For those who don’t follow my @serial_nomad.writes YouTube channel, I just posted the 100th video of my memoir writing journey, which began back in May of 2014. To celebrate the milestone, I put together a 6-minute montage of my 2.5-year first draft journey, documenting the highs and lows of that initial struggle using my fingers rather than my feet to reach the northern terminus of the PCT.
To put things into perspective, a typical memoir usually sits around 80,000–100,000 words. My first draft was 250,000, which is why it has taken 10+ years to whittle the story down into something more digestible, though I still love the first draft as much as my current one.
In regard to my writing, I’ve had some very interesting developments take place this past week. The agent who I mentioned in my previous post actually got back to me and asked for the first 50 pages of my manuscript. In agent terms, this is called a “partial request.” I was so overwhelmed I burst into tears, and if you begin following @serial_nomad.writes, I’ll be posting a video of my reaction to her email next week! (Now if that doesn’t get a few new subscribers, I don’t know what will). ☺️
I had started moving in the direction of self-publishing, with the hope of birthing this book in 2026. But now that I’ve had some professional interest, I’m planning to wait the 3–4 month period it could take her to review the first 50 pages and see what happens. You’ll be the first to know if and when I hear anything more! Fingers crossed! 🤞🏻
Serial Nomad 
Good news on the agent response! Self-publishing is your backup if nothing else comes along. Looking forward to the book! If you’re going to be back in this hemisphere I’ll have a couple of PCT projects next summer. Love to have you out there! Jack
Jack!! Great to hear from you! Thanks for the encouragement! 🙏 Please let me know your project dates! I would LOVE to get out there with you and the team next summer!! ☀️ My plans are still a little hazy, but I will be back on the same continent as you sometime in 2026 for sure! ☺️
Dates are July 17/18/19 for Cascade Crest 100 (we have a project that occurs every year during the 100 mile trail run). I’ll be running a project two weekends after that at the end of July (tentative date at this point). Hope that time frame works for you my friend. Jack
I’m putting these dates in my calendar! Once my plans are a little more solid I’ll let you know!! ☺️
This is the link to the race: https://www.cascadecrest100.com/
They run on 30 miles of the PCT.
Wow! That’s so cool! I would love to see them in action!!
Fingers crossed! We’ll be waiting to hear. Good luck!
Thanks Dave! Great to hear from you and much appreciated!! 🙏
Sounds really good!! 👍🍀
Thanks Huub!!! Fingers crossed I hear something back soon!! 🤞😊
Hi darling, I loved the video you made. So cleverly and beautiful done. It shows your determination, and I know that you have a lot of that. It will be wonderful to hold your book in my hand and read it. Keeping fingers cross for the next months. Please, let it be, let it be.
Love you heaps, Mutti xx
Thank you, Mutti! That first draft and all the ones that followed have certainly been a rollercoaster. But I can say all the hard work has paid off because I really love the book now and feel proud to send it out into the world! I can’t wait to see it in your hands too!! 💖
I just watched the video. I laughed, cried and smiled along with you. It’s 100% YOU! What a journey, one you needed regardless of how many books you sell.
Thank you, Jan! I was just reliving that weekend with you in Redding! Those days are a perfect example of the magic I experienced throughout that journey! What a gift!! 🩷