where deadly meets fabulous
I received several notices about webinars offering ‘exclusive’ access to literary agents in my email this week. I’m not sure whether to be excited—or irritated. When I was fourteen my mother made me an appointment to see a modeling agent. The agent’s name was Dyan and after taking my photo and measurements she apparently decided that […]
Read MoreBecause sending emails with missing attachments, pocket updating my Facebook status with such as gems as ‘Jackie is slkdjfsldf’ and broken links on my LinkedIn account weren’t enough I have recently been introduced to a whole new arena of potentially damaging electronic embarrassment: the query letter. Misspelling agency names, classifying my work in the wrong […]
Read MoreI used to think that, querying was like that time I went to a wedding in mom’s Fluevogs and got a matching set of oozy, cheese-grader blisters on my heels ten minutes into the ceremony: painful, but endurable (with enough complimentary champagne). I was wrong. Apparently, a more appropriate metaphor would be if I had followed […]
Read MoreCongrats to me. Like some angry bird with a hate on for smirking pigs, I have just launched yet another manuscript (my third) into the publishing stratosphere. And it was not easy. Sure, there was a lot of work involved–especially when combined with my many new mommy duties–but that really wasn’t the hardest part. The hardest part for me: […]
Read MoreOUCH! My first proper publisher rejection! After telling me that my story was compelling, said publisher, who I will not name specifically (except to say that they are often eaten by killer whales and march in a waddling-like fashion) gave it a pass. I know, I know, writers have to have a tough skin blah […]
Read MoreRecently, agent (and yes, writing that phrase still makes me feel all special and bubbly inside) asked me to put together bio. And I must say, so far the task has proved even more challenging than writing the 58 000 manuscript it is supposed to be promoting. What makes a great author bio? What makes […]
Read MoreYay for me! My manuscript revisions–which took me about three months to complete and involved reworking practically every damn paragraph in what I now call the BEASTIE–have been accepted by my agent. I think her exact words were ‘excellent and stunning’. Okay, I maybe those weren’t exact words, but they were definitely good ones, which […]
Read MorePublishing a book is no straightforward feat. Thus far in the process, I have a) produced a manuscript b) secured an agent and am c) still totally full of questions. Yesterday I received an email from said agent acknowledging receipt of my revised manuscript; however, I did not receive any response to my most pressing question: What […]
Read MoreIf you’ve checked the website of a literary agent or publishing house lately, you may have noticed that most of them make a point to warn prospective authors to expect an exceedingly lengthy response time. They never say exactly how long, but if you have recently sent off your manuscript, be prepared for endless hours […]
Read MoreSave Changes? Yup, don’t mind if do. And so it was with a deep sigh of relief that I did my last spell check and finally concluded that my manuscript was ready to Go Out in the World–leaving me to sit back, relax, and catch up on season two of True Blood. I mean, surely after […]
Read MoreThe Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards Blog
#kathenaskloset
Book reviews, the occasional rant, and more
Rachel Rueben: The Publishing Blogger & Author
