I'm baaaack!

You thought I'd abandoned you. I was feeling that I didn't have enough to say. Then yesterday I attended a workshop on "publicizing yourself" for authors, and decided to jump back into the game. Here I am again, live on video (scroll to the end to see me actually speak).

Meanwhile,. I got my Harper Collins review - part encouraging, part moronic. Get ready for the stupid parts:

The setting of Boston... could alienate any non-US audience.

Hello, you idiot at Harper Collins UK - we have zillions more readers here than in your dinky little island nation. And I don't think a British setting hurt U.S. sales of those kids' fantasy books that were popular not too long ago. This one rates a big HUH?

But wait, there's more:

I think the story would work better with a male protagonist than a female heroine. Although it will appeal to some women, the comic style and narrative seems better suited for a male readership rather than a female audience who I think would be a difficult market for the novel.

Let me get this straight. Women don't enjoy humor, so change my funny, witty, smart heroine into a GUY???? DOUBLE HUH??

This reviewer needs a head transplant, though she did also say, The tone is light and witty and there are some truly great descriptions in the narrative which keeps the writing fresh and visual.

At her suggestion, and that of some other agents, I'm rewriting to expand the heroine's background, after which I'll send it to my beloved book doctor again before shopping it around to some agents for the LAST time.

And now, watch me live from my bedroom to yours!