After the sixth rejection in four days, a new idea for approaching agents about The Last Track hit me. Something indirect. Something different. Something a bit clever and hopefully amusing.

I’ll post more about this very soon.

Just received this note confirming my entry in the 2007 Nicholl’s Screenwriting Fellowship. This year set another record for submissions. Regardless, I’ll know where I stand in early August.

Welcome to the 2007 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition, a program of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

We have received your screenplay, * TITLE REDACTED *, application form and entry fee in proper order. If you contact us regarding your submission, please include your entry number — * NUMBER REDACTED *.

Thus far, we have received over 5,040 scripts for this year’s competition. We hope to complete first-round judging by the end of July. We will then tally the results as quickly as possible.

We expect about 5% of this year’s entrants to progress into the quarterfinal round of judging. If all goes smoothly, you will be< hearing from us near August 1 as to your status in the competition. If you encountered any difficulties with our new online applicationsystem, please accept our humble apologies. Thank you for entering the 2007 Nicholl Fellowships competition. Best of luck in it and with all your screenwriting endeavors. Sincerely, Greg Beal Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting

Off for a few days of relaxation; I return on July 3, 2007. In the meantime, here’s what’s going on:
1) Full on query assault for The Last Track. Without disclosing the exact number presently in circulation–it would reveal my secret life as a submission slut–let’s deem it goodly and drive through. Better yet, I have another long list of accomplished literary agents selected, if necessary.

2) All, more like nearly, all of the edits Oriana suggested were implemented. Right now the manuscript is…ah, in transit. My free delivery service left the package on his dresser in NJ. Too bad he lives in Brooklyn. Well, she might get them this weekend, or next. Something like that.

3) Got my motorcycle permit today, inching closer to Bonnie. Bonnie, by the way, is a nickname for the 2007 Triumph Bonneville Black motorcycle I will have. She’s 865cc of engineering perfection. Mmm.

4) Started character sketches for a new screenplay I’m cowriting. I’ve always wanted to collaborate on a writing project, so this will be a growth experience.

Until then, I’m having some fun and drinking some beer. Oh wait, I do that often. Well have fun that is. This weekend I drink beer, too!