers can be a strange group in various ways.  We all tend to have quirks and superstitions, etc.  One of mine has been not to jinx myself by shouting any little bit of good news from the rooftops.  However, before I tell you about meeting with the agents on Saturday, I do want to share some promising news with you.  You might recall I attended the huge RWA conference in Dallas back in July.  Well, I touched base with a top NYC publisher and sent off the first three chapters of SEEKING SYDNEY, my current manuscript.  Months went by without a word.  But......On December 11, I did receive an email from the Editorial Associate stating "your story looks intriguing so far" and "we really like your characters" and she went on to request the full manuscript.  This is the closest I've ever been.  So I promptly sent off the entire manuscript and gave them an update that SEEKING SYDNEY had received the Royal Palm Literary Award for First Place from Florida Writers at their conference in November.  So now......I wait!  I had waited five months after sending my chapters, so it can certainly take awhile.  But my manuscript is now under consideration by a publisher that I'd love to be on board with and we shall see.

On to the agents I met with this past Saturday......I thought it went very well.  Actually, I met with three agents.  (I'd forgotten and thought I only signed up with two)  All three seemed very enthused with the pitch I gave them for SEEKING SYDNEY.  Two in particular seemed to love the story.  One asked for the full manuscript, one asked for the first three chapters, and one asked for the first thirty pages and a synopsis. Again, I'd love to be represented by any three and again.......I'm in a waiting mode and we shall see.

So as great and wonderful as all of this may sound, my title refers to the saying I've always believed in, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings."  Lately, I've been hearing faint sounds of that singing in the distance, but not quite close enough.  Maybe this time her singing will come crashing to my ears.

Again, I want to thank all of you for your loyalty and support and sincere encouragement.  It sure means a lot to a struggling writer like me, and I feel that I have the best blog readers anywhere.  So please know I deeply appreciate you visiting here at Island Writer. 

I have a busy week ahead of me with my writing.  I need to put together the packets to send off to the agents, and I've decided to put aside my suspense that I'd been working on because I have another project in mind.  I've decided to turn SEEKING SYDNEY into a three book series and the ideas for the second book are churning in my head and I'm about ready to begin IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS.  I'll keep you posted on this.

So please forgive me for not visiting your blog right now, but my work is calling to me.  I will pop by to visit your blog just as soon as I can catch my breath.  Till then........

Enjoy your moments and I'll see you here next time at Island Writer..........