Newsletter #62 — Who Was Shakespeare?
July 15, 2023
Newsletter #62 — Who Was Shakespeare?
Shakespearean Heresies — Any evidence, statement, or thought that the man from Stratford might not have written the plays which bear his name is labeled a heresy by staunch Stratfordians. But Stratfordians do not frighten Elizabeth Winkler, who waded in among them in order to write this book. I found this an enjoyable, mind-opening read. I especially liked the information about signatures and portraits. (Two separate topics there: signatures, and portraits.)
Mule Destiny — Phil and I recently took a 30-day driving vacation from Chicago through the Southwest and along the California coast. When we googled places to eat in Oklahoma City, what came up but a restaurant named The Mule. We went. We ate. The food was delicious.
Then, when we reached San Francisco, friends took us to F.M. Smith Park in Oakland, to see statues honoring the mules who for decades hauled wagons of borax out of Death Valley.
Finally, when we reached Laramie, we ate at a bar whose logo was that of a bronc-busting cowboy riding not a horse, but a mule.
Either the mule was following me, or I was following it. I tell you, all the signs say that I was meant to write the mule book!!
Forward, Ho! — I began sending out query letters on the mule book the week of the ALA Conference. I sent two that week and two the week after. Considering the difficulty of searching for the right editor, writing the right pitch letter, and then finding that editor's email address (deeply hidden: editors do not want unsolicited query letters or, worse yet, unsolicited manuscripts), I think two a week is a good pace. I plan to finish by October — and by then I do hope some of the editors have requested the manuscript.
Exit Velocity — In January of this year I entered Exit Velocity in two contests for publication. I have received a reject from one of those contests.
I'm waiting to hear from three publishers. But while I wait, I'm investigating self-publishing with BookBaby, in case that's the way I have to go. Mentally, I've set a publication date of May 1, 2024 . . . which means I want to make a decision by early September, so that I'll have enough time to edit, format, design, proofread, request back-of-book reviews, and send out ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) for book reviews.
Two First Novels — Earlier this year I had the great pleasure of reading, back to back, two first novels that I found totally enjoyable. You can read about this here.