We're back from visiting Linda's mom. . .

. . .in Lansingburgh, NY.   Though the trips are absolutely necessary, they drag out and are pretty trying on Linda.  On Monday afternoon, while Linda and her mother were grocery shopping, I decided to write my blog even though I had no computer.  I put a new legal pad on my knee.  I just love new pads and notebooks  Took up a Dr. Boule' pen.  These are fantastic, complimentary pens we get from our dentist, who is also fantastic, when we sign our check or credit card slip.  While you might write with a Bic, I write with a Boule'.  So armed, I began to write. . .

               When I last blogged, I said I had to write a cover letter to help market ARTHUR REDUX.  Cover letters and query letters are always discussed at writing conferences and written about at length in writing journals.  The latter are often used to query editors about a writing idea a writer has.  Often non-fiction, the writing idea is one the writer hopes the editor will agree to pay her or him to research and write about.  Some years when I was teaching creative writing, the students, (read that boys), were so sophomoric, (read that immature for seniors), that I couldn't say "query" without them giggling.

                A cover letter summarizes a completed piece of writing.  It may also provide biographical information about the author and other relevant material.  The following is the body of a cover letter I wrote for ARTHUR REDUX:

          "I love the Arthurian legend, and I love the oceanside towns of Cape Cod, Mass.  I combined these two favorites in the two act fantasy ARTHUR REDUX, which I wrote and directed for SUMMERPLAY, the Village of Chittenango's summer theatre in upstate New York.

          Subtitled "a modern morality play with a medieval touch," the play uses the idea expressed in the legend that Arthur will someday return to this world.  One morning Arthur and his magician friend Merlin find themselves in the lobby of  the Avalon Inn in Brewster, Ma., without any idea of how they got there or why they arrived.  In short order, Arthur discovers that one of his old nemeses, the witch Morgan LeFay, now called Fay Morgan, is still alive and evil, and she is trying to put a new slant on the Seven Deadly Sins by tying them to modern technology.  In just 24 hours, Arthur and Merlin must assemble a modern team to represent the Seven Blessed Virtues and find a leader capable of opposing Morgan LeFay.  

          ARTHUR REDUX is the ninth play I have written and directed, first for Chittenango High School, and now for the village.  The fantasy, as well as being a modern morality play, presents quite a bit of background about the legend of King Arthur and the Round Table.  Our production was a real success, playing to full houses for three of our four performances.

         Thank you for considering ARTHUR REDUX for publication."

               Eldridge Plays is the first publisher to whom I will try to market ARTHUR. What is great about Eldridge Plays is that it accepts online submissions.  I can send them my cover letter with a PDF of the play attached.  Eldridge publishes quite a few plays and has an extensive catalog.  They are a traditional publisher and even have a division for religious plays.  THE LAUGHING MAN was not their dramatic cup of tea.  I'm looking forward to seeing how they react to this "morality play."

               I have now completed my Wednesday blog on Monday afternoon on 2 and 1/2 scribbled pages of a no longer new legal pad.  I hope to send off the letter and PDF by Friday. I still have to read through the script and make the necessary changes.

               I am glad to be back to my computer.  New legal pads and Boule' pens are great, but I'll take an Imac anyday.