Publishing Blues Part One, 4/5/2026...

Like all writers, I'm sure, I want to be published. And I am: I have three short stories published, one in an urban fantasy monthly magazine, Dirty Magick, and two in my friend Brian McKinley’s anthology, Drawing Blood Volume One. (You can see it, and perhaps purchase it, in the Books Section on my website). And I only started seriously putting effort into my writing less than two years ago. A good start, right? But more to the point, I want my book traditionally published. I figure I’d go the self-publishing route if all efforts to do so bear no fruit. 

I am writing a series called The Ecto-Files. I am one and a half books into it. I think that the idea behind these books is pretty nifty (not to pat myself on my back too hard): In the Ectoverse, all who have died since time immemorial seek to possess the living. Humanity survives. The main character in this series is a special kind of wizard, unique only to the Ectoverse. The novels, so far, are structured as hardboiled detective/police procedural stories. After drafting, workshopping, and beta reading Arrested Souls: The Ecto-Files Book One, I went to BaltiCon—a yearly sci-fi fantasy writers convention every year in Baltimore—made some contacts, and sent my draft out to twelve agents. 

That wasn’t nearly enough agents to query, I was told. Some writers sent out over fifty query letters. I guess I have more work to do, but at this point, I am inherently lazy and none-too-motivated for this area of the business, anyway. I already have a well-paying, tenured, full-time job as an English Teacher, so there’s no financial pressure for me to get my books published right away. I can take my time and stroke my ego in a measured crescendo—like getting more short stories published, getting my name and my Ectoverse out there—before I get it done. Small steps and the like. 

I am attending BaltiCon at the end of this month, and I plan to network in a slightly different fashion this year. Last January, at a general meeting of one of my writers' groups, guest speaker Jim Butcher gave advice on what to do and what not to do while attending conventions. He found his agent at a con when he wasn’t actually trying to sell himself or his book; he went to lunch with a bunch of people—which included his future agent—and discussed Babylon 5. After sharing his thoughts about the series in this group, this agent told him that she would take him on as a client; this was after she had already rejected him. Jim will be the guest of honor at this year’s BaltiCon, so I’ll get to (hopefully) talk with him there. 

Another avenue, which involves self-publishing—which is what I’ve decided to do if all else fails—is to have three books ready to go, and stagger their publishing dates. This way, when a customer sees the advertisement for my book—let’s say on Amazon.com—they will also see that two other books will be coming soon. And, hopefully, if readers enjoy the first book, they’ll pre-order books two and three. 

So, here is my song about publishing, to a groovy, steady, blues beat, expressing my woes, fears, and hopes.