I’ve been hearing a lot about this lately. I’ll have to check it out …I’ve been hearing a lot about this lately. I’ll have to check it out …

Now that I?ve been navigating the waters in my quest to land an agent, I?m starting to pick up on some nuance.

One of the keys to finding the right agent is to try and narrow the field a bit. I?m all for the throw-as much-as-you-can-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach, but I?m realizing that I need to throw at the right wall.

When I first started out, I saw Finders Keepers as more of an offbeat, humorous adventure, and approached agents who listed in one place or another that sucNow that I?ve been navigating the waters in my quest to land an agent, I?m starting to pick up on some nuance.

One of the keys to finding the right agent is to try and narrow the field a bit. I?m all for the throw-as much-as-you-can-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach, but I?m realizing that I need to throw at the right wall.

When I first started out, I saw Finders Keepers as more of an offbeat, humorous adventure, and approached agents who listed in one place or another that such types of books are what interested them, at least to some degree. Thing is, I?m starting to realize more and more that a lot of these agents who say they want offbeat and humorous mean that they want offbeat and humorous just so long as it?s [i]mainstream[/i] offbeat and humorous, which means don?t be [i]too[/i] offbeat and humorous, just enough that I can sell it to a mass audience I think wants something predictable.

So, yeah … there?s been a little of a learning curve for me. But that?s okay, that’s how we learn. Having reality contradict what we?re told.

I?ve since starting targeting agents who specifically look for science fiction and fantasy novels. Now, Finders Keepers falls into light sci-fi, meaning, there are no robots and spaceships and intergalactic wars. It brushes across sci-fi just peripherally. Quantum leap comes to mind. Yes, it?s sci-fi … ish, but really it?s fantasy and fun and you like the show because you like the characters.

Same thing with Finders Keepers. It?s Quantum Leap science fiction, not Blade Runner.

Since this shift I?ve had one agent ask me to send her pages, which I?ve done, and a few others who at least perked up a bit at the concept. So I think I?m more along the right track.

Anyway, I?m sure I?ve got loads and loads more to learn about this process, but hey … every day I?m making more progress, getting me one step closer to where I want to be … signed by an agent who really gets what I write, and a juicy book deal to boot.

The journey continues …

Just recently finished The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie (yup, that’s House to you and me). The book came out around 1995. It’s a humorous spy-type novel. It’s not the greatest book, but it’s an okay read. It’s funny in parts, and his narrative is light and accessible. But what I thought as I was reading it is that it would make a better movie than a book, which is unusual. And lo and behold I hear Laurie has finished the screenplay and it’s being looked at.

If you’re looking for something thaJust recently finished The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie (yup, that’s House to you and me). The book came out around 1995. It’s a humorous spy-type novel. It’s not the greatest book, but it’s an okay read. It’s funny in parts, and his narrative is light and accessible. But what I thought as I was reading it is that it would make a better movie than a book, which is unusual. And lo and behold I hear Laurie has finished the screenplay and it’s being looked at.

If you’re looking for something that just pass the time The Gun Seller is okay. But if you’re looking for something meaty, this probably isn’t what you’re after.

He’s a cat. He’s curious. That’s his job …He’s a cat. He’s curious. That’s his job …

It?s been just two short days since my first email blast went out to announce the launch of the Finders Keepers Web site, and already 30 of you have registered for the site!

Awesome!

Early feedback has been killer, and I hope that a) you?ll keep coming back to the site, checking out the new content and participating on the message boards, and b) getting all your friends to sign up too!

As far as the message boards so far, the baseball, music and TV threads are getting off to a rouIt?s been just two short days since my first email blast went out to announce the launch of the Finders Keepers Web site, and already 30 of you have registered for the site!

Awesome!

Early feedback has been killer, and I hope that a) you?ll keep coming back to the site, checking out the new content and participating on the message boards, and b) getting all your friends to sign up too!

As far as the message boards so far, the baseball, music and TV threads are getting off to a rousing start, and I?m sure there will be loads more to come.

Just a quick note today, but I want to thank everybody for registering on the site, and look forward to many years ahead of FindersK fun.

Russ

Give me all your money! I have a gub!

What’s a gub?

That’s gun.

No. That’s a g.

No, look here, that’s an n.

Ahhhh …. good stuff.

And the gun made out of soap is great!Give me all your money! I have a gub!

What’s a gub?

That’s gun.

No. That’s a g.

No, look here, that’s an n.

Ahhhh …. good stuff.

And the gun made out of soap is great!

Now, I’m not saying they’re the greatest thing ever, but … if you liked Stone Temple Pilots and you liked Guns n’ Roses (when they actually made music), then you might want to check out just a few tracks from Contraband’s album. It’s Scott Wieland on vocals and Slash on guitar, and when it works, it works big.

Overall, the album was kind of a mess in my view, but three tracks really stand out:

* Loving the Alien

* You Got No Right

* Fall to Pieces

I wouldn’t even buy the albNow, I’m not saying they’re the greatest thing ever, but … if you liked Stone Temple Pilots and you liked Guns n’ Roses (when they actually made music), then you might want to check out just a few tracks from Contraband’s album. It’s Scott Wieland on vocals and Slash on guitar, and when it works, it works big.

Overall, the album was kind of a mess in my view, but three tracks really stand out:

* Loving the Alien

* You Got No Right

* Fall to Pieces

I wouldn’t even buy the album, but if you can grab these tracks off of iTunes (or wherever), I highly recommend them.

Despise the Yanks?!

Dems fightin’ words!

But of course you know, dis means war!Despise the Yanks?!

Dems fightin’ words!

But of course you know, dis means war!

Interesting blurb today from Buster Olney:

? Carl Pavano looked OK in his two innings against the Phillies, but there is the matter of his body language. When he walks to the mound and lingers between pitches, he looks like a teenager who’s been asked to take out the trash, the type of thing that can drive teammates crazy if the player involved is not performing …

Gee … I’m just flowing with enthusiasm for this guy … zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzInteresting blurb today from Buster Olney:

? Carl Pavano looked OK in his two innings against the Phillies, but there is the matter of his body language. When he walks to the mound and lingers between pitches, he looks like a teenager who’s been asked to take out the trash, the type of thing that can drive teammates crazy if the player involved is not performing …

Gee … I’m just flowing with enthusiasm for this guy … zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Interesting article today on Sports Illustrated/cnn.com from John Heyman (who, by the way, has gotten MUCH better over the years as a baseball reporter).

He noted today that eight teams inquired about A-Rod this offseason, and according to one high-ranking exec, said they "offered the Yanks a ton" for A-Rod. Man, I’d love to just know what that offer was. The exec said Cashman wouldn’t even discuss it, but that’s because A-Rod said there was absolutely no way he would waive his noInteresting article today on Sports Illustrated/cnn.com from John Heyman (who, by the way, has gotten MUCH better over the years as a baseball reporter).

He noted today that eight teams inquired about A-Rod this offseason, and according to one high-ranking exec, said they "offered the Yanks a ton" for A-Rod. Man, I’d love to just know what that offer was. The exec said Cashman wouldn’t even discuss it, but that’s because A-Rod said there was absolutely no way he would waive his no-trade clause, so Cashman didn’t bother pursuing any deals.

Come the offseason, however, I have a sneaky feeling A-Rod will be playing the market once again …