$1 coin featuring Elizabeth Peratrovich, United States Mint, 

Prior to the law, Alaska was segregated. Native people went to separate schools, hospitals, theaters, restaurants and were buried in separate cemeteries. I can't wait to tell you about Elizabeth's passion and courage and how she responded when racists slurs were thrown in her face in the state legislature.

However...

my additional goal has been to write fiction for young adults. Over the last decade I've written five novels that remain unpublished. Last year, I decided to try a new genre, hoping for more success. Plus, not getting any younger.

Mysteries have been my favorite books to read since I was a child, but I admire the genre so much, I feared I wasn't clever enough to write one. So, it's been a huge leap for me to take a break from my nonfiction books and try something new.

It's been a steep learning curve, but I've enjoyed the work and had a lot of fun.

My next step...

Begin querying agents with this new manuscript, which is an arduous and lengthy process. My prior accomplishments in publishing don't help me much if this new story isn't compelling and marketable.

Marketable is the challenge. Most agents and editors are seeking the next big breakout New York Times bestseller and are extremely hesitant to take a chance on a story that's not groundbreaking in some way.

Mystery fans are voracious and often happy to get their hands on a new book, even if it's not a bestseller, which I'm hoping will open a door for me. In addition, my mystery is fast-paced, character-driven, features a sweet romance, forest-mountain-lake setting and cold case murder.

I'm really excited to have finished this manuscript and gearing up to withstand a barrage of rejection before finding an agent who loves it.