Vanessa Ravencroft: Blog

Update, Explanation and Appeal

This is an explanation why my writing slowed down a bit.
I finished Vol 10 on Patreon and will post the entire Volume as fast as SOL lets me. There is always a delay between my posting a chapter and SOL releasing it.
I have begun posting and writing Galaxy at War on Patreon. This will of course include Galaxy at War - Chapter 14 and beyond.

On the personal/medical side

As you might have read in previous post
I had a heart attack on on the 11/26/2019
This how the doctors call it:
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
(STEMI) SVT Supraventricular tachvcardia: SVTI

Now last Saturday I was re-admitted to the hospital and spend 4 days in the ICU.
My heart rhythm went flat and that was the reason for the re-admission.I am now scheduled for Open heart surgery for a artery graft.
As I mentioned
Now I need to wear a LifeVest

.
The thing monitors my heart and delivers electro pulses to control the heart rhythm. Insurance covers most of the cost, but the LifeVest runs $3,370 a month to lease. The LifeVest continuously monitors the patient's heart, and if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, the device delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

So due to that, I got a very special Christmas present. Not that the actual procedures (My copay part) is anything but cheap.
hat's why I have a GoFundMe page for that. Medical costs killed me in 2019
If you like my writing you might consider heling me out on that?

Heart Attack on the 11/26/2019
I had a heart attack abd this how the doctors call it:
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
(STEMI) SVT Supraventricular tachvcardia: SVT

They found two arteries that were clogged and placed stints . They were unable to place on in a third artery because it is too far gone.
They recommend a bypass .

They also diagnosed me with Supraventricular tachvcardia and tried something called an ablation, but stopped because the area is too close to the valve.
Now I need to wear a LifeVest

.
The thing monitors my heart and delivers electro pulses to control the heart rhythm. Insurance covers most of the cost, but the LifeVest runs $3,370 a month to lease. The LifeVest continuously monitors the patient's heart, and if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, the device delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
IMG 20191126 142413
IMG 20191128 101255
So due to that, I got a very special Christmas present. Not that the actual procedures (My copay part) is anything but cheap.
hat's why I have a GoFundMe page for that. Medical costs killed me in 2019

Dear Reader
I am qt the last chapter or Eric Olafson. Last Volume (Volume x). As always I will migrate all chapters of EO Volume X to SOL. That should occur within this week.
I had a heart attack which slows things a little.
So by next week. I finish the 3 volumes of Roy Masters on Patreon and as always migrate the completed stories to SOL.

Vanessa

Dear Readers and Friends,

In my previous post, I told you about my retirement and I thank you all for the wonderful messages I got. My retirement was not entirely voluntary, mostly due to my health issues. I also plan to be a full-time writer.

As you know I hope to be published by a traditional publisher. Like TOR, Penguin or Simon and Shuster etc.
I was told I needed a professional editor and then I found out, that most of the big publishers do not accept unsolicited materials, but solely accept submissions by literary agents.
To be represented by a reputable agent is also not all that easy. You need a so-called query letter and of course agents that accept such a letter.
Generally speaking, literary agents take 15% of your total income from the first sale of your book before taxes. For example, if you receive a $10,000 advance on the first sale of the book to a major publisher, your literary agent will take a commission of $1,500.
Now I was successful in getting an agent.
It is for a new story and novel btw, as the stories I have published on SOL and Fictionpress are available for free and the publishers, according to the agent will not buy a book that competes with a free version.
Patreon is okay, as it is paid btw.
But I still need to have my new novel edited and I am $500.00 short.
I liquidated what I can but due to my medical expenses over the last two years, there isn't much left.
I have a deadline now, to submit a manuscript.
So here is the big thing.

I want to ask if you guys can lend me the money. (Gofundme)

I am so close to a real breakthrough and I feel I you my readers understand why I dare to ask this.
I have exhausted any other avenues. So I am asking you. I am able to pay it back, by January.

So please don't be offended by my plea, simply ignore it if it does.

Thank you for listening,

Vanessa

Dear Friends

I celebrated my 56th birthday on the 18th of October. That date also marks my official retirement. I closed the doors of my small business and that kept me busy,
Since no one pays me for my writing on SOL, but my friends and readers on patreon.com do. I always write a post for them first
I just didn't have the time to update both stories. But the Eric Olafson saga is near its end and.
Book 10 is at Chapter 12 as we speak.
I will post Vol 10 right here on SOL very soon. I have not forgotten about Roy. I update as soon as possible

Vanessa