Writers Like Us - Cath Crowley

I have more than a handful of Aussie YA writers who I love, but none more so than Cath Crowley. If you are just hearing about her, check out her YA contemp Graffiti Moon while you're waiting for her next book, Words in Deep Blue to come out next week.

Words in Deep Blue is a swoony, heartbreaking contemporary about teens in a bookstore, secret notes left in books, their love for each other, and the love they have for stories. I give it five heart emojis and five more book emojis. ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ + 📖  📖  📖  📖  📖

You can find more information on Cath here at her website, and follow her on Twitter @CathCrowley. Her answers below in bold.

Like these interviews? You can check them all out here, which include advice and insights from Sara Zarr, A.S. King, Becky Albertalli, Courtney Stevens, and many, many others.

Cath on Writing

• I've written ten books, and seven have seen the light of day.

• My favorite type of setting to write is one that’s not obviously beautiful – industrial and bleak, bright lights in a dark sky. 

• No matter how long I've been writing, I still have issues with structure – I can hear characters talking, I can see a bookstore, I can see letters in books, but I can’t see when the scene is happening. It’s lucky I have brilliant editors. 

• A typical comment from my critique partner is “I’d do a check on how many times you’ve used that same word...”

• The book I wished I wrote is We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. In fact, anything by E. Lockhart.

Cath on Getting Published

• When I was querying, I felt so impatient, so desperate to hear news. I checked my email obsessively. 

• The biggest mistake I ever made querying was being impatient. 

• What I love most about my agent is she’s incredibly smart, and incredibly supportive – win or lose she’s on my side regardless. 

• While my book was out on submission, I was certain it wouldn’t sell. When I got "The Call," my first thought was how should I celebrate? (You have to celebrate the wins, no matter how big or how small).

• When I saw my book sale in Publishers Marketplace I didn’t see my book sale – but I imagine I would have smiled. 

Cath on Life Outside Writing

• If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be an archivist or a librarian or, a bookseller. 

• Secretly, I'm terrified of losing the people I love. 

• My secret girlfriend/boyfriend is Bill Nighy. For a while there it was Ray Bradbury. 

• Sometimes, when no one is around, I read all day in bed.
  
  

Cath Crowley is a young adult fiction author based in Melbourne, Australia. She was born in 1971 in rural Victoria. Crowley's books include The Gracie Faltrain Trilogy, Chasing Charlie Duskin and Graffiti Moon. She is currently a freelance writer and part time teacher. Her work has been published in Australia and internationally.

Agents Like Us - Saba Sulaiman

Another Agents Like Us and today it's all about Saba Sulaiman from Talcott Notch Literary Services.

Saba has just reopened to queries and is seeking a whole lotta awesomeness: up-market, literary and commercial fiction, romance, psychological thrillers, memoir, young adult, middle grade, and nonfiction humor. Check out more about her tastes and guidelines here and here, and follow her on Twitter @AgentSaba. Her answers are below in bold.

Saba on Agenting

• When writers query me, I really wish they would do their research and make sure I’m acquiring the kind of book they’ve written.

• My favorite part about being an agent is ... I’m going to cheat and include three: 1) reading critically for a living 2) making my clients’ dreams come true, and 3) having independence and flexibility.

• Rules and trends aside, what I really look for in a story are compelling, multidimensional, characters with quirks and vulnerabilities, complex relationships, and gray morality.

• Whenever I make a book deal, I feel happy, relieved, and motivated to make more!

• I really wish I saw more fully-developed non-stereotypical marginalized main characters with agency and personality in the slush. Bonus points if they’re POC.

Saba On Clients

• My ideal client would be honest, kind, and have a great work ethic (because talent is a given, right?).

• What I love most about my current clientele is that they’re all honest, kind, and have a great work ethic (aside from being incredibly talented!).

• What I want most for any client is their happiness and contentment, in whatever forms they may take.

Saba On Life

• If I weren't an agent, I'd probably be in academia, harboring not-so-secret hopes of being a professional singer.

• My favorite (non-client) books are most recently (because there are WAY too many otherwise) I loved INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN by Thannha Lai (MG in verse), THE HATING GAME by Sally Thorne (romance), and ALL THE UGLY AND WONDERFUL THINGS by Bryn Greenwood (adult literary).

• Secretly, I'm terrified of my safety and that of other marginalized people.

• My secret boyfriend is ...only one? c’mon — I rotate between Idris Elba, Rahul Khanna, and Fawad Khan. 

• Sometimes, when no one is around, I should probably nap but instead I eat an obscene amount of cake in bed and catch up on Bollywood gossip.

• My favorite drink is a vanilla milkshake.

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

Agents Like Us - Lauren Spieller

It's been a while since we've had an awesome agent interview on the blog. Today, I'm so happy to have Lauren Spieller with TriadaUS Literary Agency here--and she has some agent secrets to share.

Lauren is seeking Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, as well as select Adult fiction and non-fiction. Whatever the age category or genre, Lauren is passionate about finding diverse and underrepresented voices.You can learn more about Lauren's tastes and guidelines here and follow her on Twitter @LaurenSpieller. Her answers are below in bold.

Lauren on Agenting

• When writers query me, I really wish they would research me first, and make sure I'm a good fit for their work.

• My favorite part about being an agent is advocating for authors!

• Rules and trends aside, what I really look for in a story is a great voice.

• Whenever I make a book deal, I celebrate with cocktails!

• I really wish I saw more diverse Middle Grade in the slush.

Lauren On Clients

• My ideal client would be hard working, well-read, and dedicated to craft.
• What I love most about my current clientele is their passion and work ethic. Oh, and their gorgeous books!
• What I want most for any client is creative fulfillment.

Lauren On Life

• If I weren't an agent, I'd probably be a writer. Which I already am! ;)

• My favorite (non-client) book is Dumplin'. For now. Ask me again in ten minutes.

• Secretly, I'm terrified of grammatical errors in a tweet.

• Sometimes, when no one is around, I dance in my living room. Sometimes I do it when people are around, too.

• My favorite drink is Ramos Gin Fizz.

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