Feb. 7, 2010

I enter "Swarm Raider" in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest.

Mar. 16, 2008

I keep hoping a mainstream publisher will find Swarm Raider before I attempt to self-publish. In the meantime, I continue to edit and pare down the novel.

Oct. 24, 2007

Still unable to find a publisher because my novel is too long, and it's a fantasy without magic, I begin to consider self-publishing. I hire artists and a copyeditor, and begin working on this website.

Sep. 8, 2006

Discovering that some of my science may be wrong (I had characters drinking honeydew directly from an aphid's cornicle, which is actually where the poison comes out), I look for an entomologist to review the work. I find one on an insect listserve. The entomologist points out mistakes.

Jul. 29, 2004

Realizing the manuscript is almost there, I ask the super agent to recommend an editorial service. He does. The editor likes the work and suggests changes, which makes the novel even better. The editor also convinces me to change the title.

May 31, 2004

The Lance Armstrong Foundation comes up with the ‘LiveStrong’ wristband. My characters have been using the term ‘Sting Strong’ for good luck. Now everyone will think I copied that. I consider removing the term but I like it too much. Sting Strong stays!

Apr. 27, 2004

I find a super agent interested in the premise. Unfortunately, he rejects the work. His note to me: "It's a daring concept and extremely difficult to bring off; I just didn't feel you did so, though you came close."

Jul. 3, 2003

I finish the manuscript Arthrozoic Earth and begin submitting to agents.

Mar. 31, 2001

I finish reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I'm completely blown away. I thought my novel was good. I thought I had been creative. No! I made a half-effort attempt at a novel with little to no creativity. No wonder everyone rejected the work. They needed to. My insects were speaking as humans. They wore human clothing and used human weapons. I trash the entire manuscript save one scene, Blattella Germanicus and his use of the Venus Flytrap. I vow to match JK's creativity.

Oct. 2, 1998

WHAT THE HECK! Now Antz comes out! It doesn't matter because I'm now working on the Railgun Putter. The bug book has been shelved.

Nov. 25, 1998

A Bug's Life comes out. Darn! Thanks to all the publisher and agent rejections, Disney beats me to it!

Aug. 26, 1994

I begin submitting Arthrozoic Earth to agents and publishers.

Mar. 1, 1994

I finish the first draft of Arthrozoic Earth: the age of insects.

May 31, 1993

I graduate from the University of North Texas. In between jobs, I start writing the bug book.

Jun. 1, 1988

I have an idea to write a fictionalized bug book. The book will be about an ant who travels. During his travels the reader learns of other insects and their special talents. I call the book Alexander the Ant, a play on Alexander the Great. His cricket is Bucephalus.