It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing color, the days are getting short, and it’s almost time to embark on an adventure: National Novel Writing Month.
Last year, I wrote a romantic sci-fi thriller about a hacker and a small town boy on the run from some government contractors. After a few revisions, I thought it was done, queried it too soon, and got a lot of rejections. One editor was kind enough to give me some feedback, and after sending the book out to a few more beta, who agreed that the book needed work, I started a revision, got stuck, and put it in the to be revised later folder.
This year I am going to be more patient. I’m really excited about my project, and want to make sure it’s really ready before I send it out. Luckily, I have plenty of other projects to keep me busy.
I haven’t written or outlined enough to know exactly where the plot’s going, but I know who my characters are, I know the world, and know that it is totally queer. It’s space opera, and that means there will be whispers of Star Wars, Firefly and Guardians of the Galaxy, but I’m also certain my cast of gender-fluid characters, teenage drama, and retro flare will make it unique.
Yes, there are space ships, aliens, magic and a quest, but the characters are what will make this book shine.
For now, here is a working blurb and some images:
Dianny doesn’t want to take over Mom’s business dealing in sex and drugs, or wind up like one of the beings Mom employs. However, with ADHD, anxiety, sensitivity to Oomph, and a gender identity their peers don’t understand, Dianny isn’t doing so well at avoiding that path. Dianny isn’t sure if they are relieved or terrified when they find Mom’s club shut down and swarming with federal agents, but they don’t dare disobey the task given to them by one of Mom’s girls: find their father, who is in a prison half way across the galaxy, and give him the Oomph enhanced artifact that the authorities are after.
Sara Codair 
This sounds really good. I’m curious as to what the beings are! Good luck with NaNo!
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I hear you on the importance of patience, having followed a similar path with my first two novels, now both in the To Be Revised Later folder. I found your article on non-binary pronouns intriguing. By publishing a story in which the protag is non-binary, you’ll be doing your part toward moving this discussion to the forefront of readers’ awareness. I predict that twenty years from now, we’ll wonder why we made such a fuss and just use “they.” If an old English teacher like me can get used to a plural pronoun used that way, anyone can–we use it that way already in casual conversation.
Anyway–best of luck with your publishing journey.
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