I pledged 2017 as the Year of the Book. my year to sell a book manuscript. Now that the first quarter of the year has closed, here is my progress report:
Poetry: I entered my chapbook manuscript, Chicken Fat, into a Finishing Line Press contest. While it didn’t win or place, the publishers offered me publication. I’ve signed the contract, but I haven’t yet heard back about publication date or anything.
Creative Nonfiction: By taking an online class from Creative Nonfiction magazine, I’ve drafted one more chapter of my genealogical memoir, We Are Rock Candy: The Crystallization of a Jewish Family. I’ve signed up for another course and now have the opportunity to draft three more chapters (unless I decide to write something else).
I have another narrative nonfiction project with my agent and she’s been shopping that around. It went to an editorial committee last week and the committee would like to see the whole manuscript. That’s what I’ll be working on for the next few months.
Picture Books: I am working one-on-one with an outside editor on three picture book manuscripts. She’s reviewed the first one and I need to revise. I should hear back on the second one soon. I have one editor/publisher who is asking me for picture book manuscripts and I aim to work with her. Another editor from another house is also asking me for manuscripts, but I don’t think I have the right voice for that house.
Novel in Verse: I have a novel-in-verse manuscript awaiting revision. I am currently signed up to attend a Highlights workshop to continue that work.
Fiction: I have a YA novella that awaits revision. And today I heard from a publisher who, while rejecting my picture book manuscript, now wants me to write a historical fiction chapter book on the same subject. This is totally on speculation, but I’m willing to give it a shot in the name of Year of the Book.
Other projects: There’s at least one YA historical novel and a middle-grade biography that need revision. I have a new idea for a fun chapter book. My challenge has been finding the time to write and revise. My day-job status is likely in flux and until that resolves, I don’t know what my schedule will be.
I’ve given up on an academic book based on last year’s master’s thesis—for the moment.
Question 4U: How is your Year of the Book coming along? Please share!
The Whole Megillah 
My first novel, Dream Dancer, was released in paperback in January and is selling slowly but very steadily on Amazon, Last week, I saw my first royalties in euro. That was fine surprise. Lingua Galactica, the next book, is in final edits as I await cover art; I’m hoping for an early summer release. Lots of work, but I am forging ahead. My blog, The Wifely Person Speaks, marches on in this contentious political season, and for reasons mysterious, my readership has exploded. Life is exciting these days.