Well, what a whirlwind the last few months have been! The last time I posted, I referenced the Friends Reunion, so it’s safe to say it’s been a while. I’ve been busy—writing, pitching, working, living. So much of the writing life is pretty boring to the outside world. As a freelance writer, no one really understood what I do (“people pay you to do what?!”) and there’s really only so many images one can share of a keyboard with a worn out e, a, s, d and c (the o, l, m and n are almost gone too to be fair).
Anyway. Back in August 2022 I pitched to a few agents as part of the RWA (Romance Writer’s of Australia) Conference that I attended. That was a great experience, but not the point of today’s news. One of those pitches resulted in being signed by the very lovely Alex Adsett (of Alex Adsett Literary). I cannot tell you how validating it has been to have someone of her calibre validate my mad ideas and tell me to just go and write! An absolute dream.
In September, my good friend (and sometime-editor) Cecile Shanahan told me about Penguin Random House’s open submissions month. She had worked on my Young Adult Mystery with me and thought I should throw it in the mix. Given I had my manuscript polished, and my pitch ready to go, I had nothing to lose but my expectations were low.
In late October, I received an email from Alex. She’d initially asked for the first 5,000 words of my novel, and now wanted the full manuscript. Two days later I received an email from Penguin Random House. Magically, my work had been lifted from the slush pile and they loved it…would I chat with them about what else I’ve got going on? In November I had my meeting with Zoe and Mary from PRH. They told me they’d like to put forward the work in the December acquisitions meeting. Then I chatted again with Alex. She’d love to represent me!
One week before Christmas I received a letter of offer from PRH. At the beginning of this February 2023 I signed a contract for two books – the first out in September of this year (that’s less than two months away now). My structural report soon followed and then it was time to really get some work done.
I’ll share more in future newsletters…about the journey leading to that pitch last August, and also more about this novel and the work involved, but for now…what’s on the list lately:
I read some absolutely fabulous books last year (so fabulous, in fact, that my expectations for this year have been a little high)! My 2022 favourites include:
Finley Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (and the rest in this series so far…a fun, quirky and fast-paced mystery with hilarious characters);
The House By The Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (this beautiful book is a warm hug and I still miss all the characters now it’s over);
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead (an epic story of love and family and following your passions);
Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (unforgettable characters (including the best dog ever) and a love letter to women everywhere);
Waiting For The Storks by Katrina Nannestad (this middle grade historical war novel will make you cry and restore your faith in humanity);
Stone Town by Margaret Hickey (a rural Aussie noir thriller with heart);
Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz (this suspenseful mystery is heartbreaking in its honesty);
Gallant by VE Schwab (a lyrical, middle grade ghost story about belonging); and
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister (perhaps the cleverest, twistiest mystery thriller I’ve ever read).
This podcast with Patricia Cornwell and Tosca Lee is fabulous – Patricia is so awesome and has been added to my dream dinner party list thanks to this interview.
The wonderful Amie Kaufman has the most soothing voice and practical advice and her little snippets On Writing are the best. I will say, it was a huge honour to be included in her advice on Writing When You Have No Time.
I’ve spent a lot of time watching reruns and repeats (which, I am reliably informed, is the media equivalent of comfort eating). Other than the final season of Ted Lasso, I haven’t been desperately seeking much new content at all. I did watch Glass Onion earlier this year and thought it was fab and I’ve got a list a mile long of recommendations that it might well be time to check out. I will report back.
Finally, I want to leave you with some thoughts. This popped up on TikTok and the best I’ve been able to manage is tracing it back to Margarita on Tumblr (so I hope I am crediting it properly, because it’s so great):
Your purpose in life is not to love yourself but to love being yourself.
If your goal is to love yourself, then your focus is directed inward toward yourself, and you end up constantly watching yourself from the outside, disconnected, trying to summon the ‘correct’ feelings towards yourself, or fashion yourself into something you can approve of.
If your goal is to love being yourself, then your focus is directed outward towards life, on living and making decisions based on what brings you pleasure and fulfillment.
Be the subject, not the object. It doesn’t matter what you think of yourself. You are experiencing life. Life is not experiencing you.
Have a beautiful month. Do something marvellous. Chat soon with more news.
