For the past six months, I have been writing a workbook based on the series of intuitive tarot classes I teach. The workbook is just about completed; a few more chapters on bits and pieces, then back to the beginning to do some editing and polishing up.

As mine is a non-fiction book, my research has shown that I don’t have to have a completed manuscript before starting my search for an agent. And so, the search is on!

Obviously, I’m looking for an agent who specializes in, and is currently open to receiving, queries on non-fiction, self-help/spiritual/new-age books, and willing to take on a new author. I’ve found several, and this morning sent off two email queries.

What’s a “query”? Basically, a query letter is a one (or two at the most) page letter introducing me (the author) and my book. Most agents today require a query letter first; if that letter peaks their interest, they’ll ask for a proposal and sample chapters. Additionally, many agents will only accept email queries.

So, in one short email, I have to create enough interest in me and my book to get an agent, who receives hundreds of queries a week, to want to see more. No pressure there!

It will be several weeks before I’ll get a response….if either of these agents is interested. If they are not, I’ll hear nothing. In the meantime, I’ll continue my research on agents, and continue to send out queries.

Even knowing I may be rejected, it’s pretty exciting! I loved writing the workbook, I’m fascinated by the whole process of queries and submissions and proposals, and one way or another, my workbook WILL get published. Of that I’m sure.

Facebook is a fascinating site. People share the minutiae of their lives with friends and strangers alike: some posts are thoughtful; some posts are silly and/or funny; interesting videos are shared; community events broadcast.

More than the posts themselves, the comments about the posts are most telling. You can learn a lot about someone by the comments they write.

Yesterday, I got into a “conversation” with someone I did not know, who had commented on a post written by someone we both did know. I found his comment to be distasteful, and responded to it. Following is the exchange (names omitted):

him: Have you seen the t-shirt, “If a fat girl falls in the forest and nobody is around to see it, do the tree’s laugh?” AHAHAH

me: Why would a person choose to wear a t-shirt with such a hurtful saying on it? So not funny.

him: i thought it was hilarious! you just have no sense of humor, gina.

me: I actually have a great sense of humor! I just don’t find humor in that which degrades or diminishes others.

him: Lol k. Its still hilarious in my eyes though.

I am so saddened that people find it “hilarious” to mock, degrade, and/or diminish others. As a woman, especially in light of the resurgence of overt sexism and misogyny in our society, I am particularly offended by “jokes” against women.

What is so hilarious about mocking “fat girls”? Don’t women, young and old alike, struggle enough with society’s demands of perfection? Every magazine ad, every billboard, every television show and commercial pretty much tells us that if we aren’t thin, beautiful, and young, we’re not worth much.

We’ve seen, in the past couple of years, a rise in sexist and misogynist behavior by both men and women. (Why women find it necessary to tear down other women I will never understand; it breaks my heart.) Who can forget the “Sarah Palin is a cunt” t-shirts worn so proudly by young men and women who didn’t like her politics? How about the “Hillary Clinton is a bitch” t-shirts, also worn by those who opposed her? The media continues its disgraceful displays of misogyny towards Governor Palin even today, while late-night “comedians” make lewd and crude “jokes” about the Governor’s daughters.

It’s irrelevant whether you support someone politically. Guess what? Women are human beings, and deserve to be treated with respect. Disagree with their politics, but treat every person with the same respect you expect.

“Fat girl” jokes are not funny, they are hurtful. T-shirts calling women degrading names are not funny, they are despicable. Jokes by comedians about young girls are not funny, they are shameful.

Next time you hear a “joke” that degrades another human being, please think twice before laughing. Please consider speaking out and letting the jokester know that what he/she said is neither funny nor appropriate. You and I are part of society, and as such it’s up to us to change society’s consciousness about what is funny and what is just plain mean.