Draft of 'Jack's Boat' cruises from author to editor

WATKINS GLEN, New York - Saturday afternoon the first full-length draft of Jack's Boat was printed out and handed over to three beta readers for a first pass at the novel.

It came in just under 60,000 words, appreciably lighter than the 90,000 words of The Fracking War or the 80,000 words of Fracking Justice.

But then, Jack's Boat is a different kind of novel. And the beta readers might have some suggestions that could add thousands of words. Thousands...

Jack London

As I've said before, the 'Jack' referred to in the title Jack's Boat is NOT Jack Stafford (of The Fracking War or Fracking Justice).

It does refer to American author Jack London.

What's the deal with the boat? For that, you will have to wait at least a few months to read the novel when it goes into print and e-book formats.

For me, the completion of Jack's Boat means it's time to move on to the next novel while the beta readers take their long knives to the manuscript.

What's up next?

Several projects come to mind - including a week or two of vacation from novel writing.

Just kidding. Watch for the working title of the next Jack Stafford installment in a week or two.