Mona Mehas

I've signed a contract with a boutique publishing company!

I had queried agents for at least a year before I started querying small companies. I sent my request to Between the Lines last November. I signed my contract this month!

I asked four of the authors I found on their website what it was like to work with them and got positive comments. I had a lawyer friend go over the contract with me line by line.

They require their authors to first obtain copyrights, so I've sent off to the government for that. When that is finalized, I believe the edits will begin.

The company is based in Minnesota and I'm in Indiana so everything will happen through email.

The book they have is Under the Bubble. It is a stand-alone science fantasy novel set in the far future. However, I have a second book set in almost the same world. I say almost because it takes place 2000 years after the first novel ends. I also have a series of poems as supplemental material. I'm getting all of those copyrighted. If I'm lucky, they will all be published over time.

Another piece of good news is my 6th poetry book will be coming out soon. All of my books have been published with small companies.

Questions I Didn't Know I'd Asked and Hand-Me-Downs are through LJMcD Communications and are available on Amazon. You must type in my name and filter for books. Or contact the publisher directly on Facebook, Lachlan McDougal.

Calling to Shore is with Cicada Song Press, available on Amazon. Also, with Cicada Song is Lost at 27, which I edited and have poetry in.

Self-Centered and My Colorful Heart are from Bottlecap Press and you can get them on the publisher's website.

The forthcoming book is with Pop Tab Press.

Several people I know have self-published their books and that's fine for them, but I've never wanted to take that route. If I self-publish, I know one person likes my work – me. By getting a publisher I can safely assume someone else likes it.

I have 2 more poetry books waiting in the wings. One I'm actively searching for a home and the other I'm holding off til the time is right.

Follow my progress on the books and everything else I write.

https://linktr.ee/monaiv

 

I've been sick for 6 months.

Well, more or less.

I can't seem to shake the sore throat that began in December.

I was in the hospital for half of February.

I had bronchitis and was diagnosed with COPD in April.

Now, in June, I have a cold and I'm losing my voice. Again.

I've never been sick so often in my life. What is going on with me? I know I'm overweight and I'm trying to do something about that, but this is horrible. I just want to be well for more than a month!

I'm talking with a dietician now. I'm keeping a food diary and hope to get control over what I eat. My goal is to lose 2 lbs. a week.

I feel like the noodle wrapped around the fork in this photo is all I should be allowed.

I won't divulge my ultimate goal. Suffice it to say the weight won't be gone overnight.

Wish me luck in both losing weight and getting unsick.