March lasted for absolutely freaking ever. ಠ_ಠ
It’s simultaneously been the most exciting month and one of the most stressful, and I genuinely am exhausted. Utterly EXHAUSTED. 2020 needs to sit down and take a nap and come back when it has a better attitude, because wow, the world is toppling into devastation with COVID-19. I feel guilty for actually having good news to share this month when so many are suffering. But also it’s important to cling fast to the good things too?!
But first: I hope you’re all staying home (if you can) and being safe. Mental health is definitely taking a beating this month, so I feel for all of us smothered with anxiety too. Australia isn’t too badly affected right now (so grateful) but our shelves are bare, our lockdown measures are extremely strict (people are being fined $1000 for social gatherings and standing too close together), and borders are closed. Gah, just hope it works and soon. Very ready for this tragedy to be over. (Though I have to admit lockdown life is just…my life as is. I don’t really, er, leave the house anyway? 👀)
But I have good news too…🥺
I’ve officially signed with a new literary agent! YOU BETTER BELIEVE I CANNOT STOP SMILING. I’m now represented by Tara Gilbert of Corvisiero Literary! Tara’s love and vision for my writing is just filling my heart and I’m super excited for everything we have planned. We have a lot planned. I’m about to launch into edits for my next contemporary (this one darker and more whimsical than the others). And, look, I haven’t felt this encouraged and motivated about my writing in so so long!! 😍🥰😘😚
I’ve also been shortlisted for the CBCA Book of The Year Award!
Which is honestly mind blowing and such an honour. The Boy Who Steals Houses is being loved and recognised so much, I’m totally overwhelmed and grateful. (And it also got its first translation deal this month!! I’ll give details when I can.)
TBWSH is also turning 1 on the 4th of April. 😍 Baby is a year old! Ahhhh.
I will likely do a Q&A on instagram, and some sort of sappy post here. 😂 Because a year!!!!
I think I said something hopeful about March being for writing? So cute. 😂 But I had reasons to be distracted! I went back to querying in January and it has honestly been the most stressful time of my life. I don’t think I slept for 3 months. So while I didn’t launch into my new WIP in March, I still managed to write a 20,000 word outline! I was going to dive into that for Camp NaNo, but now I have edits. I HAVE EDITS! I am so excited to do edits!!!! Just leave me in my little nerd corner here okay.
- I celebrating getting an agent with eating ice cream so I think that counts as writing.
- It was really satisfying to write a very detailed outline again — I pantsed my last two books and it was stressful and I gnashed my teeth and I really prefer plotting.
- The edits I’m heading into will include a lot of book surgery. I’ve gone into deep edits feeling overwhelmed and despondent that I “didn’t get it right” before. But this time? I’m actually excited. I can feel how much better the book is going to be and it’s making my heart leap.
I still read 16 books this month, but also feel like I was a total lazed potato?! It was either reading a full book in a day or not reading for several days. We don’t do middle-ground here. We do drama and angst.
My library is obviously closed now too (because of COVID-19) and I’m really upset…no more reserves and snagging interesting looking books off the shelf on impulse. 😭 I still can use the online library but I prefer physical books. But I managed to borrow out a lovely stack on the last day at least! And it’s not like I dON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO READ IN MY ROOM. #selfburn
(all covers link to goodreads)
BOOKS BOUGHT…
From library
FOR REVIEW…
Vote and help meeeee!
because I have a lot to read (most of the review-copies are unsolicited!) and I’m very grateful but also overwhelmed? 😂
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Here are my reading highlights of February!
The Name Of All Things // absolutely my favourite of the month! 😍And this series is fast fighting for “best of the year” category too because it’s just SO GOOD. It’s adult fantasy and has intricately complex backstory and world-building. But I’m just obsessed with the characters and the magic system. And it’s unapologetically queer. 🥺 Love.
Chosen // This is the sequel to Slayer, which I loved a lot last year! And this? SO FUN. It’s like a comfortable paranormal read (seriously Supernatural as well as Buffy fans need this) and it’s has the best group squad and banter. And also little bit o’ murder.
The Henna Wars // Oh I LOVED this! An #ownvoices contemporary about a Bangladeshi teen who starts a henna business, but two other girls in her class compete for clients and it’s a nuanced and excellent discussion on cultural appropriation. Also rivals-to-lovers f/f romance! Plus the BEST SISTER BONDS I’ve read for ages!
Woven In Moonlight // An #ownvoices Bolivian inspired fantasy that was just so much fun! Vigilante and royalty story lines aaaand enemies-to-lovers. 😚I also loved the magic system (she weaves and it comes to life) and there’s a cute baby sloth.
Suggested Reading // Absolutely ADORED this book. It had such a phenomenal discussion on book banning, and shows different sides. Plus the power of books, how even readers can be judgemental and fjkdslad just so so good. The characters weren’t very dimensional is my only comment.
The Sleeper And the Spindle // I really love fractured fairy tales, and this is just a 92-page story, but it’s illustrated and LOVE the expressions so much. Basically a queen goes to wake a princess with true love’s kiss, and basically the ending was perfect. She was so done 😂
My Life As A Potato // super cute MG read that was just wholesome and adorkable. Pretty romance focused, but like SO CUTE and had messages on friendship and being true to your own weird self. Also so many potatoes, clearly.
Iphigenia Murphy // this had a really literary style to it, and such heartbreak themes of homelessness and abuse. It really breaks you, but also rebuilds you. About the missing girls that no one looks for. 💔
Other Books I read
how are you fairing with the lockdown? and is anyone writing for Camp NaNo? tell me books you’ve bought/borrowed/been gifted lately!!!
Congratulations on such an awesome month! We’re in locked down here as well but like you I didn’t really leave the house, except for work but now they’re letting me do that from home which I feel is an absolute win!
I hope your April is just as good!
I’m going more than a little stir crazy! I mean not much has changed, I do usually spend a lot of time watching Netflix and reading but I miss my friends and I’m not looking forward to potentially six months of not being able to see them. I don’t know if I’m going to write for Camp NaNoWriMo, I’m not really feeling in a writing mood at the moment, stressing about the state of the world isn’t exactly conducive to writing. I have a preorder of the latest Skulduggery Pleasant book arriving tomorrow, so I’m excited for that.
I am so happy for you for your new agent!! Yay!
About the lockdown… well…it doesn’t change anything for me? x) Not going out and avoiding human interactions at all costs? Well, I was doing that before it was the trend lol. Anyway, glad to know that you’re doing ok!
An agent just called your writing “the perfect blend of Patrick Ness and Maggie Stiefvater”. Surely that must be the pinnacle of your career!
Since lockdown I’ve been really getting into the epic fantasy series. My library’s obviously closed too though and I’m slowly running out of good books 🙁
Jenn Lyons’ books and the Witcher both look great. I can’t wait to read them.
A perfect blend of Patrick Ness and Maggie Stiefvater… that must have MADE your year!!! 🙂
So excited to read your next book xxx
Congratulations and I can’t wait to read your next book 🙂
Woah wait that painting-comes-to-life-and-now-murder book sounds AMAZING!!! Super excited for you!!!
And congrats on being so far ahead in your reading challenge! (I’m six/seven books behind, which is kind of a first for me……… ughghghghhghghghghhhghh) BUT SERIOUSLY 51 BOOKS IS AMAZING! (especially with all this craziness which is wHy I cAnT pAy AtTeNtIoN tO aNyThInG)
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS TBWSH IS A YEAR OLD I MUST DO A REREAD YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS seriously I love all your writing (that I’ve read and I’m 324679% sure I’ll like whatever else you put out there)
I hope your April is gREAT!
Congrats on signing with a new literary agent and being shortlisted for the CBCA book of the year award – that’s incredible! <3
I'm so sad libraries are closed. I used to basically live in the library. XD Luckily I had books out before it closed!!
Here's hoping that April is better than March! Stay safe and well! <3
Congrats on the writing success! I think I’m doing okay with the lockdown because I’m antisocial and lazy. I’m happy to sit around and read all day.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW AGENT!!!! You definitely deserved that ice cream 🎉
I’m so glad you had some happy things happen this month! Honestly despite all the stressful happenings in March, I actually got some sleep due to the lockdown and I feel so awake. Getting more than three hours of sleep has actually decreased my stress levels quite a lot, haha.
I only read A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi this month, so unfortunately I didn’t get much reading done (I technically started two books, but one is unfinished because it’s like 1200 pages lol). But I did enjoy A Crown of Wishes! The food descriptions and settings were amazing!
Also Happy almost-Birthday to TBWSH!! 🎈 I just bought an ebook and I’m so excited to read it! (I’ve been meaning to read it for a year now, but I wanted to be able to read it in a time where I was less busy. Now’s the perfect time!)
I hope you have a wonderful April!
Congratulations on the new literary agent and the award! That’s so exciting!!! You deserve it.
Am I ready for Camp NaNoWriMo? Hahahaha! No. I just started a new novel, but it needs an outline, so I am in no way ready to start writing the rough draft. I am having fun with character development, though!
Congratulations on the new agent! We need more of your books in the world. I’m also sad about the libraries closing but I get why they have too, this is a situation that proves why having a physical tbr is a good idea
I am SO happy for you for the award nomination and the new agent deals! You CAN do this! I’m sure your readers will be anxiously awaiting what comes next!
Congratulations on your new agent! And happy birthday to your book!! My library closed as well and I am really struggling 😅 (even though I own about 300 books…) I’ve bought 5 books on amazon this week, it’s starting to be a problem! I am doing camp nano for the first time in a while writing a YA contemporary and I’m so excited!
I’m very intrigued by your new book. And what!?! She compared you to Maggie? How does that feel?
Good news is VERY important right now. Congrats on getting a new agent!
I tried to return my library books… one day after the library had closed. On the bright side, more time to read, and they’re waving any fines generated during this time (thank God).
CONGRATS ON A NEW AGENT!! Yay thats so exciting and cool! also nominated for an award… yessss major cool points #excitedforyou. Also Winter Duke looks fabulous and I really wish I had a copy RIGHT NOW! Also I am an endless fan of The Winners Curse Series and need The Midnight lie like yesterday. Woven in moonlight and Chosen r also books I need in my life right now… especially because i really enjoyed Slayer a couple year back!! Great wrap up hope April brings even BETTER reads 😉
Congrats on the new agent! That’s awesome news!! Question: did/do you, as an Aussie author, have a particular process (or advice!) for researching and selecting agents to query? The industry is obviously fairly limited here in Aus, so looking overseas makes sense…but I feel like it’s still important to find someone familiar/sensitive to stories set here (and authors from here). I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on that!
Anyway, best of luck for a productive April, and I hope you and your family take care in these strange times!! 😊
Congrats on the new agent! That’s amazing :))
I’m usually the first to sign up for Camp Nano and write approximately zero words (well who am I kidding that’s not an approximation it’s an exact figure) but for some reason I’ve refrained this year, I’m currently working on an application for a young writer’s program I was waitlisted for last year and I will probably end up doing some writing since I’m stuck at home anyway but my mind is weird recently… I was in self isolation for a week before NZ went into lockdown so I haven’t been out and about or seen anyone in so long but I’m just really hoping it’s over soon and while it’s nice to be at home I also miss a lot of things that I can’t do rn? Like we have geese, chickens, and quails at a holiday house but can’t visit them due to the travel restrictions. I hope you’re doing well and it’s really exciting about your writing, that blurb sounds absolutely amazing and can’t wait to read something a lil darker!!
Congratulations Cait!! I am so happy for you! And yes, I think we all need positive news and celebrations to remind us of the good in the world.
Congrats on the new agent!
I’m looking forward to reading more books by you.
We’re not friends, but we talked a bit a couple years back when your Instagram wasn’t as popular and you haven’t announced your book deals yet, so I feel as proud as a friend would. 🙂
Good luck with your author journey!
Congratulations on your new agent!!! I’m so excited for you!
The Henna Wars has such a cute cover and premise! Once the library opens back up I’ll have to go grab a copy. I read Don’t Read the Comments last month and really enjoyed it!! It’s really sweet and pure but also has a good message.
Congrats on all the exciting things that happened to you this month!! I, for one, am looking forwards to more books you put out 🙂
Quarantine life has been . . . fine I guess. My university closed, so I moved back home and am taking online classes. I was homeschooled though, so it’s pretty much like before I went away to school, which I don’t mind.
Have a great April!
Congratulations on your new agent, can’t wait to read whatever you come up with next!
Lockdown has given me some time to rest, and it’s nice to be able to spend more time with my family, but it’s also very stressful learning new material for classes on my own. Hopefully April gets better?
Congrats, Cait! I had no idea you were querying again, but delighted that you’ve come out the other side of the tunnel with a renewed writing inspiration!
I’m probably drowning in my books to read at the moment. No *new* books of course (I’m notorious for always being behind on my reading) apart from Seasons of War by Derek Landy, but lots of books I bought with money that would’ve gone onto my bus far for the weeks I’m working from home 😛 I’m also tearing apart my writing. Or trying to. It breaks my little heart, and always reminds me how wonderful a writer you are 🙂
I am so glad you had something good this month! I can’t wait until we know more about your next book!! Congratulations on the new agent and on the new book!! It IS very exciting and I’m glad you get something happy during this madness.
Thank you, Gissel!! This is just so so kind!!💛💛hope you’re staying safe and well too.
AH CAIT congratulations on getting a new agent, so happy for you and getting shortlisted for the awards AH THIS IS SO EXCITING. You’re so right, even if things are weird and complicated and kind of terrible, it’s important to cling on the positive news and I’m so happy you’re sharing this. It warms my heart, really. <3 I'm so happy <3
I'm so happy you liked The Henna Wars ahh this book sounds lovely 🙂
I wish you all the best in April, take care of yourself <3
Oh my word!!!! Cait!!!! Congratulations on the literary agent!!! I am SO happy for you! *gives you cookies and cake in celebration* And ASDFGHJKL OH MY *GOODNESS* YOUR NEW BOOK SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING??? I need this. I need this NOW. XD
And AWWWW!! TBWSH is turning 1??? Goodness, it doesn’t feel like it’s been out that long. This is crazy. XD But CONGRATULATIONS and you should 10/10 reward yourself for birthing such an amazing child. XD (I still have yet to get my hands on a copy, but IT WILL HAPPEN and I am extremely excited about it!!!)
CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING AN AGENT!! I’m so excited for you! I’m glad things have been going well for you!
Also, thank you for alerting me to the existence of The Sleeper and the Spindle. I live for gay fairy tales.
Ugghhh… I can’t stand the fact that the virus is affecting everything. I just hope that it dies down soon. Congrats on getting a new agent for your books! Good luck on your new books!
I’m so glad you have all this good news! Congrats on an agent and exciting new projects and all of the recognition TBWSH is getting, that’s fantastic! March has been a shitty month for a lot of people (myself included), so I’m really glad that you’ve had good things to celebrate. 🙂
Aww, congrats Cait!
I cannot wait for your next work, since it’s totally my kind of bookish stuff!
So yes, go on and celebrate with all the ice cream. And all the cookies. I’ve been baking myself, closed in the house because of the virus, but… am I losing my touch? It was all kinda of a mess.
Anyway, as someone who lives in Italy, and even if you wrote that your life is now exactly putting you on high risk, please take care. My country suffered greatly and… it just happened.
First, I know I have said so already, but it bears repeating- CONGRATULATIONS, I am so happy for you! Especially because like, I was already following your new agent so she has to be great? Or something less narcissistic. Regardless, I think it will be an AMAZING match which is good because look, I was downright SPOILED the last two years, getting one of your books in each of them. And now, I need MORE. MORE MORE MORE. Which leads me to my next congratulations, on your being nominated for an award!! You SO deserve it. I LOVE TBWSH so much, and therefore it is zero percent surprising that others do too (again, or something less narcissistic but the point stands that the book is awesome and so are you.)
Also, I voted for Burn, because i know I won’t get to it til next month and I am dying to know how it is! But I could easily get behind The Dark Tide, because ditto. Also, I am SO glad that Australia is taking this so seriously and not being total asshats like the US. Ah, the US, defying Darwinism since 2016 (or earlier, tbh).
That is exciting to hear that you have an new agent who believes in your work. Congrats to you 🙂 I so wantto read The Henna Wars, it sounds enjoyable.
Yup, it’s definitely important to stick with the good things. So I’m very happy about your good news 🙂
I feel the same about the house leaving bit. I also rarely leave, so for me it’s mostly business as usual, although it did take some getting used to in certain other ways. Like visiting my family. Or seeing my cat T_T
I’m so excited about all your new books though 🙂 I really am holding all my fingers and toes crossed! So happy to hear about your new agent. Also that tweet! That story sounds awesome :O also, THE DARKNESS. The Secret History much? (I don’t know, I somehow got that feel from that tweet and the mood board!)
OMG congrats on the shortlist!
By the way. Do you have any good gluten free cookie recipes. Or just gluten free ANYTHING. If yes, please send, thx 😀 cause I know you might have them. I’m struggling to find good ones.
I’ve actually gone with Scribd in this past month and I’ve really enjoyed it! Re: library being closed. I think I might even stay with it.
Also Henna Wars looks absolutely amazing, I’ve seen some good reviews lately 🙂
CONGRATS on your good book neeeeeews! And my deepest condolences on not being able to frequent the library and make off with stacks of fresh reads. I’m in that same boat; my sorrow is endless.