Journey to getting published

I'm still alive...

2008-04-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Long time, but here is where I am...

Since a very encouraging reading by a New York agent, back in late 2007, I have been working on the rewrite of Flight to Paradise. My target for running the newly rewritten manuscript by my editor is mid-May; then on to my agent shortly thereafter.

My second novel, The Golden Gate is finally in rough draft. I put it aside to let it breath while I focus on FTP. The time away from it will do it good.

Again, I am learning that this journey is not for those who are looking for a quick trip to stardom, nor for those hoping to pay next month's bills. I am learning to enjoy the words, sentences, paragraphs, scenes--one at the time. The person that said "it's in the journey, not the destination, where we derive our greatest satisfaction" (or something like that), must have been a writer.

2007-06-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Still no word from St. Martin's Press. I assume, at this point, no news is good news.

As I wait, I move forward with novel #2 "The Golden Gate". With 25% of the first draft written, I estimate I'll be complete (with the first draft) sometime in late August. Statistics show that the average novel is rewritten at least five times. For me, the rewrites are the fun part. That's when the twist become twistier and the layers add a depth to the story that was not possible with the first draft.

For an update on "The Golden Gate": It's developing into a story of mixed genres: suspense, historical and mystery; and even has a touch of the metaphysical. It is a blast to write, and I even hired a writing coach to help me.

It's taken months to digest the many historical events that form the foundation of the villain's (Samael) motives. Although this story is fiction, it is set in real places and based on real events in history. I've heard it refered to as "fictional reality". I personally enjoy reading this type of novel, as you learn while being entertained.

When the hero, Derk Sage, discovers the demands of the villain, he realizes the truth of why his best friend and pilot (Bill Mercer) died in a tragic commercial airline disaster; a disaster that is about to repeat itself if Sage can't find a way to stop it.

The story is laced with universal themes that, hopefully, will resonate long after the last page has been read.

The call...

2007-05-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

Today my cell phone rang at about 1:30 p.m. I will never forget that moment. I had just finished lunch and was talking with my 26 year-old son who was visiting from Texas. As I reached for my phone, I jokingly said, "Must be St. Martins calling."

I flipped open my phone and, as always, glanced at the screen before pressing Talk. I didn't recognize the number, but my phone did... NEW YORK.

Oh my God... It's them... My mind raced. They only call if it's good news...

I cleared my throat, pressed Talk, and then placed the phone to my ear. "Hello..." I said, trying to sound upbeat and interesting. "This is Mike Coe." I never give my name. What was I thinking?

The man's voice on the other end sounded professional; almost like you would expect an editor or someone in management at a major New York publishing house to sound.

But... It was the wrong number.

What are the chances?

COE Books

2007-05-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

Check out author's website at www.coebooks.com

The journey...

2007-05-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

When I read, "Everyone has at least one novel buried deep within their subconsious", I started digging. Two years later, it's done!

Last week, St. Martin's Press agreed to read my, FLIGHT TO PARADISE. Well, I'm sure a six-figure offer is on the way with the usual movie deal to follow after a multi-city promotional tour with all the trimmings.

Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong! With 1 out of 1000 unpublished writers reaching the level of "author", my dream has yet to be but just that: a dream.

This blog is my journey to the coveted title of "author". The journey started in June 2005 and WILL continue until...