We as writers are learning to embrace new technologies, realizing to find and hold our audiences, we need to keep them updated, to intrigue, to captivate, to amaze. Yet we as writers are not the only ones seeking a larger audience. Here is where Pope Benedict XV enters the scene – or shall we say blogosphere?

Pope Benedict XV proclaimed in late January, “I renew the invitation to make astute use of the unique possibilities offered by modern communications. May the Lord make all of you enthusiastic heralds of the Gospel in the new ‘agorà’ which the current media are opening up."

One of Benedict’s advisors, Cardinale Crescenzio Sepe, now has his own Facebook page. The archbishop of Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony, now podcasts. Young priests are being encouraged to embrace social media before they leave divinity school.

Words only have power when they are heard or read. The Pope realizes that if no one is listening, the Church will ultimately fall. This same idea that holds true for religious texts and quandaries holds true for your own inspiration. I’m not comparing creative writing to religious epiphany or understanding here; however, the pages hiding in our notebooks and computer files need to take form. Be it in a book or in a blog, your readers cannot ponder the significance or your words until you put them out there.

So I send out a call to follow Pope Benedict XV’s revelation – not in its messages of Catholicism (unless this is your belief), but in its brilliance of twenty-first century insight.

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Literary Agent Search updates (onto round 2):
Fiction queries sent out - 17
Presently with full manuscript – 1
Not yet responded – 6
Rejected – 10*
Request for exclusive access to Non-fiction proposal – 1**

*Most positive rejections so far (yes, there is such a thing!):

“You have a great imagination - I love the premise - and you're a good writer, but I'm sad to say that I just wasn't passionate enough about this. I wish I could offer constructive suggestions, but I thought the dialogue was fine, the characters well-crafted, and the plot well-conceived. That stated, I think it's the kind of thing that really is subjective - why some people adore the book on the top of the NYTimes bestseller list, and others don't.” - NYC literary agent (to remain anonymous)

“We’re going to step aside. But your manuscript is very polished and it revolves around a very commercial idea, so I’m sure you’ll have other agents jumping on this in no time.” – NYC agent (to remain anonymous)

**Most promising recent email from an agent:

“Just an update...You received a positive first read on the first nonfiction proposal you sent....” – NYC agent (to remain anonymous)