Since I'll very shortly be away from the computer for a few days maybe a couple lines about writing progress -- a neglected topic here lately -- are in order.

Yesterday I mailed the first 50 pages of the Victorian occult thriller we completed lasted fall to another agent who'd expressed interest. Mary has made a list of agents she knows about or have been recommended and we'll continue to slog through it. Sticking those printed pages into the manila envelope and having it weighed and stamped, made me queasy. I haven't dealt in paper since we sold One For Sorrow. All our subsequent submissions and correspondance have been electronic, until now. In my experience, words on paper are rejected. After having half a dozen books published, albeit by a small press, it's a strange feeling to be futilely flogging what you consider your best work.

In happier news we've started writing Seven For A Secret which, of course, will eventually be our new best work yet. Mary has composed pieces of half a dozen chapter while I've got the first two in decent shape. I like to see the first five chapters or so done. The book begins to come alive then and starts demanding to be expanded on and finished. Because of my deteriorating work situation, this is likely to be a more lengthy process than usual but I expect we'll manage.