About once a year, I embark on the prospect of a new novel. The problem with writing novels on spec is that you don't get advances, like big-time writers such as Stephen King or John Grisham. Down here in the trenches, we write and TRY to get published. That's where you guys come in.

I'm on the verge of finishing my current novel; this summer, I aim to sit down and write a brand-new book called MEATBALL EXPRESS. It's the unusual story of a kid trying to gain weight so he can go to exercise camp ... where the girl he's in love with is going to be all summer. It's my first shot at writing directly for the young adult market, and I'm pretty excited to write it.

Why do I need money to write a book? Simple: I work a lot of jobs, and most of them don't pay. In order to justify devoting time to writing a novel, I need to have funds. I will use them for operating expenses ($500 a month over June, July, and August), to retain the services of an editor, and to work on getting it published. 

Any help I can get to make this happen would be so lovely! Thank you so so so much to everyone who can help!