Sunday, January 9, 2022

Slow Motion’s Better Than No Motion

Happy New Year! I think I’ve got until MLK Day to wish you that. I’m writing this because I plan to be pointing people to my website more in 2022. My short story, Green Tips and Orange Peels: A Prelude to When Boys Have Breasts won Honorable Mention in Onyx Magazine’s Winter Contest. My first published work of fiction. Cray. The written version should be up in a week or so and today I recorded an interview with the Onyx team. It was a lot of fun and my first interview as an author. I had them refer to me as Francis. Also, different. They will post the interview and the audio version of my story late February / early March. Stay tuned.

Also, have another short story that will be part of a physical journal marking another milestone in my writing career. Once I have the details, I’ll provide a link to buy it on my site. Probably will sell autographed copies. Also, cray.

I completed the dopest of my novel revisions in November of 2021 and it’s with a literary agent I’ve nicknamed Penny for good luck. I’m really excited about this version. I feel closer to my goal than I’ve ever felt. It’s going on four years now since I began my journey, but slow motion is better than no motion.

Aight, holla then.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Haven’t Landed Yet.

I realized hadn’t updated my website in over six months. In many ways, I feel like not much has changed but in other ways, so much has. I received an award for Best Manuscript Sample from a literary agent at the November 2020 Atlanta Writer’s Club Conference. She currently has my full manuscript under review and I am optimistic about receiving her feedback. Although COVID-19 pushed things back a little, I should be able to point you toward my first published work, a short story, in early summer. The end of this month marks 3 years since I first made the giant leap to begin this journey. At times, it’s difficult to accept I haven’t yet landed, but then I smile and remind myself that I haven’t landed yet.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Stay at Home.

I’ve recently come to an okay place with the COVID19 pandemic. Meaning, I spend less time sulking over what should’ve been or loathing the uncertainty of the future. This has given me more time to query agents, edit, and write. I will have a short fiction announcement coming soon. I have my manuscript in a few hands. But mostly, I am patient. I know what needs to be done. Many things are out of my control. I continue to stay at home, both literally and figuratively.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The [Half] Marathon [Still] Continues…

I have received some positive feedback from a potential editor but nothing new and definitive to report. I am still querying literary agents and have entered a short story contest or two. I appreciate all your inquiries and support! As you can see on the home page, I had a new book cover commissioned by The Artoholiks. For now, this is for my own enjoyment to bring the book to life while I wait out the process. If you want to continue to support, please read the new sample chapters I’ve posted here and comment. I plan to release Chapter Five later this year. The best way to stay posted is to follow my Instagram account, @FrancisMillerLit. As always, thanks for reading.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

The [Half] Marathon Continues…

I recently experienced back-to-back momentous weekends.

The weekend of April 26th, I traveled home to Memphis and completed my first half marathon. Before the run, I participated in a photo shoot directed and produced by my running partner, Mika, and shot by local photographer, Brandon, @b.willmadeit. I’ve used many of those shots in front of Memphis’ most iconic locations to refresh the website.

The weekend of May 3rd, I attended the Atlanta Writers Club Conference. I made a lot of wonderful connections. I participated in a Manuscript Critique with an editor from a major traditional publisher. I was awarded Best Manuscript Sample from her group.

It was a great honor. Both the run and award were rewarding. I feel refreshed so I figured the website could use a refresh, too. I’ve incorporated feedback received from the editor in the new Chapter One which has replaced the former prologue. Alright, back to work. Got some great leads for queries. The [Half] Marathon continues…

Sunday, February 3, 2019

What’s up with the book, mane?

I get that question a lot. Many, as did I, thought once I completed my first draft in October, a book on Amazon was just around the corner. I’ve learned quite a bit in just a few short months about the publishing industry. I will spare you the gruesome details, but I think my most important learning was around the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing, especially regarding timing. Again, I will spare the details, but what I learned most importantly about myself, is that my vision and goals better match a traditional publishing path. That means it will take longer to have a book on the shelf than if I went the self-publishing route, but there are many potential benefits to being patient.

It will also take more hard work and investment. So I talked it over with my family and everyone is on board with supporting this struggling artist for a little while longer. I have recommitted myself to the writer’s life and will be attending a couple of writers’ conferences this spring to improve my craft and connect with some key industry professionals. I have received positive feedback this year and am very optimistic about what 2019 has in store for When Boys Have Breasts.

I promise to keep you abreast of any key developments. I really appreciate the time you take to read my words and your own wonderful words of encouragement. It truly is my inspiration.

Kind regards,

Francis Miller

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Open Letter to Oprah Winfrey

Dear Oprah,

Holla at ya boy.

Kind regards,

Your Boy

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Same great novel. Now with fewer calories!

The novel remains 100%* gluten-free, but it was too long. That’s what she said.

After initially launching my website in early October, I received some unsolicited feedback that my 129K word count might be a little long for a first-time novelist. After cursing her for suggesting I wasn’t immediately perfect and managing the frustration that I wasn’t already a millionaire, I took the feedback to heart. Further research and additional feedback put me on a path to improve an already fie (fire that is too hot for an ‘r’) novel.

So I’ve redone the intro (Book Sneak Peek) and reduced the word count to 100K. I will restart the process of querying literary agents on the first of November after some additional editing is completed.

Luckily for you, I added a Deleted Scenes section that I will update periodically to give you something to chew on during the slow process of getting published. I mean seriously, why am I not a millionaire already?

*When Boys Have Breasts may contain some gluten.