Alakazam!

There is no such thing as an overnight success.

This strikes us as a shock because we never hear of anything else. You know the bit. The "lucky" author gets a major motion picture deal, tops the New York Times' bestseller list, and signs for a lifetime book series deal...usually no later than 24 hours after you learn of their existence.

Perhaps I exaggerate.  But I'm discovering that these "instant mix" winners aren't so instant after all.

The road to publishing, let alone major sales, is long and often paved with molasses candy. The delays between finishing a novel and *crosses fingers* signing any kind of contract, is often arduous and excruciating. Or so I've heard...er, read.

In finishing my third draft of Elfblood and my query letter, I realize I still have a ways to go. It's exciting and magical and scary.

But magic, it seems, doesn't just happen. It has to be made.

So, this brings us to my goals for 2011, followed by their deadlines:

1. Polish manuscript. (January 15th)
2. Polish query letter. (January 15th)
3. Select my top ten best-fitting literary agents, reviewing guidelines of submission like a paranoid copyeditor. (January 20th)
4. Query said agents.  (January 25th)
Then...

5. Wait.

Gulp. Yeegads. I was totally fine up until that one. 1-4 were completely under my all-powerful thumb. But 5? Not so much.

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls...a mysterious marvel, a mystic method brought back from the far corners of the world. Alex Newman will now make her query letter...disappear.

Watch closely. Aaaand...

Alakazam!