COLD DARK ROOM

Maro2Bear

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My understanding is this is a place to talk about anything. So here goes. Me rambling on, my friends.

I have written a series of picture books using photos of my sulcata tortoise and other animals that visit his enclosure. The books share facts about tortoises, especially sulcatas but also other animals and address social issues such as making friends, caring for and choosing a pet, valuing diversity, etc. I have been sending query letters to agents for 5 months with no luck. I don't know if it is worth pursuing more agents. I don't know if it is worth spending the money to self-publish. I don't know if people would even buy the books. I am at that point, trash it or keep trying. And, in what direction do I keep trying? Do I start over with agents sending them the more social subject books and not the initial factual book introducing the tortoise? Do blow a raspberry at the agent idea and move on to self-publishing?

I've always loved to write. But maybe my son is going to be the published writer, not me. My tortoise books are fun writing. I would love to write a novel but the only one lurking in my head is about my families unusual number of family tragedy. Does anyone really want to read about one families experience with rape, murder, accidental death of a child, suicide, and inheritance backstabbing? It's depressing when it is all on paper, and could I even write it well?

I think I am trying to find my new place in this world. I no longer work full time and only have 3 more years before I have an empty nest. I need an agent, a publisher, advice, or a drink, or all of the above. "Sigh"

Interesting....have you reached out to Jamie @jsheffield up in New Hampshire. He is also a writer and just recently published a new series of short stories. I’ll bet he has some real-world advice. Good luck....

Ps - his most recent - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/109733466X/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
 

Professor Brenda

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Cathie G

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My understanding is this is a place to talk about anything. So here goes. Me rambling on, my friends.

I have written a series of picture books using photos of my sulcata tortoise and other animals that visit his enclosure. The books share facts about tortoises, especially sulcatas but also other animals and address social issues such as making friends, caring for and choosing a pet, valuing diversity, etc. I have been sending query letters to agents for 5 months with no luck. I don't know if it is worth pursuing more agents. I don't know if it is worth spending the money to self-publish. I don't know if people would even buy the books. I am at that point, trash it or keep trying. And, in what direction do I keep trying? Do I start over with agents sending them the more social subject books and not the initial factual book introducing the tortoise? Do blow a raspberry at the agent idea and move on to self-publishing?

I've always loved to write. But maybe my son is going to be the published writer, not me. My tortoise books are fun writing. I would love to write a novel but the only one lurking in my head is about my families unusual number of family tragedy. Does anyone really want to read about one families experience with rape, murder, accidental death of a child, suicide, and inheritance backstabbing? It's depressing when it is all on paper, and could I even write it well?

I think I am trying to find my new place in this world. I no longer work full time and only have 3 more years before I have an empty nest. I need an agent, a publisher, advice, or a drink, or all of the above. "Sigh"
Your picture books sound really interesting for young and old. And really uplifting.. It wouldn't cost a ton to self publish and make printable books for sale by order. If it takes off it's good but if it takes a while it's still good.
 

Lyn W

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The tickly cough is keeping me up again which is why on here so late/early.
I'm going to try sleeping upright in a chair for a couple of hours.
if I didn't have to go to go to work in a few hours I'd have a brandy!!
Nos Da !
 

CarolM

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Well, I spent the day sitting in my recliner with the heating pad on the small of my back. I was bending over a pile of branches, using the loppers to cut them up into smaller pieces when my back started telling me to straighten up. It didn't feel like the normal tired back, but rather, felt like a spasm. So I went in the house, took a Bayer Back and Body tablet and sat there the rest of the day. Whilst there, I consumed a half a bag of less sodium Lays chips, quite a few dried banana chips, more Lays, more bananas, a bottle of half tea, half lemon aid, and worked several jig saw puzzles, read a book, and played with kittens. What a waste of a perfectly fine (weather-wise) day!
Sounds like the perfect kind of me day. You have to have those every now and then.
 

CarolM

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Well All caught up again.
It is Monday and still the rest of the week to go. So let me go and try and find some fun so that it can go by before I know it.

Spent Saturday in the garden and Sunday out for the count in bed sick. Go figure. I would have taken today as a sick day, but I had too many things to do for work. Sigh, there is no rest for the wicked.

So what have the rest of you up to?
 

Maro2Bear

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Well All caught up again.
It is Monday and still the rest of the week to go. So let me go and try and find some fun so that it can go by before I know it.

Spent Saturday in the garden and Sunday out for the count in bed sick. Go figure. I would have taken today as a sick day, but I had too many things to do for work. Sigh, there is no rest for the wicked.

So what have the rest of you up to?


Lots of time spent tidying up our gardens and back yard and deck. Perennials trimmed, banana tree trimmed & ready to bring in the garage today, leaves mostly raked & blown about. We had a team of guys replacing some facia work on the eaves of our house on Saturday. Cheap “wood” coupled with shoddy installation when houses built equals rotten areas. Had spots replaced & painted. Need to do more shredding too. Emptied rain barrel & hauled in the shed, hauled in water hoses too.

Last really nice day today - sunshine and mid 60’s. Tomorrow starting off with cold rain turning to light snow.
 

Ray--Opo

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Well, I spent the day sitting in my recliner with the heating pad on the small of my back. I was bending over a pile of branches, using the loppers to cut them up into smaller pieces when my back started telling me to straighten up. It didn't feel like the normal tired back, but rather, felt like a spasm. So I went in the house, took a Bayer Back and Body tablet and sat there the rest of the day. Whilst there, I consumed a half a bag of less sodium Lays chips, quite a few dried banana chips, more Lays, more bananas, a bottle of half tea, half lemon aid, and worked several jig saw puzzles, read a book, and played with kittens. What a waste of a perfectly fine (weather-wise) day!
Other than the sore back it sounded like a great day eating and drinking Arnold Palmer's.
 

Professor Brenda

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Pflugerville, Texas
Your picture books sound really interesting for young and old. And really uplifting.. It wouldn't cost a ton to self publish and make printable books for sale by order. If it takes off it's good but if it takes a while it's still good.
Thank you. It will cost less than $1000 to publish 20 copies one book. So I will probably start that in January. Thanks for your encouragement.
 

Maro2Bear

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Thank you. It will cost less than $1000 to publish 20 copies one book. So I will probably start that in January. Thanks for your encouragement.

Thats for real hard copy books? $50.00 per book. Is ePublishing cheaper? Easier/faster? Get it out by Xmas?


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Yvonne G

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Happy Sunday everyone hope you're all having a restful day.
I was up half the night with a tickly cough so I'm not doing much today. Lola is also having another duvet day.
It's Remembrance Sunday in the UK and Commonwealth, so watched the televised service from London - always very moving.
View attachment 282801
Please excuse my ignorance, but what are you remembering on this day?
 

Yvonne G

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So sorry and I hope you can get some help with your work load in the meantime...I think muscle spasms are the worst...because the best thing for it is rest and relaxation...
All my tortoises had to suffer a starvation day, and they were left locked inside their sheds for the day. Last night I forced myself to lay flat on my back, even though it was very painful and caused bad aching in my right hip and thigh, and I woke up this a.m. still on my back. I think that helped because, even though it's still noticeable this a.m., the pain isn't as bad, and I'm actually dressed! I'm going to tend to the animals, then go back to bed, flat on my back, and finish reading "The Edge" by D i c k Francis. It's hard to concentrate, though, because the kittens are just so darned cute (and entertaining).
 
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