Today is the twenty-fifth in a series of posts by San-Diego-based writer Thomas Shess who has decided to keep a journal on his journey to find a publisher for his novel.

Networking? The City Club in San Diego is a forum for discussing national and local issues. Topics and guest speakers run the gamut. Many of the featured speakers are best selling writers. Many come to tout books. Others, like author Richard Reeves, come (25 speaking engagements and counting) because they like founder George Mitrovich's approach. And, who wouldn't like So. Calif. in mid-winter? Over the years, George has met and become friends with many authors. I recently called George and brazenly asked how would joining the City Club improve my chances of my novel being published? "Join and find out," he said and $125 later I was a member. I went to my first City Club luncheon with a buddy to hear a local political forum. My friend had to duck out early. George was blocking the exit. We were caught like school kids skipping class. Actually, George remembered my book and promptly asked to give him 30 seconds synopsis of my mss. Caught unawares, I surprised myself by giving a good quick verbal summation. "I'll see what I can do," he said. The next day, I get an email from George suggesting that I send a synopsis and three chapters to a fellow club member, who happened to be a publisher of West Coast based firm. With an intro like that I sent the my materials by UPS. Two days later, I get a phone call from the publisher saying he received the material and he will get back to me after the holidays. Whether or not something comes of it, I was in contact with a major publisher on the phone talking about my novel. My face-to-face networking produced the lead. A valuable lesson learned.

Pacing is Everything. Mitch Albom (in case someone doesn't know) is the author of "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," published by Hyperion. Anyone that read his "Tuesdays with Morrie" understands Mitch is a gifted storyteller. In "five people" he creates suspense right away in what is a straightforward memoir. He tells the story by simply going from point a to point b meeting the five people one at a time. Of course you're going to turn the pages to find out who they are. That's story telling at its fundamental best. Also the story hits home. We all have relatives like Albom's Eddie. Uplifting yet a bit of a downer. Just like life. No frills-just good work. He's one of the five people I still want to meet while I'm still on the topside of the planet.

Surf City. Last week, I discovered a wonderful agent's newsletter that give new writers tips on how to better approach a prospective agent. This week, thanks to book editor Mike Sirota's website I finally learned when and when not to use which or that. OK, should have learned that in high school, but better late than never. The following is from Mike's site:

Which, or that? This one stumps many writers. First, let's look at the boring explanation in the grammar books: In a dependent clause, use which if it is a nonrestrictive clause, and that if it is a restrictive one.

Now, let's try to make it easier. Look at these two sentences:

The dishes, which are on the kitchen counter, need to be washed.

The dishes that are on the kitchen counter need to be washed.

These sentences are only different in that one has commas and uses which, while the other has no commas and uses that. Still, the meanings differ. In the first, nonrestrictive sentence, the indication is that all the dishes need to be washed. All of them just happen to be on the kitchen counter. In the second, restrictive sentence, it is implied that only the dishes on the kitchen counter need to be washed. Other dishes on the table, floor, ceiling, wherever, do not need to be washed.

Thrillers are Due. Publisher's Weekly said Xmas sales were a B-plus for independent book stores. Indy retailers pointed to the lack of a blockbuster best seller this season and lack of availability for those books that were selling as two reasons for the "Just OK" sales report. Agents and Publishers need not look farther than this column for a new trend. Thrillers are ripe for a comeback. Tear ducts have been drained on chick lit and memoirs. Time to put them on the edge of their seats. Once again, I'd like to remind any literary agent that my first recently completed thriller is ready to go. Drop me an e-mail for a pithy synopsis.

* Because it's a jungle out there.