It's My 40th Birthday This Week

Here is my birthday wish...

This week, I turn 40. It’s the big one, and I have a big favor to ask.

Just today, I read yet another author’s story of being rejected by an agent. The agent loved her manuscript, thought it was a great fit, and turned her down cold.

Why?

Not enough subscribers on Substack. (She had 600. The industry expects at least 10,000.)

What does this have to do with me, and my birthday?

My first novel, Pursuit of Elizabeth Millhouse, is out of print, and I would very much like to remedy that.

My second novel, 27, has never been published.

Soon, I’m going to start sending letters off to literary agents. When I do, I’d like to make a good impression.

Thanks to you, over the past three years I have built up my subscriber base from zero to 670.

I would consider it great progress to reach 1,000 subscribers before the end of this month.

There would still be more work to do, but that would be an exciting milestone to reach.

Would you help me do that?

If each of you would specifically ask a friend to subscribe, I’m sure we could get there.

I’ll make it really easy—just copy and paste the message below into a personal email or a text message or as a post on your favorite social media platform, followed by a link to one of your favorite posts of mine. I’ve included a few options below.

I really enjoyed this piece by Amanda Barber, an author I follow on Substack:

[insert link to your favorite post]

Amanda is trying to get two of her novels published and I would like to read them sooner rather than later!

But before a publishing agent will give her a proper look, she needs more subscribers on Substack.

For her 40th birthday, I’m asking you to subscribe for free to help her reach her goal of 1,000 subscribers.

Would you do that for me, and for Amanda? Thanks in advance!

Thank you!!

That’s all for now. Until next time, folks…