After months of outlining, organizing, researching and… oh yeah… writing, I have a draft of a new novel that I’m finally happy and ready to share. I’ve been through two rounds of beta reading and editing, now embarking on my third and final round while I prepare the list of literary agents and query letter for next steps.
I am excited about this stage and would love to share a few chapters with several of you to get more feedback, as well as take any advice and thoughts on next steps. As a writer, I feel really passionate about what I’ve created, but as a reader, I want to know others feel the same way.
It’s quite a journey, and as I look back over the last few months, I find myself thinking… the first goal was always to finish it. And I’ve completed that goal. Now, my new one is to find an agent and to build up a readership who wants more. It’s amazing how you can transfer your thirst for a goal from one activity to another, ultimately all culminating in the same final outcomes.
I can’t wait to move this forward. How about you?
About the Novel
The novel is approximately 350 pages (95k words) and I would classify it as contemporary fiction / women’s fiction given this is a story about how Olivia Glass deals with her husband Ben’s car accident and untimely death – a drama about family relationships. In his will, Ben leaves behind a letter for his wife Olivia where he confesses a massive fmily secret. Upon reading this letter and waiting for the family attorney to locate a woman who holds all the answers, Olivia visits each of her sons to spend time with them before she has to tell them what Ben did. The novel also tells the story from each of her five son’s perspectives and the secrets Olivia learns about each of them during their visit. As Olivia begins to realize how far removed she’s been from what she thought was a perfect family, the lawyer locates the missing woman who can answer the questions. After a powerful journey, Olivia prepares to tell the family what she’s learned but circumstances get in the way changing the choices she has to make.
Want to Beta-Read?
I’m looking for passionate readers who love stories about families, relationships and journeys, who don’t mind laughing and crying in the same book and who will provide real and honest feedback. I’d like to know where it falls apart, where it really grabs you and what you think the most important changes should be in the story. You won’t need to check for spelling, grammar, consistency or punctuation. The story may not work, the descriptions may seem off, etc. but that’s where you come in — a true reader’s feedback on the story, readability and overall appeal. Please message me on here to further discuss.
About Me
You can learn more about me on my profile here or my personal webpage where you will see my own book reviews, samples of stories I’ve written and the first two chapters of “Watching a Glass Shatter.” Hopefully this will give you a taste of what I am capable of and you will be interested in providing a few hours to read my book in the hopes of enjoying your read and providing me with some good direction for where to focus next. I have been surrounded by strong and emotional women all of my life and feel that I can write a novel in this genre given the relationships I’ve developed over the years. I majored in English and have been writing in my day job (non-fiction) for nearly 20 years. I’ve also written a few other books, short stories and poems, but have been too busy working a day job to try to get anything published. I am now focusing on entering the publishing world with a goal to launch 1 or 2 novels in 2017. Click for BIO.
-jjc