THIS WILL BE THE LAST BLOG FROM ME UNTIL the end of April.  I leave tomorrow for an eight-appearance book tour in California.  (And I'm taking a vacation from the computer screen and blogging) This trip is  mainly in support of my most recently published book, LONG DISTANCE GRANDPARENTING.

HOWEVER,, the talks to writer groups will be mainly on ". . .While You Are Waitingt To Publish Your Great American Novel"  The answer is, write and market short pieces–essays, travel, how-to; convert a chapter in your novel into a short story, etc.

A CASE IN POINT…last week I had a phone call from an anthology editor in Los Angeles saying he wants to include the essay I sent.  Fortunately he gave me the title. I had totally forgotten that I sent it.   But in  looking hrough my files I discovered that I had submitted "Love, Honor, And Read The List" . THREE YEARS AGO. Since I had not heard from them, I assumed that the 500-word piece had been rejected.  The title of the anthology is: I DIDN'T GET OLD BEING STUPID.  Editor Dave Egan said they will send me $100 on publication, and a copy of the anthology.  Cute title.  I could add several more essays under that title. 

I hope to return with many fresh ideas to share in this space.  Happy writing to all..