Rainy Day, Thoughtful day

Clouded up and rained today, which always sombers anyone's mood. Given I spent six hours straight in a software planning meeting, I guess I was already headed for such a mood. Seems I've 7 days to pull off an impressive coding feat. I'll get it done, it just won't be pleasant. Afterwards I've plenty of vacation time to look forward to using. I was thinking of taking a friday off here or there but now... a whole week is sounding pretty good indeed!

Still no word about the short story. However, its only been a month; I'd be surprised if I made it to the middle of the slush pile. Still have my fingers crossed though. Speaking of writing, I've been reading again on marketing manuscripts... they really ought to just say at the start of those books "Ok.. lets get this out of the way now.. don't give up your day job!" It'd save some innuendo further in. They mean well I know, but often I wonder "are you trying to honestly help or dissuade a potential rival writer from a tight marketplace?" Anyway, they speak down about self-publishing, and I can understand why. Its a very hard path, espeically if you've not the first clue as to what you are doing when it comes to marketing and how to get visibility for your work and so on. I've enjoyed my time with my current publisher - even though I now know Print On Demand is only a half step away from a true Vanity Press - but I may shop *carefully* around to some agents and bigger publishers. I say *carefully* as I've already begun to read and learn how badly a person can get stung by the wrong agent. If Lady Luck is on my side, then I'll be just fine. So.. here's to Lady Luck!