If you have read this letter already and just want to vote on the title of Wanda “Hair Raising” novel, click here. If you wonder who Wanda is, keep reading.
Merry Christmas from the world of the Wyatts. I have a favor to ask. Most of you know that I write Christian fiction novels and am trying to find a publisher for them. I have been working hard on improving my writing for the last several years. It is a painful process. Some of you know that pain better than others as I have forced you to read my scribblings along the way. The good news is it is starting to pay off a little. Well no, not for you that must read my stories. You still get little more than my gratitude and the chance to be the first to read my fiction. But, look at the bright side. It’s not as bad as bamboo under the fingernails. Okay, okay. I said it wasn’t as bad, I didn’t say there weren’t similarities.
Anyway, I have had a little success both locally and nationally. One of my stories was one of seven world-wide semi-finalists in the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis contest.
But, the process toward getting published is like that fingernail bamboo thing as well. I had no idea there were so many writers in the world. I started writing back when it was still weird to be a wordsmith. Now that I have the time to get serious, everyone that I meet is working on a book. The plumber is writing, “The Leak,” a political thriller about a White House handyman that is caught up in a world of corruption and deceit when he discovers plans to a diabolical plot flushed down the toilet. He wants to make it the first book in his “Deep Dark Sewer” series. The mechanic down at my garage has a tale of forbidden love about an ordinary grease monkey falling for a female Indy car driver and her sponsor disapproves. He is sure “Love in the Pits” will be a best seller as long as he writes under the penname of Monique Goodwrench. And Wanda, the hair stylist Rebekah met in line at the grocery store is working on a remake of Rapunzel, an emotional rise and fall story full of symbolism about a top super model who gets cancer, loses her hair and is locked in the fashion designer’s penthouse because he’s trying to protect the company’s image. With no hope of escape, she practices natural healing and secretly learns low altitude parachuting. Wanda’s only problem is she cannot decide on a title. She has a long list of possibles including: “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow, Having a Wonderful Time; Wish You Were Hair, The Buck Stops Hair,” or “Split Ends.” You can see the whole list of titles and vote on the one you like best by clicking on the link at the end of this letter.
I blame Stephen King and Nickolas Sparks. They make writing look like easy fame and money. The truth is, you have to be famous to be famous. The casual aspiring novelist doesn’t know that most writers work very hard for average or less pay. Only a few make it big. Now, with so many people sending in manuscripts, it is hard to find anyone in the business who can take the time to read your work. I know that anyone can publish a book today, but without a traditional publisher behind you, your chances at getting it read by anyone but family and friends, are even less. But I feel like this is what God has called me to do, to help tell about the amazing story He has written. I plan to keep on the traditional publishing path until I feel I have given it my best try. Then I might move to self-publishing. I will keep you posted.
Here is where the favor comes in. Below you will find a link to a free, short Christmas story as a sample of my writing. If you like it, I hope you will help me out. I am trying to get noticed in a very noisy market. It is not enough just to have a remarkable story, you must also come to the table with a potential audience. As a member of my email list, you are part of my potential audience. I hope you’ll check out my author website at kentwyatt.org. If you know of anyone that might be interested in fast paced thrillers or romantic suspense stories, often with an edge of reality twist, please let them read the story. Then direct them to my website and have them sign up for my email updates. I never give my email lists to anyone else and you can unsubscribe at any time. Occasionally, I send out free gifts to my subscribers like the included story. I also give my readers a chance to help drive the direction of my writing by giving me input on specific parts of my story. Everyone that signs up can be a part of the success of my fiction. I also answer police related questions on my web page and give advice to other authors about how to write about police and crime topics. If you know of anyone that might benefit from such advice or an author who wants to write accurately about law enforcement practices and tactics, fighting sequences or the criminal world, have them get on, sign up and shoot me a question.
Merry Christmas and May God bless you as you serve Him in the coming year.
The Wyatts
Thanks for stopping in. Rebekah and I are excited to welcome you to the WORLD OF WYATTWOVE. It is a place of EXCITEMENT, SUSPENSE, ROMANCE, INSPIRATION, WHIMSY, AND A TOUCH OF THE MIRACULOUS. We are working hard to craft stories and art that not only capture your imagination in a way that makes you excited to turn the page but also gives you a deep perspective on the hard issues of life. We would love to keep you informed about our books and other important events in the WyattWove World. Sign up below to receive our email updates. We keep them to a minimum so we won't fill your inbox. Fill the blanks, check the box, scroll down, and click subscribe. Easy