"In many ways I agree with Karma that literary fiction focuses more on the characters than the plot and that's been my historical definition of literary fiction: Character-driven stories.  But the modern reader has to be compelled to turn…"

"I've often wondered that. Was it a great query letter, or did they know someone on the inside? Sometimes I also wonder how people got published when the writing isn't as good as mine is, but maybe that's just some jealousy coming out.…"

"Well, sort of.  My thriller evolved out of my love for reading the genre and then me saying "I could write that!" (Easy words, more difficult follow-thru!).  I began my writing career after retiring from a profession I loved,…"

"Jane is so right.  The more polished a novel MS is before pitching the better.  I recently had my first novel professionally edited and that led to some rewrites that made for a much better read."

"Richard: I've posted a 1-page synopsis of my first novel on the BP Wiz Book Publishing Wizard site so that you can see how I constructed a synopsis, per your request on the WAE Network.  My account name is listed as James J. Murray.…"

"Hi, Richard:  Did you get any takers for your request for help with a 1-page synopsis?  I have a synopsis that several agents expressed interest in and based on it 1 agent requested 100 pages of my thriller and another the full MS.…"

"Michael, welcome to the group.  Sounds like you've made some great strides in getting your writing launched.  Great questions about self-publishing and it's place in today's publishing industry.  Wish I had the answers…"

"I'm new to WAE, but I'm already intrigued. I've joined two groups, this one and the self-published group. So, I'm still trying to figure out the courtesies and the dynamics of both. But this seems like a supportive lot.…"