A: The publishing industry is an interesting animal. If you are serious about publishing a book, you need to read two books first: How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen, AAR and How to Write to Irresistible Query Letters by Lisa Collier Cool. If you're interested in writing children's books, I recommend It's a Bunny-Eat-BunnyWorld by Olga Litowinsky. If your interest is in writing cook books, I recommend Recipes Into Type: A Handbook for Cookbook Writers and Editors by Joan Whitman and Dolores Simon. Once you have read these books, if you are still interested you can e-mail me for my opinion. The first consultation is without charge, however, due to the volume of manuscripts I am requested to see, I must charge my standard fee beyond the first consultation.

A: I didn't really make a decision to start writing, I just write. Writing is something I have been passionate about since I was a child. I had my first poem published when I was six years old, I worked on my first novel at 18, and continued to write ever since. My problem was never what to write, but when to stop writing. I remember an elementary school teachers would tell the students to write a 10 page report, they would turn to me and say, "Sheri, no more than 20." I must admit, even as I published my first book the editor was still saying, "Sheri, I think we have enough here." I can't imagine not writing.

A: Develop a thick skin. The rejections are just part of this business. Think of it this way, what you are writing is a plate of cookies. Do not take it personally when somebody doesn't want your cookie. That doesn't mean your cookie is not wonderful, they just do not want your cookie right now. It also does not mean that your manuscript is not have merit. Keep trying. Sooner or later, somebody may want your cookie. And if they don't, enjoy them all yourself. In my opinion, a writer will not write to please someone else, they write because it's what they do, it's who they are.