Some time ago, I signed up for July Novel Writing Month, which of course, is a writing contest identical to National Novel Writing Month, held in November. What are all of these novel writing months? The goal of these contests is to write a 50,000 word novel. The prize is having written a 50,000 word novel.

My specialty has been short stories, so this contest should be particularly challenging. I will be on a sabbatical of sorts as I focus my time and energy on this challenge. Don't worry, I will continue to post to Unpublished Guy, documenting my journey in the spirit of Captain Robert Scott's race to the South Pole and Sir John Franklin's 1854 Expedition to discover the Northwest Passage.

Also, expect to see several guest bloggers posting in their areas of writing and publishing expertise.

William Blake, graphic designer and self-publishing guru. He hand-produced his visually stunning works using a watercolor technique that he perfected himself. Each copy he made of a particular poem varied in the tint of the illustrations, order of plates, and the order of words and lines that appeared in some copies but not in others. Blake has returned from Heaven and Hell to share his experience and vision.

Dr. Zaius, establishment insider. An orangutan. As Minister of Science and Chief Defender of the Faith, Dr. Zaius he has access to ancient scrolls and other information not given to the ape masses. He has graciously put aside his feelings about the human race to share those scrolls related to publishing fiction.

Gerald Freund, book reviewer. A figment of my imagination, Gerald has kindly taken corporeal form as a mouse. As a fictional character who could be better suited to provide insight into fiction. Not limited to reading stories forwards and backwards, he can live them forwards and backwards to ensure that he can provide the most informed review possible.

Mrs. Butterworth, pitch individual. A jar of syrup in one of a memorable and long running marketing campaigns. Is anyone better to discuss the marketing aspects of writing and publishing?