Just like that, I attached Uncharted to an email and sent it flying through the ether to an editor. My editing is done. Tim’s editing is done. Beta readers comments have been incorporated and an editor friend has made suggestions which have also been included. I am so grateful to everyone who took the time to help me on this journey.

I might add that I have already begun work on “Part B,” of my plan to get published, with some success. While my manuscript is in the hands of my editor, I planned on working on getting a few things published to help get Uncharted published. To that end, I submitted a piece to the Florida Writers Association’s online magazine. To my surprise and delight, it was accepted. 

If you are interested, my piece can be found on page 21.

Of course, once my editor is finished there will be more work but the end of the beginning is near. The next step is to find an agent to represent me to publishing companies. That entails writing query letters, or filling out query forms and giving a brief summary of my book. How I’m going to do that continues to stew in my head.

My primary goal for 2023 is to find an agent and a publisher. My other goal is to research life for women in France in the late 1800s for my next book. That is stewing in my brain as well. Perhaps in 2023, I’ll even finish a painting or two!

Thank you to everyone who offered an opinion on my cover. I’ll have to work on that some more too.

As 2022 winds down, with just a few more hours left, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year. In these crazy times, who knows what will be coming at us next, but with love and good humor, we’ll weather it together.

Love, peace, and joy to all in the coming year.