April 23, 2012: I wrote last week of the visit from the National Park Service Reps.  What will come of this, I do not know.  I doubt I'll tune in the TV one day to the history channel and find an excerpt on me.

As I write this, I am detouring briefly from editing chapters of my novel, "When Coyote Smiles." Crimson Romance tells us they are "open to submissions in five popular sub-genres: romantic suspense, contemporary, paranormal, historical and erotic romance."  Mine fits (I hope) the qualifications for "romantic suspense."  In Indian legend when "coyote smiles" he "has something up his sleeve."  My story includes two men, possible candidates for heroine Anne's love–but both turn out to be the "smiling coyote" types. I queried the editor with a brief summary and have response that she is willing to look at a synopsis and the entire novel.   This all puts me in an excited and nervous state, as I try to edit to meet her expectations.

And on Saturday I attended a talk by a woman editor (Tucson Publishing House) who regaled us with "Eight Things You Need to Know to Write a Novel."  I bought a copy of her book with this title.  And I'll test my novel with her if I don't get a "go ahead" from the Crimson Romance editor.

Twenty-five copies of my humorous novel, Braving House Calls will arrive on my doorstep later this week.  More on this later.  Willma