...though not to forums in general. 
Despite this, I find myself strangely nervous about this introduction. After all, unlike with fandom-based forums, I've signed up to this one for professional reasons!
I'm Mercedes, or Merc if you're feeling lazy. I've never been published, though that's one of the reasons I'm here!
Currently, my coauthor and I are finishing the final (until official hands touch it) edit on our first novel. We're drafting query letters, making lists of agents/publishers and letting our beta readers comb through it one last time. While all this is going on, I'm jotting down ideas for books two and three of our series, short stories which I might attempt to get published in magazines and many, MANY attempts at letter hooks.
My reading interests include fantasy of almost any type, some light sci-fi, mostly stuff set close to modern times or "science fantasy", and some historical fiction. I don't read nearly enough research material and indulge far too much in the sins of well-written fanfiction. If you don't think the latter exists, read "Embers" by Vathara. Fanfiction author or not, she's an inspiration of mine.
Other than that, I'm on the road a lot so I've developed a minor addiction to audio books. These tend to lean more towards YA fantasy than not. I recently finished everything Rick Riordan has out (both Heroes of Olympus and Kane Chronicles) and just started His Dark Materials.
I hope to learn more about the process of finding an agent/publisher, to get a little un-biased reviewing of our letters and, hopefully, of the short stories I have yet to write. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to get my coauthor to join, too!
Despite this, I find myself strangely nervous about this introduction. After all, unlike with fandom-based forums, I've signed up to this one for professional reasons!I'm Mercedes, or Merc if you're feeling lazy.
I've never been published, though that's one of the reasons I'm here!Currently, my coauthor and I are finishing the final (until official hands touch it) edit on our first novel. We're drafting query letters, making lists of agents/publishers and letting our beta readers comb through it one last time. While all this is going on, I'm jotting down ideas for books two and three of our series, short stories which I might attempt to get published in magazines and many, MANY attempts at letter hooks.
My reading interests include fantasy of almost any type, some light sci-fi, mostly stuff set close to modern times or "science fantasy", and some historical fiction. I don't read nearly enough research material and indulge far too much in the sins of well-written fanfiction. If you don't think the latter exists, read "Embers" by Vathara. Fanfiction author or not, she's an inspiration of mine.
Other than that, I'm on the road a lot so I've developed a minor addiction to audio books. These tend to lean more towards YA fantasy than not. I recently finished everything Rick Riordan has out (both Heroes of Olympus and Kane Chronicles) and just started His Dark Materials.
I hope to learn more about the process of finding an agent/publisher, to get a little un-biased reviewing of our letters and, hopefully, of the short stories I have yet to write. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to get my coauthor to join, too!
