Friday rolls around again and it feels like we lived three lifetimes this week, doesn’t it? At least to me it does. I’ve spent lots of time on screen, working. But also a fair amount of time off-screen, in the company of real people. These in person interactions have allowed me to take care of myself, which in turn helps me send more love out into the world. This feels mission critical right now.

Also, in other (big) news, this week marks a significant milestone for me. My book proposal is ready and first round of emails to literary agents are going out today! Yayyyyy!

What does this mean? I’m glad you asked!

My book is non-fiction, memoir. This article I published a few years ago is one of the pillars of the book. The rest happens in Italy. Oh-la-la. Now, if I was writing a detective novel, I would write the whole thing and send the manuscript out. But non-fiction is sold on proposal. The proposal includes the book overview, an author bio, includes other titles the book is similar too, etc. It also includes chapter summaries for the entire book AND three sample chapters. Whew! So a proposal is no joke. And it’s all proceeded by the query letter. Think of it as the cover letter to the resume. It needs to be spot-on and capable of compelling the agent to want to read the proposal.

The goal of the proposal is two-fold. First, since I haven’t written a book (yet), I need a literary agent to represent me. Once I find an agent, we will collaborate and use the proposal to send to publishers, to sell my book. Meaning the publisher wants to take my story and put it on a shelf in the store. SWOON.

Here’s the thing: Literary agents receive dozens of query letters and proposals per day. Per daaaaaaay. So enticing an agent to even read the proposal is a big deal. Listen, this could take months. And I’m prepared. Or, it could hit smack dab sooner than I think with the perfect agent that loves this story and knows publishers that will too.

This book is my baby. I’ve been writing it in my head for years, and began seriously putting words on paper this past summer. The book is solid and I’m extremely proud of the proposal.

This whole process is new to me. But I have a solid story, and the will to tell the hell out of it. Plus, I’m surrounded by good people. Let’s see what happens. I’ll keep you all in the loop.

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While I’m over here book proposing, what are you up to? As always, I’ve gathered the latest musing from around the web for your weekend reading. 

Anyone familiar with the cool girl book club, Belletrist? Founded in part by Emma Roberts, I love that they’ve made my love of reading so.damn.cool.

I’m reading this page turner, this weekend. And as an excuse to devour a book, I’m going to write a “what happens next” ending and enter it into the Belletrist contest. 

This book is coming in the same Amazon order, hopefully today. Written by a chief engineer at Google, he talks about applying his superior skills of logic and problem solving to the issue of happiness. He proposes an algorithm based on an understanding of how the brain takes in and processes joy and sadness. Then he solves for happy. I’m in. Let’s see what he has to say.

This weekend I’m going to open studio hours in my local Apple store. You have something you’re working on and need help? They have 90 minute structured time with people on hand to assist! Whaaaaat? I have a video introduction I need some help with. And they’re going to help me. They also have classes on how to organize your pictures on your iPhone (I have 12,000, I could use that class), and all kinds of other offerings. Check it out here.

Ok! I have to run to my first meeting this morning.

Ciao for Now!