This past week I received rejections from two separate agents and I felt hopeful. I know, you're probably wondering how in the world could a pair of rejections cause a feeling of hope. Well_ both rejections were personal. Rather than sending the standard rejection form that makes every submitter wonder if their story has even been read, each agent sent me a personalized rejection letter with words of encouragement.
The first agent stated that she felt there were many things to enjoy in my manuscript but she just didn't feel the connection needed to take on a new client. The second agent called my submission charming but not the right project for her. And while this might seem disheartening to most people, I rejoiced in the thought that I must be getting close.
So I keep writing, keep polishing, and keep submitting. And in the meantime, I read and review books. Lots and lots of books. This time around I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of author Laura Gehl's upcoming book Juniper Kai: Super Spy which is available for pre-order right now.
Juniper Kai knows she was born to be a spy, and she has opportunity to put her skills to the test when her parents seem to be keeping a secret. But her sleuthing doesn't work until she sees her father hiding something in the shed. What she finds in its depths suddenly causes everything strange her parents have been doing to make sense. I don't want to give away too much, but I will say Juniper's life is about to change, and the super spy is super happy about the situation!
This isn't the first book by Laura I've enjoyed. Last May I read and reviewed My Pillow Keeps Moving, her delightful story about a dog and a cat that creatively find a new home and get out of the cold. So if you want to learn more about Laura and all of her books, be sure to check out her website.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
For many years my best friend, who my family basically adopted like a daughter, canned fruit and home made jams which she gifted to us each Christmas. Peaches, pears, apple butter, and peach jam were eagerly anticipated each December and enjoyed throughout each new year. But about six years ago, she passed away. The loss was difficult because we did practically everything together from taking vacations to attending auctions, but when the last jar of homemade goodness was consumed, the loss was once again keenly felt.
Not a stranger to grief, having lost my first husband early in life, I knew that it's not your circumstance in life but your attitude toward your circumstance that counts. At least that's what my mom always says. So, since I inherited my friends steam canner, I set about to learn something new__ how to can. I started with peaches and pears and have gotten pretty adept at those. Lat year I tried my hand at making crock pot apple butter which my husband requested again this year. And finally, just this past week, I attempted peach jam. I think it might be a bit on the too thin side; I will see when it has cooled, and I open a jar. If it is, I will try again until I get it just right.
All of this seemed to coincidentally tie in to the book I read this week. A Piece of Home, by Jeri Watts, is all about finding something familiar in a new situation. A young boy and his family make a move from Korea to the United States where they go from ordinary and everyday to un-ordinary and different. They don't know the language, no one understands them, and a feeling of despair begins to set in. That is until they start to gently adapt to their surrounds. That is__ until they find something familiar in their new home that reminds them of their old home.
I don't want to give too much away, but this is an excellent story of hope. It is also a wonderful reminder for us to be kind to those who are different or in a new situation because it must be harder then we can imagine to be in such a situation.
Well,that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
