Writing what calls to you + Grants, Resources, & Anticipated Books
Listening to the call of a project; copyright intro; grants resource; writing newsletters; anticipated 2022 books; author obits; awards; sweet potato chai
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Greetings readers & writers,
The calendar year is coming to a close and it’s a time that feels both rushed and languid. I usually do my most personal reflections/resolving in the fall, at the turn of the Jewish New Year, but while early autumn is an open door beckoning me into the next season, December, especially this one, is like reaching the end of a long, dim hall. There’s a door at the end but it’s closed, and it almost feels like too much effort to try to open it, when I know only a cold, indifferent January waits on the other side.
But something surprised me this month. A book idea. An idea that’s shocking to me in that it’s arrived almost fully formed, but not in a genre I’m widely read in, nor one I’ve ever written in. I’m not even sure my agent represents this category. I mostly gravitate towards moody, atmospheric writing; this book is trying its darnedest to be lighthearted, even with a *gasp* happy ending. And strangest of all, it contains no magic or ghosts or robots whatsoever.
But despite all the flaws of this plan (no magic?? really??) the idea won’t leave me alone. I’ve written most of an outline which I also almost never do. I’ve started researching the source material (it’s a re-telling). I’ve written 7,000 words. But most importantly, I’ve wanted to sit down and work on this almost daily. Like, instead of watching TV or sleeping. Because it’s fun.
My inner writer critic keeps whispering frivolous, frivolous, this isn’t going anywhere, this isn’t you, you can’t write this, do you even really like this? My inner marketing critic worries is this the kind of book that fits your brand? How would you market this? You want to be known for speculative fiction, remember? Shouldn’t you be working on more things like Ghost Roads? Then the writing critic chimes in again: yes, remember? that book no one is clambering for?
Honestly, it’s been hard to work on much of anything with these two little demons arguing in my head and just, you know, life being what it is right now. So, if this nascent idea is getting me writing and making me enjoy the work, as implausible as it seems, I’ll take it. And even if it goes nowhere, even if I decide in two months that it’s not for me and I reach for the next, shiny thing in the brain vault, this new project still has woken something up. It’s revealed a sliver of light peeking through from under that door into 2022.
May the New Year bring you something fresh, surprising, and hopeful.
ICYMI: Most Popular Issues of Books, Marketing, & More from 2021
Writing/Marketing Resources:
Valerie Valdes discusses the power of writing in second person as a marginalized writer {SFWA Blog}
An engaging introductory video on copyright from the Library of Congress and the National Book Festival.
Funds for Writers is an extensive website that provides information on creative writing grants, markets, and contests.
Looking to get more great writing tips in your inbox? Substack has compiled a list of some of the top paid newsletters on writing and publishing (they also have free versions as well — I’m subscribed to Agents & Books and Werk-in-Progress!)
The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is – it’s to imagine what is possible.
—bell hooks, Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations
Reading Corner
This time of year, you can’t go anywhere book-related on the web without hitting a “Most Anticipated” list for 2022. So many amazing things! I like this list of 65 most anticipated fiction/essay books from Bustle because it checks a lot of boxes for me — literary fiction! speculative fiction! YA! new authors! sequels!
What books are you looking forward to in 2022?
Industry News
The Hugo Awards were announced earlier this month at the 79th World Science Fiction Convention. Martha Wells both Best Series and Best Novel for her (fantastic!) Murderbot Diaries and it’s latest addition, Network Effect.
Groundbreaking feminist activist and writer, bell hooks, passed away this month at age 69. {Elle}
Anne Rice, famed author of Interview with a Vampire and other gothic novels, passed away at age 80. {NPR)
Reading Rainbow is getting a relaunch!! {BookRiot}
Trump campaign aide Sergio Gior and Donald Trump Jr. have launched their own publishing house, Winning Team Press {Politico} which is launching a book of photographs from the Trump presidency, as part of a trend of conservatives finding alternative ways to publish in light of push back from traditional publishers.
Tea
As part of a gift exchange I received this beautiful mug (with a pocket for your tea bag!) and delicious Piper & Leaf Sweetie Pie Chai from Brookline Booksmith. This herbal tisane is warm, spicy, and savory with tulsi, chai spices, and sweet potato?! It takes honey well and is the perfect nourish drink on a cold winter morning.
Stay warm. Read a book you love and share it with a loved one. Take 10 minutes to take action. And if the writing calls to you, write it and have fun!
~Allison
Writer & Marketing Coach
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With this newsletter, I finally broke the ice on Substack. Five minutes ago I was "What exactly is Substack?" Most appreciate the fundforwriters link and now want that mug.