kt literary client Catherine Cheek had a fascinating post up on her blog this weekend about balancing work and writing, and I thought it was well worth sharing. She offers some great advice.
I’ve quite a number of queries since I reopened for business on January 5th, so I thought — since it got such a great reaction last time — I would serve up another helping of live-blogging my queries. As before, I don’t intend to post anything too specific about the queries here, but I will try to remark on my decisions to decline or request material.
I’m a little late with my blog post for the day, but I was busy earlier making plans for a little wine reception I’m hosting with fellow Denver agent Kristin Nelson for the editors and librarians who’ll be coming to town later this month for ALA Midwinter. If you’re an editor or librarian who’s going to be in town, we’d love to see you!
Of the many books I listed before the holidays, some I didn’t get to, some I finished, but only one did I start and put down less than halfway through, unmotivated to continue by what I felt were cold characters and a narrative style that seemed unduly remote. I didn’t love making that decision. I’ll stop reading a manuscript halfway through with nary a second thought if I know I don’t love it, but that’s also about making a decision to represent a project. But a finished book?
Or not “you” so much as “me,” but in any case, the following links came to me over the holidays, and I wanted to share! First, this review of Let it Snow by Jocelyn over at Teen Book Review. To quote: “Maureen Johnson can always be counted on for hilarity and cheer! I loved it. I laughed out loud. In Target.”
