Forever a WIP
Currently reading:
Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
Out There Screaming, edited by Jordan Peele
An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice [audiobook]
Books finished this week: 1
★★★★☆
Where this book came from: Bought at BookHampton, on the first day of Hamptons Whodunit, before I locked in on buying a bunch of crime fiction.
Why this book: Work book club! Lots to discuss with this one.
Thoughts: As any literary agent I’ve had a meeting with in the last few months will tell you, I love a behind-the-scenes story, and this one definitely fits the bill, looking at a Christian fundamentalist upbringing and the darker side of a “perfect” trad wife. This one was definitely slow, though I don’t mean that in a bad way——it was a slow build in both storylines, but I found myself always excited to keep reading when I had a minute. This book didn’t go where I thought it might, and I spent a lot of my reading time swatting away the stray thoughts, But what’s the twist? Where is this all headed? If you just follow the narrative where it’s leading——let go and let God, if you will——I think you’ll enjoy the ride.
Library updates:
I spent all of Friday in my pajamas, working mostly from my couch and my bed. Something I’ve realized about myself is that I need to strike the right balance between socialization and alone time, and that I’m in my mid-thirties (woof) and I still haven’t figured out what that balance is. So, I constantly overdo it, and then need a long break, or I have a lot of quiet time and start to go stir crazy.
This was a busy week, and I crashed on Friday——in a positive way, if that makes any sense. The rest was needed and I gladly took it. Not the best way to go about it, but I am, as always, a work-in-progress.
Anyway, proud of myself for reading more! I dug into Yesteryear and started reading poetry and short stories again, after a long sabbatical. I’m very far behind on the writing I want to be doing, because the stories want to be told and I have submission deadlines I want to hit, but I’ll find the time to get back on track.
To close out this week, I actually have a work-related note to impart. If any authors are reading and are interested in working with me——thank you, first of all!——please note that I am an editor at a publishing house. I am not a literary agent. I am not the person to be emailing in search of representation.
I’m also unable to accept unagented manuscripts directly, so if you happen to come across my work email, please don’t send me your pitch. Both the Crooked Lane and Alcove Press imprints accept unagented manuscripts via dedicated QueryTracker accounts, so please look up these links if you’re interested in submitting.
Sorry to mix business with pleasure, but I’ve noticed a distinct uptick in query emails from folks looking for representation. I look forward to reading your book when you find an agent. Until then, follow all submission guidelines. Please and thank you!
And if you don’t care about any of that, well, I’ll see you next week! Keep reading.
Closing thoughts:
Take a load off.
Total books read from the Moratorium Library: 205
(Total books added to the Moratorium Library: 436)
So, two books arrived last week, which I neglected to add to the count. I wasn’t trying to lie to you, I promise——I just drafted and posted last week’s missive late in the day after being out at my parents’ and genuinely forgot.
First was The Raven Scholar, which I ordered after a strong recommendation from Britt (hi, Britt!). Second was Of Plagues and Blasphemy, an anthology of medieval horror that includes a piece by Saratoga Schaefer, who is one of my authors at work! I’m really excited to support them and Grave Belles.
