Thanks -

Wow, well, thank you for the positive comments and mail.

The stories here have been shopped around, but the problem is not to do with persistance. They are basic pulp fiction, which means they go to a very specific genre market, and that market has a very specific requirement when it comes to formula.

Romance novels have guidelines, but they also have a sound and a rhythm peculiar to them. Their characters are set, their pace is set, their dialogue rings the same - and these stories do not match the form. I proved to myself the adage - "Write what you enjoy reading" - and I do not enjoy reading Romance.

The same then applies to historical fiction. People who enjoy historical fiction really enjoy the fine detail of the period in question. Sites, smells, textures. In order to try to meet the criteria for Romance, I only sketched in the history. ( And took some perverse pleasure in distorting things to match the expectations of the Great Unwashed.)

Here's the thing.

There are seven of these little novels all up and they are not marketable. They represent a total of two years work and I could bin them, or give them away. Even if they don't meet publisher's criteria, there might be some folk who just enjoy the read. And they are worth what you pay for them here.

Stories also date, and already these have been at the bottom of the drawer for three or four years. Tastes in reading change and writing styles change to fit the market. At present the trend seems to be toward 'Dick and Dora, Nip and Fluff' simplicity - and readers are looking for strong, direct prose. Again, these stories are overwritten; but then I like Steinman, Wagner, Donaldson and Van Gogh.

I hope I answered all the queries, there.

Once again, thank you all for choosing to read the stories and for giving feedback. If you enjoyed them, please pass them along to friends.

Back to proofing and converting the files.

Best wishes to all
Letitia.