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I haven’t really talked about my own personal journey to publication that much. That is primarily because I wanted to actually have something interesting to talk about. After all, you don’t want to hear things like, “got email from editor” or “publisher told me book is scheduled to come out in 2012”. As I have said and come to learn, publishing is very slow and no one wants to hear stories about waiting patiently.

Well, now that I have received and finished the first round of major edits, I do have something to talk about. Specifically my own lessons learned. I’ll talk more about that in the tips and typos section of the show.

I’m also very excited to share today’s interview with you. I had the opportunity to talk to Brandy Rivers who is a Literary Manager with Magnet Management. Brandy talked to me about how writing properties are acquired and packaged for film and television.

That’s the lineup for today. I hope you enjoy the show.

Show Notes

Tags: boy superhero, brandy rivers, cold case, csi, Get Published, greg nolan, jeff apatow, jerry bruckheimer, magnet management, michael bay, Michell Plested, mik murdoch, mike plested, movie, superhero, television, twilight, without a trace

I haven’t had a lot of time for Twitter the past while, but last night I flipped over to see what everyone was talking about. To say I was stunned by the conversation would be a major understatement.

Anne McCaffrey had passed away at the age of 85 on November 21, 2011.

I was never fortunate enough to meet Anne in person but she still had a major impact on my life. I was a big reader when I was young. I still am, to be honest, but hers was some of the first writing I can truly say I fell in love with. Those formative, lonely years of junior high school were made brighter by her DragonRider and Crystal Singer books. Menolly and Killashandra were both characters I could identify with and celebrate victories with.

My mom, a teacher/librarian, had the opportunity to go to a teacher’s retreat where Anne was the guest of honor. I sent all my Anne McCaffrey books to be signed which she graciously did. They are among my most treasured possessions.

I can easily say that Ms. McCaffrey is one of the single biggest influences on me as a writer. I am a writer today because she inspired me to build my own worlds and tell stories that would resonate with people as hers did with me.

I had always hoped to one day meet her at her home in Ireland. As the years have passed I knew that was less and less likely. Still, I cherished the dream and knew I would always love her through her stories.

The one bright spot in this is that I did meet her son, Todd McCaffrey at World Fantasy Convention 2011. I told him how happy I was that he was continuing her legacy and what her books have meant to me. I invited him to appear on my podcast “Get Published” which he generously agreed to. I still hope to, but the email I sent last night was in commiseration, not invitation.

I just hope he knows that so many of us are grieving right along with him.

I’m afraid my poor words don’t do my feelings justice. Perhaps it is because I am numb from the news or maybe I just don’t have the words to truly express what it means to me.

All I can say is rest in peace wonderful lady. Thank you for all that you did for me, even without knowing. I will carry on the tradition you gave to me. That of the author sharing and hopefully changing people’s lives for the better.

Tags: anne mccaffrey