Sort of Rejected Again, With a Silver Lining

Well, this rejection wasn't all bad.  I'll be honest, there have been a couple I haven't posted.  This one isn't exactly a crash and burn.:

Dear Mr. Creason,

I actually read your entire novel One Last Shot, and that in itself should tell you something.  It's a very good book for a first time novelist, however, our agency deals in traditional mystery, and this one falls more into the suspense/thriller genre.  It would not a good match for us, and the publishers we work with.  I've sent you the name of an agency, and the name of an agent that I think would be a good match for your novel.  I e-mailed that agent, and told her she'd be hearing from you.  I'd do that as soon as possible.  Send her a query and fifty pages.  Be sure you mention that you have ideas about a follow-up novel, and perhaps go into more detail than you did in your query to me about that second book.  They are very interested in new series writers, and your ideas for that series are very unique.  Good luck. 

Sincerely,

Busting into the mainstream fiction market is a little tougher than I thought.  I've gotten a few terse responses, when I didn't do my homework on the agency.  I've gotten some responses that say my book doesn't fall easily into any mainstream category.  And finally, I got this one.  All the rest fade away when I get one like this.  I've never believed that when agents ask for the entire book after a query, they actually read it.  I think they read a few pages past that thirty or fifty pages they asked for originally just to see if the book tanks.  I think this is going to be a tough sell, because my book starts out as one thing, and then quickly turns into something else.  It isn't easily classified and characterized. 

And my ideas for a series are different too.  A minor character in the first book becomes the protagonist in the next, and the major characters become minor.  I haven't even mentioned the fact one story I'm considering takes place in the same setting two generations and eighty years earlier. 

We'll see where it goes.  If nobody wants it, I know one small publisher of a series of books about famous American Freemasons that will publish it. 

The First Rejection!

And here we go!  That didn't take long.  In the search for representation for my novel, there are bound to be a few rejections along the way.  Of course now that most agents take email submissions, there's not nearly the waiting time there was back in the snail mail days (hey, it's been a while since I've done this).  This one was nicely worded . . . I remember one I got back in the late 80s where the editor wrote in red pen on the front of my manuscript "don't quit your day job."

Thank you so much for querying us with your project. Unfortunately, we did not feel it was the right fit for our agency. Thanks for thinking of The *blank* Agency and we wish you nothing but the best in your writing career.

Sincerely,

Let me translate that for you.  "Thanks, but no thanks.  No need to contact us again."  And now we move on to the next victim on my list . . .

TEC

Book Review: Famous American Freemasons: Volume II

July/August 2010 Issue

Creason, Todd E., Famous American Freemasons--Vol II, Lulu.com, 2009, softbound, 294 pages, ISBN 978-0-557-07088-6.  Cover price, $17.95, available on the Internet, new and used, from $11.99.

Brother Todd Creason, 32nd Degree, has done it again.  Volume I was a great deal of fun (cleverly disguising a great deal of information).  If anything, the second volume is even better. His narrative style remains the same: devoting short chapters to each person, but starting each chapter with drama, or comedy, or whatever is appropriate to the subject matter.  Just as a teaser, let me quote the opening of chapter 11. 

"A Vewwy Twicky Wascal!"

It was a horrific car accident.  He had broken nearly every bone in his body and lost nine pints of blood before he reached the hospital.  One of the firemen on the scene said, "We should have just have put him in a sack."  He was given a one-in-a-thousand chance of surviving . . . He was in a coma for three weeks, swathed in a full body cast with his head covered in a thick layer of bandages. . . .  The doctors feared that he might've suffered brain damage.  They tried everything to revive him to no avail.

On the 21st day of his coma, his neurosurgeon was in the room, checking his chart.  The television set was on.  A famous cartoon rabbit was being chased by a famous cartoon hunter.  Inspiration suddenly struck the doctor.  He leaned over the man and called through the bandages, "How are you feeling today, Bugs Bunny?"

Faintly, from within the mass of bandages, came the muffled reply.  In distinctive Brooklynese, he said, "Eh, Just fine, Doc.  How're you?"

The man, of course was Brother Mel Blanc.  As I've suggested before, these chapters make great Masonic education pieces; short enough to read aloud in Lodge and sure to keep the attention.  Highly recommended.

James T. Tressner II, 33rd Degree, Grand Cross
Book Review Editor
Scottish Rite Journal

Masonic Travels Interview

Ken Dennis put up a nice interview on his website over the weekend.  I think my favorite question he asked was:
With the recent popularity of Dan Brown’s latest book the Lost Symbol, many of our non-Mason readers might be interested in knowing if you have ever drank blood from a skull in your travels? If you did, would you tell me?


You know, I keep waiting to get summoned into that secret meeting where I’ll be told the location of the Templar treasure, learn that Elvis is still alive, and be given the key to Area 51. But it hasn’t happened yet. In reality, however, the secrets really aren’t that secret—I read recently the secrets were published about two seconds after the Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717. But people always want to believe there is more. Dan Brown tapped into that idea so many believe—that there is way more hidden behind the veil of “secret societies.” Brown has made a great living exposing the “secrets” of mysterious groups like Opus Dei, the Illuminati, and most recently, Freemasonry. But remember, Dan Brown writes fiction.

If you want to read the whole interview, it's at Masonic Traveler--Todd Creason Interview.

Masonic Travels First to Review Famous American Freemasons Volume II

OCTOBER 2009
Not too long ago I did a review of Brother Todd Creason’s first publication, Famous American Freemasons Volume 1, a book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Todd has now released the second volume in that series with more excellently presented stories of the lives of some of the most interesting American Brethren in history.
Not only does Todd provide us with thirty inspiring new stories of our Brethren, but his presentation, formatting and layout of the entire book has been updated and looks absolutely fabulous, making for an enjoyable book that you don’t want to put down.

A special introduction by Brother James L Tungate describes to the reader about the continuity of life and how the Masonic fraternity is a continuance and ongoing legacy left by each of us.

It’s interesting how so many great men became a part of the same organization and leads you to wonder if they were drawn to Masonry because of their like natures or habits, or was it Freemasonry that helped to further develop and nurture them in to the great men they became?

This book, although Masonic, is not about Freemasonry. It is about famous men and the tales of their lives, men who also happened to be Freemasons. Todd strikes a lovely balance in his books, having interesting factual histories of individuals with only a slight Masonic twist at the end of each chapter.

I found this book difficult to put down and read it over a very short period of time, enjoying it immensely and recommend it to everyone, but especially to those with an interest in American History or Culture.

Both of Todd E. Creason’s books are available on Amazon.com

Be sure and visit Masonic Travels--it's an excellent site for those of you interested in topics related to Freemasonry. TEC

National Review: Scottish Rite Journal Nov/Dec 2008

Bro. Todd E. Creason, Famous American Freemasons, Morrisville, N.C.: Lulu.com, 2007, paperbound, 280 pages, ISBN 978-1-4357-0345-2. Available on the Internet, new and used, from about $17.00

I’ll admit when I first saw the title of this book, I thought “Oh joy abounding, yet another list.” Wrong, very wrong. Brother Creason has put together a joy of a book. Its great charm is in its narrative style. He doesn’t list famous American Freemasons, he tells you about them, in a way which even keeps you guessing for a while as to the subject of each sketch. His research has unearthed information not in the usual biographies, or at least not presented in such a compelling way. Each sketch runs about five to seven pages, and you will find good humor and honest respect for his subjects. The entries are grouped under the classifications of American Patriots, American Presidents, Military Men, American Entertainers, and American Legends. Under American Legends, as an example, you will find The Explorers, The Equalizer, The Empresario, The Old Scout, and The Aviator. It’s a lot of fun to read these biographical sketches, but they are addictive—you always want to read just one more. Incidentally, this would make a great educational series for Lodge meetings. Each one is short enough to be read in a meeting and gripping enough that the Brethren would be sure to enjoy it. Give a copy to yourself for Christmas, and buy a second one for the Lodge, and a third to give to your local public library.

~James T. Tresner II, 33°, Grand Cross, Book Review Editor