This Week, I'm Writing...

Some big news about changes afoot!

A few weeks ago, I went to a former colleague’s retirement party and ran into many old friends I’d taught with during my 18 years at Quinnipiac University, among them the wonderful poet Kaye McDonough. When I told her the writing news I’m about to share with you, she held up her hands and turned her head away and said something to the effect of, “Don’t talk it out of existence!” I knew just what she meant.

We writers are a superstitious lot, and we all know it’s bad luck to talk about a work in progress. Sometimes talking (or writing) about a thing that’s growing and taking on life in your head or in your private study deflates it. Sometimes it kills it outright. So, you’ll forgive me if I’m very careful here. I want to share what I’m working on with you, but not too much—not because I’m being coy or prickly but because it’s still nascent and somewhat fragile. Nevertheless, its creation affects Better Book Clubs.

Some of you may have read the back story about my first novel and my first agent. The bottom line is that for nine years after that, I was without an agent, which poses quite a barrier for anyone who wants to write and publish full-length work. Yes, you can self-publish, but that requires you to become a business owner, and it is very, very difficult to do successfully, especially if you have a day job. So, I am thrilled to announce that, after nine years and two or three (depending on how you count them) unsold manuscripts, I have finally signed with a new agent, and she has sold my next book. It’s non-fiction, so it was sold on the strength of a proposal, and I’m writing it now.

Fear of a jinx is already breathing over my shoulder. I can see Kaye cringing. I think that’s all I’m going to say for the moment. The manuscript isn’t due until March of 2026, and the book won’t be out until 2027, so there’s plenty of time to tell you more as I go. What it’s important for you to know now is that I am busy at work on a new book, and that means a few things for Better Book Clubs, at least for the next 11 months:

• I plan to continue posting what I’m reading every Wednesday, but because a lot of it is for my research, it could become monotonous for all of you without some guests! So, please, reach out any time you’d like to share a paragraph on what you’re reading that week. The offer is genuine and open to all.

• I plan to continue posting on Sundays as well, but many of the posts will be shorter and simpler because I need to devote more time to my project. I’m imagining the Sunday posts as falling into four categories:

  • Writer at Work: A photo with a quick blurb on something interesting I was working on that week, probably related to my research.

  • Bluelines: A short piece on how the publishing industry works from the inside. (I’ll explain the title of this one another time.)

  • A longer piece as of yore when I have something to say about reading in general and feel compelled to write it for you.

  • A guest post. If you have some ruminations to share that you think will be of interest to Better Book Clubs readers, please reach out and tell me your idea. It shouldn’t be a promotion of your work, though I’m happy to include a link to something you’ve published in a little author’s bio at the end.

That’s all the news for today! I promise to say more when the right time comes, but for now, I hope you’ll continue to travel with me on this evolving journey that is Better Book Clubs.

Kathy