Spring is sproinging!

Well. It’s likely a false spring, but I’ll take joy in it anyway. There’s been warmth and sunshine, and the days are longer, and I saw the first flower on the forsythia. So that’s something, at least.

News

The most consequential news since my last update is also less-than-ideal. Readers may remember that last year, my agent of 12 years decided to leave agenting to pursue other creative endeavors. (I had in fact seen this coming a long way off; I wished and continue to wish him nothing but the best!) Initially, he passed me over to his boss, and while we had a lovely initial conversation, she ultimately decided, after reading some of Shattered Souls, that we’re not going to be a good fit. This is a bummer, but it’s also a thing that happens in this industry. I know plenty of other authors who’ve had agent shifts midway through their careers.

So what does this mean? Well, it’s back to the query trenches with me. And that means I’m going to need a slightly different manuscript than if I were handing it straight to an agent who already knows me and was committed to an editorial round before going on sub. So I’m doing some more revisions now, and then I’m going to have Cameron Montague Taylor, who was my amazing editor for The Bloodstained Shade, do a manuscript evaluation and talk me through a some considerations (including whether I’ve actually written the first two books of a trilogy rather than the first book of a duology, and thus could split it apart and query one reasonable-sized book rather than a monster with a terrifying word count).

All of that, though, will take a few months. It means the whole process of trying to get Shattered Souls out in the world will be longer, but I’m glad to at least have a plan of attack.

Okay. On to fun stuff!

Back in January, Worldbuilding for Masochists had the magnificent opportunity to do a crossover episode with the folks at SFF Addicts, talking about talking about writing. That is, how writers can talk about their own work. We covered a variety of ways that happens: social media, marketing, panels at conventions and conferences, tabling at events, and so forth. It was such a wonderful conversation — we were laughing so much. And since SFF Addicts is a video-enabled podcast, you can actually watch us if you so desire!

I’ve been told we’re very expressive.

And speaking of the podcast…

If you’re someone who can nominate for the Hugo Awards, your opportunity to do so ends on March 28th!

We are once again eligible for Best Fancast, so if you have Hugo nomination privileges, help us make it on the fFinalist list for the 6th year in a row!

Upcoming Events

It’s a little hard to believe, but RavenCon in Richmond, VA is next month! I’ll be there April 24-26. This one is super-exciting because my friend K.B. Wagers is one of the Guests of Honor! Schedule still TBD, but there were some really interesting items on the potential programming list that I’d very much like to be on, so I’m looking forward to finding out what I get.

And then immediately after that, I’m headed out to California for the first time ever! I’m attending the Encounter at Twin Suns event that’s being run by some excellent Starcruiser folk. I’m thoroughly excited to spend a weekend just playing, with no other responsibilities.

What I’ve Been Reading

• A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

• The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

• Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame by Neon Yang

• A Bitter Cut by Anna Lee Huber

• A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

• Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

• The Nameless Land by Kate Elliott

• Paladin’s Grace, Paladin’s Strength, Paladin’s Hope, and Paladin’s Faith by T. Kingfisher

Wrapping It Up

And that’s about it for now! I’m going to be spending a lot of time with my head down over the Shattered Souls manuscript between now and the start of the camp season so that it’s ready to hand off to my editor, and by the time I get it back, camp will be over and I’ll have my bandwidth replenished. So — to the work! And may the start of spring treat you very well.