There’s nothing like your body going into active revolt to force you to stop and smell the roses. Yeah, we’ll call it that. I’ll spare you the gruesome and grody details, but suffice it to say that I am on the mend, albeit slowly. Per my out of office message, I’m officially back at my desk on 11 April 2022 but I’ll be available to current clients and select others. Why? I am blessed with the most amazing clients I could imagine!! The grace, care, kindness, and love have been overwhelming in the best way.
But it’s also because I am a long-time adherent of Shine Theory. My work isn’t just about commas and subject/verb agreement; it’s about making a commitment to knowledge and its producers. As you know, I’m very clear that I work exclusively with feminists, queer people, and people of the global majority because we/they have been most marginalized in publishing. I’m only one person, but I’m committed to helping make a difference and help change the dynamics.
There are many exciting things underway at Formore Editorial!! For the first time this year, my inbox has been archived (per my OOO message), save current client work. Do you know the joy that accompanies a clearing of the inbox? Spring is here and Passover is upon us, so it’s a great time to think about clearing out the clutter and the space that you occupy. I find that it gives me the room to grow — I hope it does for you, too!
But without further adieu: Anastasia Curwood’s forthcoming biography of Shirley Chisholm is out in the fall! UNC Press was smart enough to pick up this book in its infancy — and it will be an outstanding addition to your library, classroom, personal collection, and anywhere you and books meet. As soon as preorders are available, you’ll hear it here so stay tuned.
But it’s also the Golden Anniversary of Chisholm’s momentous run for POTUS under the slogan “Unbought and Unbossed” — and we need this history now more than ever. So let’s all invoke Chisholm’s grit and grace as we witness Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s ascent to the Supreme Court. But let’s never forget that Chisholm, Brown Jackson, and Black women generally long have been subjected to a public abuse that would never be acceptable for anyone else. If you — like me — want to let the Judiciary Committee know how you feel about the way Judge Brown Jackson was treated and that you support her nomination, please give them a call: 202-224-3121. It’s what Shirley would do!
(Well, Shirley would have called out those shenanigans as they were happening, but that’s a different story.)
It’s full-on spring here in Huntsville, AL. And for me, that’s good “porch sit and read” weather. My book stack is tall and here’s what’s on top:
Dawnie Walton, The Final Revival of Opal and Nev. I’ve read it before but the new cover for the paperback makes me want to read it again! If you haven’t read it, please do yourself a favor and get into it.
Lynn Melnick, Refusenik. Feminist poetry rocks. Check out “Foremothers” on page 14 — when you get to the final stanza, you simply will not see the world in the same way — but the whole collection is chef’s-kiss perfection!
Dear Freedom Writer: Stories of Hardship and Hope from the Next Generation. As a former professor with the explicit goal of teaching as community and liberation, I am always excited to hear from young people. I actually won an advance copy in a Goodreads giveaway and as soon as it arrived, I started reading and writing in the margins (yes, I really do that — the horror!!). It’s honest, refreshing, deep, and hopeful, but it is also an important reminder that we must listen to young people if we want change in our world.
Amy Bloom, In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss. Jeanette Winterson famously opened her novel Written on the Body with the question “Why is the measure of love loss?” Bloom doesn’t answer but she responds with a memoir of her husband’s end of life and how love knows no bounds. Like Truvy, “laughter through tears is my favorite emotion” and this book is delivering it.
What are you reading? What’s on your TBR book stack?
Next month is the Women’s National Book Association — SF Chapter’s Virtual Pitch-o-Rama! Get coaching on your pitches, meet agents, possibly get signed — and you’ll get great feedback!!! It’s not free ($65 for members, $95 for nonmembers) but it is a wonderful experience for many authors. If you’re at the stage where you’re ready to pitch your book, go check out who is participating. There’s something for everyone.
It’s also a great time to let you know the most important part of agenting: your agent should be your biggest advocate and cheerleader in the marketplace. That’s what an agent does.
Rejection hurts, especially after an agent asks for your full manuscript. But if an agent is worth their salt, they will give you important and usable feedback, even if they reject the opportunity to represent your book. Even more, they are doing you a favor: they don’t think they can do the best job for you. So cry — rejection hurts — and then let’s talk about agenting. I’ve helped several authors craft excellent and successful proposals and I’d love to help you put together your pitch and proposal.
(Another freebie: please do not mass-pitch agents. Do your homework and be mindful about who you are querying. Let an agent know why they are on your radar and why you should be on theirs. It takes time, like all good things, but the results will be worth the effort.)
If you know me IRL, you know I’m mildly (wildly) obsessed with TikTok — but let me tell you why.
First, #Booktok is HUGE! Booktokers (teehee — “book tokers”) are authors, readers, editors, and more — and they offer insights, previews, and honest reviews. I follow folks who read diversely and I get to hear about books I wouldn’t normally seek out in the store.
I love hearing and seeing clips from events or talks that I didn’t see originally but can now go find. Here’s one from Ted Talks — did YOU know the background of Hollywood’s The Black List? I didn’t, but because of TikTok, I do now. And I’m fascinated!! This is how we move from “knowledge is power” (it isn’t) to “the ability to act on knowledge is power” and I’m here for that messaging. In that framing, collaboration makes even more sense and offers even more possibility for the people.
Younger politicians are taking to the ‘Tok to get their message to younger voters. This kind of “go where the people are” is something we need now more than ever in our political culture and practices. And that serves as a reminder that we all need to go where the people are and listen to what the people need. I’m not a paid political consultant, but if anyone were to hire me to do so, getting on the ‘Tok would be one of the first things we would do.
#NurseTok is up in arms around the RaDonda Vaught trial and verdict. Sentencing is scheduled for May 13 in Nashville and nurses are planning to don scrubs and show up in full force. Not a nurse? Show up with ANYTHING showing your support for Vaught and this miscarriage of justice.
Now why would a book editor care about this case? I have dear friends who are nurses. But it’s not about them: Think about any time you’ve ever needed a nurse to help you ease physical or emotional pain, get orders, push medication or get your labs in an emergent situation when time isn’t on your side, or care for you. Now hear that nurse say “No.” Because that’s what’s going to happen as a result of this verdict.
Did you go to #AWP? I didn’t make it to PHL in spite of the fact that it is one of my favorite cities! I love the neighborhoods, the museums and galleries, the bookstores (so many bookstores!), and the people. But the food — oh my, that will get me to PHL anytime. If you went to AWP, lemme know how it went for you! What did you love? What did you miss? What do you want to continue? What could you do without?
Last bit of housekeeping: I’m migrating away from the Book of Face. You’ll find me on IG and Twitter (@FormoreEditing) and, well, here. So subscribe — it’s free — and get some insights from this side of the editor’s desk.
Let’s write!
XO, Stephanie