The hard work of The Eight continues. Considering everyone is an unpaid volunteer, I’m impressed by their diligence and efforts. While the proposed November 23, 2005 deadline struck me as a nice concept, given holiday preparations, illnesses, and traffic, I never expected most readers to hit that date. One did, and several others came in a few days later. Five to seven weeks is a far more realistic turnaround time.

Next time around, I’ll pick a date seven weeks from the initial distribution, and one not during a holiday season. This will be with the understanding that some might need an extension. Eight weeks for The Eight – a catchphrase I can love.

This Friday, I’ll meet with members four and five for feedback review. The following week, I have a tentative session – pending work schedules – scheduled with number six.

Number Seven is a major wild card. Honestly, not sure when they will finish, but likely right before Christmas.

Due to a meltdown at his employer – mass layoffs led to the overtime or unemployment line conversation – number eight has been excused without prejudice. A man’s gotta eat, after all.

And that’s where The Eight stand.

In the meantime, the query letter is ready, as is a three page synopsis. Revisions will take two to three weeks, so this project won’t reach agents until mid January. Even though the initial contact only includes 10-25 pages of the novel – I compiled a list of agents who encourage sample chapters along with the query – I’m not shopping the project until the manuscript is done. When they request the whole book, I can fire it off the following business day, without wondering if I missed something.