Aug. 27, 2025 - Serendipity Strikes!

You know the Universe is sending you a message when... A few days ago I was desperately searching for a way to make my work more visible by attracting more followers and visitors to my blog. My son, Peter, works in the high tech industry and is incredibly knowledgeable. I had the idea to add Instagram to my social media presence, so I asked him how I'd go about doing that. After considerable research he came back and made recommendations that included switching from android based tech to iPhone because of the availability of supporting software and the ease of use. It will mean buying an iPhone and tablet, but coincidentally, mine is at a stage where it should be upgraded and replaced anyway. (Coincidence #1) Naturally, the Universe was tuned in and decided to lend a hand. Telus called wanting to offer me all kinds of deals... of course! (Coincidence #2)

Then, while checking my email, I noticed that the Highlights Foundation, of which I'm a premium member, was offering a free webinar about.... Instagram! (Coincidence #3) I was thrilled to see this offer on a "how to..." live presentation with a Q&A afterward. I noticed that it was for this afternoon, so I quickly set everything up. It was due to start in 30 minutes so it really was fortuitous that I just happened to read my email at that time of day. (Coincidence #4). I spent the remaining time getting ready... paper & pencil for notes, Zoom all set up and ready to go, systems checked, glass of water, let the dogs out... you get the picture. As 3:30 rolled around, there I was sitting, waiting... and waiting...and waiting. Nothing happened. I went back to check the email and realized it was 2 days old. Had I missed it? Of well... it would be on video later, so I could check it out after dinner. I left everything set up because my caregiver arrived to help me with food prep. After she left and I'd eaten my dinner, I decided to let the dogs out. While waiting for them to do their business and get ready to come back in, I sat down at my desk and suddenly became aware of a voice giving a seminar.... on INSTAGRAM!... I quickly tuned in. It was the one I had wanted to watch and it was live! I could ask questions in real time. (Coincidence #5) I quickly rechecked the email to find out what was going on and realized that the email had been an advance notice of the upcoming event to take place at 3:30 pm Pacific time and 6:30 Atlantic time! Pure coincidence that the dogs needed to go out at exactly the same moment as the webinar started. It blew me away, but I was thrilled and excited to have this amazing opportunity.

Everything was still set up from before my caregiver arrived, so I was able to jump right in. The information was spot on and they were even able to answer my question. Hurray!!! While he was talking I opened a second window so I could see examples of the information he was talking about and Instagram opened to the Heirloom Literary site which I'm following. (Coincidence #6) If you've been following my blog you may remember my post on Aug. 17th called "So Excited". For the first time in decades this publishing company is opening it's doors to unsolicited authors who are not represented by agents. They've been releasing the submission guidelines bit by bit (great marketing ploy!) but they hadn't gotten to the meat of the query information yet and I've been so engrossed in my illustrations that I hadn't checked in a few days. When I opened their Instagram page there it was! All the query guidelines! (Coincidence #7 - lucky 7!!!)) So, I quickly jumped into multi-task mode and started taking notes on the Heirloom submission guidelines.

I couldn't believe how serendipitous the whole day had been. It was amazing... when you ask the Universe it does provide! Needless to say, I'm absolutely thrilled to have all this information. I'll put Instagram on the back burner for the next week while I prepare my submission for THE TRIQUETRA LEGACY. They announced that they are currently accepting adult fiction and non-fiction submissions, but that in a few weeks they will be open to children's picture books. Looks like I'm going to be burning the midnight oil. They also indicated that YA materials will be on their list a few months from now. I've decided I'll submit my adult version of my historical romantasy. I'm not sure my work fits well with what's currently hot on the YA market. I've been listening to a few YA romantasy novels my 18 year old granddaughter recommended while I've been working on my illustrations for my children's picture book and I'm not convinced my work fits well in that genre. My novel is more fast paced and plot driven than what I've been listening too. I'm going to aim more for the adult audience who seem to be more specific in their reading needs than teens - makes sense, their life experiences alone have provided them with more knowledge. That helps them relate to stories on a more advance level than the naturally limited life experiences of most teens. I had hoped to have a beta reader in the YA age group, but unfortunately, that's fallen through, so I think I'll stick with the adult market because I've had several beta readers in that age group and have had very positive feedback from them.

So, yesterday was a day of coincidences! Serendipity struck in full force and I'm absolutely delighted with the results. I'm excited about getting my query letter ready and looking forward to purchasing a new phone so I can soon start my Instagram postings. Now to pick a handle! My old one needs a refresh... wish me luck!

Best wishes always...

P.S. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog! My intention is to keep followers up to date on my latest writing adventures. My current focus is on fiction genres including children's picture books and YA/NA historical romanticies. I'm also preparing to write an epic fantasy for the young adult audience. As a debut author I face all the challenges of breaking into the traditional publishing market. I need your interest and support to do so! Please consider following me here and on other social media platforms, which you can access on the Home page of my author's web site. I'll be adding more in the weeks to come so please check back from time to time. Thank you so much, in advance, for following my blog. You are potentially helping me enrich the lives of future readers. I just need this break to attract my first agent representation! Your efforts will make all the difference! Thank you once again.