S.A.S.E.

I have learned that when you really want someone to reply to you one of the best ways to encourage this is to include a self-addressed stamped envelope in the correspondence. I have done this with my children and grandchildren and for the most part it is effective. I may not hear back right away, but eventually they discover the envelope buried beneath some papers or stuffed in a drawer and send it back with a short letter or drawing. In the case of my youngest daughter, they have yet to come back...but I will continue sending and hoping...and praying.

Once, I included a SASE in a card to my youngest brother (estranged from the family) and he simply used it to send the card right back to me...no note...just the card...funny. I guess it was his way of letting me know he is still alive, but nothing more. I have also included them in query letters to publishers and have a good collection of those returned.

When I arrived home this evening, there was an envelope (with familiar handwriting) on the table from Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency of New York. I had sent them a package with some information about my books and requesting an opportunity to discuss representation by them. I also included a SASE and it served its purpose. I could tell by the "thinness" of the envelope that it was probably not good news. Inside was a standard form post card stating, "Please accept my apology for this form response, but the volume of mail received in my office makes a personal reply impossible. I have reviewed your material and it is not anythng I wish to work with at this time. Thank you for the submission and I wish you the best of luck with other agents."

And so that is the way it goes. Sometimes there is good news and sometimes there isn't...but it is nice when the SASE is returned becasue some news is better than no news at all...and hey, the card does say they reviewed my material. That's something to hope for!

I also want to let you all know that you can go to www.amazon.com/abna to find out information on the contest that my book, "The Scrapbook" is entered in. Here is the latest news:

• Over 5,000 authors have registered for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
• Registered authors represent nearly 2,000 different cities worldwide and 22 countries (including South Africa, Denmark, Malaysia, Argentina, and more)
• There is at least one author from every one of the 50 states (and the District of Columbia, too) registered for the contest
• Of the novels submitted for consideration, 42% fall into the general fiction category; 25% are mystery, thriller, and suspense; 18% are science fiction and fantasy; 8% are historical fiction, and 7% are romance (The Scrapbook is this category)

If you are an Amazon.com customer you will be able to view excerpts from the semi-finalist manuscripts starting January 15. Hopefully you will give favorable reviews and cast your vote for "The Scrapbook". What an opportunity! I just keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming! Thanks for all your encouragement and support...it means so much. I feel so blessed to be a part of it. It would be a dream come true.

Thursday I am leaving for another dream come true. I will be going to New York City to visit my Aunt Dorothy. I have always wanted to see New York during the Christmas season. It is a short trip, but will be fun. Dorothy and her friend, Jack, have gotten us tickets to see the Christmas Celebration and Radio City Music Hall on Friday morning. That should encourage some holiday spirit! Lord willing, the weather will be good and all flights on time. I will be gathering material for my next novel, "New York Winter Love"...more to come on that in later posts!

Well, I need to go spend some time with my sweet husband...Hallmark has some great holiday shows on right now! I will write again when I get back from the "Big Apple"!