December Check In

Heyo! I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season. There's nothing more exciting than all the frenzy and finality December can bring. 

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving at home in Baltimore with my family. Not only did I spend lots of time with my favorite cousin, Sara and her new husband, but we threw her a baby shower (in which I promised her a blog mention). Our cousin Crystal made all the food, which included bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese, meatballs cooked in grape jelly (is this a Maryland thing or does everyone make this?) and a pretty epic cake. 

My reading has slowed down considerably, only because things have been so busy. However, if you're looking for something new to pick up, consider:

ALL AMERICAN BOYS, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Keily. A duel-narrative of two American teenagers--one white and one black--and how police brutality affects their lives.

THE BOSTON GIRL, by Anita Diamant. Follows the life of a young woman born in 1900 to Jewish immigrants in Boston and touches on pieces of history I hadn't read much about before: World War I, the flu of 1918, and the Minnesota orphan train.

THE SACRED LIES OF MINNOW BLY, by Stephanie Oakes. A story about a girl who escapes from her Kevinian cult at the price of both her hands.

Lastly, and most sadly, we lost our sweet pup this month. Nelly was my trusted cocker spaniel for the last fourteen years. I've owned her my entire adult life and she's spent many nights sleeping under my desk while I wrote stories and blog posts and query letters. To be honest, I'm not sure what to do with the hole she's left by my side. While I figure it out, I hope this year brings a bit of peace and some healing. And I hope it brings you joy and love.

Agents Like Us - Caitie Flum

This week Caitie Flum from Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency stops by to chat agenting secrets, clients, and life with us.

She is looking for commercial and up market fiction, middle grade, young adult, and new adult, as well as nonfiction. You can learn more about Caitie here, find her submission guidelines there, and follow her on Twitter @CaitieF. Her answers are below in bold.

Caitie on Agenting

• When writers query me, I really wish that authors would would follow my guidelines. About a third do not. I also really wish authors would have someone read their query who does not know their book at all. Sometimes it is confusing and the author or their beta reader is too close to it. Make sure it makes sense!

• My favorite part about being an agent is authors! I love authors, that is why I do this. I love working with authors, fighting for authors, and having that partnership. 

• Rules and trends aside, what I really look for in a story is a voice I adore. If I don't like the voice enough, I can't be the champion for it.

• Whenever I make a book deal, I make sure the author celebrates and is properly excited. I also have some champagne. 

• I really wish I saw more mysteries in the slush for all age groups. A good mystery is timeless.

Caitie On Clients

• My ideal client would be someone who wants to be a long-term writer, someone who will grow and improve with every book. 

• What I love most about my current clientele is they are enormously talented, incredibly kind, work really hard, and are just the loveliest people ever. 

• What I want most for any client is whatever is best for them, whether that is a print deal, digital, or some combination. I want them to be happy and feel supported and to know that I have their back. I want them to have the career that they want and will do everything in my power to make it happen.

Caitie On Life

• If I weren't an agent, I'd probably be working somewhere else in publishing or maybe in a library? I can't imagine doing anything else. 

• My favorite (non-client) book is I just finished ILLUMINAE by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman (had to change the billing since Jay is always second because of the alphabet) and it was AMAZING. Best book I read this year. It could easily move into the running for top 5 oo 10 favorite books of all time.

• Secretly, I'm terrified of I can't do heights when there is a chance of falling. I love tall roller coasters and flying, but I had high seats at a stadium Taylor Swift concert and had to exchange them because I started shaking.

• My secret boyfriend is Chris Hardwick because he is so nerdy and cute. I know that is a really weird answer!

• I have a total girlcrush on Viola Davis. Have you WATCHED How To Get Away With Murder? The woman is brilliant and beautiful.

• Sometimes, when no one is around, I sing along to Hamilton. Sometimes I even rap REALLY badly.

• My favorite drink is Moscato wine. I love all wine, but that is my favorite!

Want to see more Agent Interviews? Check them all out here.

I Promised You A Blog Post

I promised you a blog post

But all I can do is stare at a blank screen

Struggling to write

The one thing I'm good at

The one thing I've always been able to do

So I'll try to say it in a new way

Words aligned into neat little lines

Freestyle it from my heart

Even though my thoughts knot and snarl

With one click of a button

I sent a Pack-and-Play to your doorstep

And it will never feel like enough

To say that I'm happy for you

And sorry

For all the times I've been selfish and cruel

Or just confusing

And thankful for

And all the times you've picked up the phone

Pretended like nothing was wrong

My first friend

My first best friend

You are a new person now

Your belly round 

(but not that round)

A new girl inside

For our tribe of strong and fragile women

A new partner at your side

Who makes you laugh

In a way I've never heard you laugh before

The kind of laugh that means you're truly happy

I promise you a blog post

As I play the role of court jester

Clutching a paper plate and a plastic cup

Everyone laughs as we shower you with gift cards

Cringe at chocolate bars melted inside diapers

Cut cakes made of pink fondant

Ooo and aww in all the right places

Tiny clothes with cupcake covered behinds

None say Future Feminist

Like I know how you will raise a daughter to be

She will have 

The best of both worlds

Southern sweetness

Northern nerve

Just like you

In just 4 months 

You will be a mother

A role that seems so adult

When did we become adults?

I still think of us as two heads

In a sea of family

One blonde and one brunette

Always together

I write this late at night

When I know you'll be sleeping

Being the responsible one

While I stay up

The dreamer and star counter

Because I promised you a blog post

Even though you deserve so much more