A Big Blogger Announcement and Thank You

I love driving the gradual arc of the Coronado bridge, climbing it until I reach the apex where my floating neighborhood welcomes me home. You see, I just returned from the San Diego State Writers Conference, where I marinated in James Scott Bell's excellent classes, among others. I learned a lot about story and voice and craft. A productive weekend...

Thanks to loyal readers like you, I managed to nab one of these:

Beachy Blogger Gets a Literary Agent!
(Awesomely amateur photo credit: Carrie Keyes)

Can I get a whoop whoop? Yes, that's right. I found a literary agent who believes in me. Her name is Sandra Bishop of MacGregor Literary, an agency that consistently ranks in the top five deal-makers on Publishers Marketplace. I'm thrilled. It's tough to nab an agent. Now I'm ready to deliver.

I'm going to be changing, slowly, over the next few months. Digging deep to determine what kind of book I want to submit for editorial review. I've got two and a half manuscripts that are both commercial and suspenseful, and I'm brimming with future ideas. Now, with Sandra's assistance, we'll decide how best to proceed with my literary journey.

If it weren't for you, my friends, this would not be possible. I'm crafting a valentine for you. You'll get a little hubba hubba next week. In the meantime, thank you for believing in me. If? When? I get a book on the shelf, I'd be honored if you'd open it and peek at the acknowledgement. In it, I'll be sure to thank the many people who've penciled in paradise.

*The YouTube song of the week is for you! It's Dido's "Thank You."

*Do you have questions about writing a novel and/or seeking a literary agent? I'm no expert, but I'm happy to answer your questions.

*I highly recommend the San Diego State Writers Conference!

(Carrie Keyes is the author of Pencil in Paradise. You can find paradise at home, at www.sandiego.com, at www.eCoronado.com, on Facebook (search Pencil in Paradise) and Twitter (@CarrieKeyes).