Gathering Speed

Today during my insanely hectic *cough* day at the 'real' job, I "found" some time to do a little research.

For the past few days I've been giving Inner Voice (IV) a nudge (playing with some line edits, marking things I want to change, having brainstorming session on characters and how to improve them). With just playing on the peripherals, in only about half the chapters, I've already added nearly a thousand words. Only one chapter actually decreased in size (and that wasn't by a huge amount).

I have quite a few notes at home I'm yet to incorporate. Like the post title suggests - I'm gathering speed.

Even while writing this post I've come to a decision about a minor character who is now going to change sex, learn new skills, become a love interest conflict, and open up possible threads into the paranormal. Along with the ramping up of another minor character, I guess I'm totally into gathering together the Scooby gang, or building the team - as it's referred to in "How to write" posts on many other websites. This will all work out nicely when I write the new final two chapters (I did mention in earlier posts how I wasn't happy with the ending, didn't I?).

But I digress from the mental toils started today, which is not unusual when I get started on IV.

My research was all about creating an agent list. I'm a long way from finished but I have so far gathered two dozen links (or so) I need to collate and further expand on to arrive at my final agents submission list.

I expect that by the time I've finished editing and polishing the manuscript, I'll have a fully prepared stable of agents to query, and hopefully a nailed down log-line-come-elevator pitch, query, and synopsis (stop laughing).

I have a few items each agent/agency must meet for me to consider submitting to them:

• They must accept YA submissions but also handle darker and edgier stuff.
• They must accept email queries
• They must have a track record of exposing new talent
• They must state their willingness to work editorially with clients
• They must have a decent stable of already signed writers
• They must not have any reading fees or associations with editorial businesses
• If not in the US or UK, they must have international connections with a proven track record

Once I've done my initial electronic research, I'll be researching YA writers who write in same/similar genres as my offering as I'll be targeting the agencies who represent them as well.

As I move into this new phase of the writing journey, I'll post my findings, recommendations and experiences. I'll not be posting any negative comments as I'm keen not to burn any bridges at this embryonic stage of my attempting to leave the nest (hows that for mixing metaphors?).

On the Dark Pages Volume I front, things have slowed to a crawl. We have over half the ToC stowed away and ready to go to publishing. The last few stories are taking a little longer to square away, but I'm sure it will all come together in the not-too-distant-future.

So how's your day been?