Came from the depths of obscurity and mental illness to that place called author.

Jenn from Sapphire Designs created my blog on blogger in 2011. I had input; she was patient and the end result pleased us both.

I was on-line and met an Imajin Books author, Alison Bruce, who referred me to Cheryl Tardif at Imajin Books. I contacted Cheryl with the rough draft of Jive Hive, which we subsequently trimmed to half its size, changed the name to SpaceHive, and aimed it at a young adult audience rather than more mature.

Over the space of several months Cheryl mentored me until my debut novel was polished and ready for acceptance. She sent me not one but two contracts: one for eBook and one for trade paperback.

SpaceHive was published in eBook in August 2012 and released in print September 2012.

SpaceHive has not sold well despite my best attempts at marketing and Cheryl's best suggestions.

I'm told I'll need more books under my girth before SpaceHive may start to sell well, as I'll need a recognizable name.

True, at a book signing this spring a reader commented he'd never heard of me!

I recently contacted Jay at Kindle Promoters and paid for an annual subscription for several tweets a day for a year and his valuable suggestions. Jay has also accepted a short story which will be put in front of thousands of his readers, along with his other authors, to serve as a promotion for my books.

I say books, because I've self-published The Insanity Machine and DISCOVERY: A collection of poetry. As well, BIGFOOT BOY: Lost on Earth, a YA/MG fantasy, has been accepted by Mockingbird Lane Press, a small press in the USA.

I'm hoping to sell a book of short stories in memory of my son Steve, who loved robots, sci-fi, and quirky writers.

Also, my new adult mystery novel, RED HERRINGS, is ready for its final edit before I attempt to look for a publisher.

Benjamin and Rumblechum, an early reader's chapter book, was co-authored by Emma Brinson and is looking for a home. It was accepted by Diamond Heart Press in California last year but they are no longer in business, so am looking for a new publisher.

Finally, a book of fantasy/horror is looking for a home, as well, Den of Dark Angels.

Maybe you can tell me, gentle readers, where I go from here.

What does the future hold for an author?

What does the future hold for SpaceHive and my other manuscripts? 

How and when should I market?

Like any proud parent, I have plans for my novel "babies." 

Plans to spend some money promoting, as I'm able, and plans to edit and polish until my mystery is almost perfect, or as perfect as I and my editors can make it.

I plan to submit the manuscript of Red Herrings to the author-in-residence at the Canadian Authors Association this fall, for their critique. It's been edited by my own copy editor and beta readers.

This might be the novel I've been waiting for, a genre that's popular and sells well, and a book--dare I say? of amusing and interesting characters, including a schizophrenic female private eye.

A book set in medieval Russia? 

Napoleon invading Russia while the population burns its towns behind them?

India or China as a love story and a search for meaning? (I've just watched Eat, Pray, Love).

I am not a Phoenix. I will rise from my ruins and build on the ruins; I will not rise anew from my ashes.