Jordan Hamessley
@thejordache
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Literary Agent at @awfulagent specializing in Picture books through YA. Musical theater nerd. - she/her/hers -
SoCal, CA
Joined January 2009
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Pinned Tweet
I'm going to close to queries at the end of the week (8/23) to catch up on my existing requests and unread submissions. Hoping to reopen post-Labor Day!
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My statement on my departure from New Leaf Literary & Media.
Full text follows in the thread below.
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Spent my Thanksgiving having a baby. The family is deep in resting and snuggle mode so I’ll be around a little less for a few months.
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BIG NEWS!!!!
This is over a decade in the making and I’m so excited to work with
@jabbermaster
and the whole JABberwocky team.
Can’t wait to get to work! Let’s do this!
SQUEEEEEE!
@thejordache
has joined the JABberwocky team.
I’ve been a Jordan Hamessley fan for years, and not only because we can do the best a capella Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat together.
Have dreamt of this for a long time
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I had a pretty traumatic miscarriage last fall. Today would’ve been that baby’s due date. I don’t have anything profound to say. The last few months (and days) have been hard for many reasons, but today I’m sad in a different way. Just wanted to acknowledge that life for a beat.
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I saw
#LoveSimon
in a PACKED theater in Berkeley. During Simon's coming out scene to Abby, it was silent with a few sniffles. Then someone shouted "THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE!" and the audience erupted in cheers. The cheer that erupted when Blue was revealed was deafening.
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The last year has taken a significant toll on me. I had a really rough miscarriage right before this damn pandemic started and I’m still not over it. I’m so low. I’m sorry. But tonight I made myself take a walk to look at the perfect moon. Trying to focus on the small things.
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On a recent
@Majority54
episode
@JasonKander
said that in moments like this, there's no reason not to just show someone the video in question. We can't keep accepting answers like this. Hold these officials accountable.
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The news is out! I've joined the fantastic team at
@NewLeafLiterary
as an agent. I'm so excited to start working one-on-one with authors again. Find out a bit about me and what I'm looking for here:
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Publishing is an industry built on relationships. The editor/author, author/agent, sales rep/bookseller relationships are key to the book selling ecosystem.
Layoffs/restructures happen and it is awful, but it would be nice to respect those relationships when breaking the news.
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Preaching to the choir here, but I sure would love for publishing to figure out how to successfully publish lower YA about freshmen and sophomores in HS. Let's have some 14 and 15 yo POVs!
Editors, if you are trying to solve this problem, let me know! I've got something for you!
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Thanks for all the support and excitement today!
Editors! Let’s catch up! I already have clients brewing amazing things!
Querying peeps! Give me a couple weeks to get my existing list up to speed but then I am PUMPED to dive back into submissions!
BIG NEWS!!!!
This is over a decade in the making and I’m so excited to work with
@jabbermaster
and the whole JABberwocky team.
Can’t wait to get to work! Let’s do this!
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Last year I was proud to secure deals for many long-term clients for the first time, including multiple projects that evolved over the course of years. That’s the trust and long-term care I am committed to for my clients. I don’t give up.
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Thank you to everyone who has reached out these past few days following my sudden and unexpected departure from New Leaf Literary & Media. It was not my choice to leave, and I am heartbroken to learn that the publishing journeys of so many of my clients have been disrupted.
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I would not characterize my departure from New Leaf as amicable. I was not asked any questions about the current status of my clients’ submissions upon my exit. My contract and deal negotiation files were up to date.
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Now that I'm settling in at
@awfulagent
, I've set up my Query Manager page. This is the only way I am accepting queries moving forward. Please be sure to read the guidelines!
I'm excited to find new voices and creators!
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Do you know one of the many perks of working from the public library as a lit agent? (Aside from free wifi!)
I can search the catalog to see if a potential comp titleis on the shelves and walk over and grab it! I was reworking a pitch and had quick access to the comp books!
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My whole career I have sought to support authors and illustrators from underrepresented and historically disenfranchised groups knowing there are systemic, industry-wide challenges finding homes for these storytellers.
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After the year I've had, it feels very good to close a deal today.
Publishing might go quiet in December, but it looks like we're nearing a handshake on three deals as we finish out the week.
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I had no intention of ending my relationship with anyone on my list, and I would hope to resume things once I have found a new home. I do not begrudge anyone who seeks new representation elsewhere while I conduct my search. I will always support you as a friend and fan.
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Anyway, as a kid who didn’t grow up going to church all I knew was that Christmas involved Santa Claus and Jesus. Which resulted in me conflating the two.
So I drew Santa Claus crucified in a field of Christmas trees. Yup. Merry Christmas from me and crucified Santa.
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I guess that’s one way to deal with supply chain issues… With a $10 delivery charge to get a book on release day, any “savings” you get from Amazon are worthless.
If you have an indie bookstore near you, buy your books from them!
Well, I guess certain places have figured out how much we love getting books on release day and now started to surcharge for it.
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This week marks 5 years as an at
@NewLeafLiterary
. This year has been particularly special.
I sold projects that went on sub in 2019, 2020, and 2021! I sold debuts by clients who've been on my list for years. It was such a fulfilling year and I can't wait for 2023.
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This is an amazing thread. Grateful for
@CoryBooker
's courage in the hearings today.
I went to college with
@CoryBooker
. I was the editor of the Stanford Daily when he was president of the senior class. At the time, a college dean was busted taking video of female students as they changed clothes.
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Publishing is such a long game and so much comes down to the right person at the right time. Sometimes that editor email introducing themself and their wishlist results in a magical connection. The deals I've closed this week have really been examples of the perfect fit.
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Goodbye, Betsy DeVos. Goodbye to your transphobic and homophobic policies in our schools. Here’s to having someone in charge of our education system who actually knows about public schooling.
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I am so excited for
@isaacfitzy
’s THE PASSING PLAYBOOK!!! I’ve loved this book since it appeared in my queries and proud to have it be my first YA sale since joining
@NewLeafLiterary
! Yay for Isaac and
@ellencormier
!
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As an editor I was frequently asked about the sexuality of the authors of my queer books and never wanted to out anyone. As an agent, I've been point blank asked at the submission stage about the sexual and gender identities of my clients before the book is even read.
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Something to keep in mind when you are in the query trenches is that there are many queries I receive that are fantastic but just TOO close to projects I have in process with existing clients and I end up passing.
Keep going. You'll find the right match.
Spending the afternoon working through my overflowing query inbox and getting into my full requests. Hoping to find some gems!
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Christmas Eve story time!
When I was five I had an “audition” to be Santa’s Elf for a “Breakfast with Santa” event. Inexplicably the “audition” had an art component where I had to draw the true meaning of Christmas. Maybe they wanted art to decorate the event and used our art?
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I recently updated my bio and wishlist on the
@NewLeafLiterary
website. I've been here for three years and my list has grown a lot and now I'm trying to fill some holes and adjusting my needs! Give it a read and query if you think you are a fit!
#mswl
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I've spent the past year selling trans stories written by trans and NB authors to major publishers in both MG and YA. More announcements to come soon. Trans authors, please query me! I want your stories told by you to be the ones getting attention.
The fact that publishers continue to buy trans stories written by cis people while trans writers struggle to get through the gate is An OutrageTM so
Trans writers! Sound off and leave your links below! Everyone else, please help boost this post.
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There really is no feeling like finishing a client's revision in happy tears because they put in the work and took something to the next level. Also, because the ending is just perfect. My goodness, I love my clients.
*FYI, Broadway-loving YA editors, it's time to say hi. 👀
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The strawberry farm down the road sells chocolate covered strawberries in their drive-through farm stand. I sold a book this week. I earned my chocolate covered strawberry indulgence for the week. 😂
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One of the parts of agenting I love the most is building relationships with clients that allow moments of creative brainstorming to nudge something beautiful into the world. I always knew
@aj_irving
had this book in her.
So happy THE WISHING FLOWER is out in the world today.
THE WISHING FLOWER wouldn’t exist without
@thejordache
❤️ Honored to be featured in the
@sltrib
!!! In this interview,
@kipalizadeh
& I share behind the scenes of creating our queer girl picture book. 💛🌈🤍
@KidLitCollectiv
@PicBookJunction
@KnopfBFYR
@randomhousekids
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As of this moment, I am completely caught up on all of my queries and have hit Query Inbox Zero. I'm sure that will change in five minutes.
I'm going to be updating my bio and wishlist in the next week, so be on the lookout for that!
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The five-year-old won't go to sleep. She's sitting next to her lantern reading Pigeon books at the top of her lungs. Then knocking on her door for me to help her sound out words she doesn't know. I want her to sleep... but can't fault her for being a book nerd. 😂
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This just broke me. My five-year-old starts Kindergarten in a month and a half and I’m so sad that this is going to be her reality… and also terrified to send her to school.
I hate this so much.
The Active Shooter Training expert. This is not my America.
#MarchForOurLives
#GenerationLockdown
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Obviously my mom didn’t let me submit the drawing and destroyed he evidence. I think I ended up submitting a cotton ball snowman or something and ended up playing Santa’s Elf anyway... and got a quick explanation of how Santa and Jesus were NOT the same person.
The end.
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This week marks two years of agenting at
@NewLeafLiterary
! It’s flown by! So many clients and sales in the last two years and this past fall some of my first books sold were published. Today I got a galley of a book by the first client I signed! Lots to celebrate!
#amagenting
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I'm on sabbatical and trying my hardest to stay out of publishing news, but...
If a major retailer is suddenly not stocking MG hardcovers and wants to focus on paperbacks, that's a problem.
Especially as long as pubs use HC sales to determine what books even GET a PB release.
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I dipped into
#kidlitpit
briefly last night. If I liked your pitch, follow my Query Manager guidelines and include that I liked your pitch in your query. Good luck!
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It is 10:55pm and I just went into my toddler’s bedroom to find her naked and dancing. She shouted “I’m a feminist baby! I dance and say no to pants!” The power of picture books is magical. It is also keeping me awake. Taking this one out of the bedtime rotation for a while.
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Like many of my publishing colleagues, I am offering 5 30-min video calls for publishing AMAs! Donate $100+ to an abortion fund and reply with your receipt.
We can talk editorial, agenting, query/submission process.
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After years of searching for a football story that would take my breath away,
@dirtbagqueer
delivered this fantastic book with stunning trans femme representation. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to share with editors!
My Friday Night Lights-loving heart is full!
🚨SOME PERSONAL NEWS🚨
✨as of today i am officially repped by
@thejordache
of
@awfulagent
✨
📕couldn’t be more thrilled to get to work bringing ONE OF THE BOYS and hopefully many more of my words to you all in the near future📕
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Four-year-old was nervous from the thunderstorm, so I curled up with her on the couch and we watched the storm from the window. I told her how where I grew up we had thunderstorms all the time and that I love them. By the time she went to bed, she was also in love with storms. 😭
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The four-year-old said she wanted me to talk to her about grown-up stuff tonight at dinner, so I explained global shipping delays and how they affect the picture book business. Fun dinner conversation for sure.
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I know lots of people are saying this, but don't mock Texans right now. I've spent much of the last few days trying to help my family in Austin and haven't heard from my 95-year-old grandfather since this started. I'm a wreck and I'm in CA. The people in TX don't need your jokes.
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Some people buy absurdly big TVs to watch the Super Bowl. In this house we bought an absurdly large TV to watch
#WestSideStory
.
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To the trans and enby writing community: Please know that there are so many fantastic agents repping your community and your stories. And many wonderful editors buying those stories! That's my message this morning.
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Social media can be a shitshow, but thanks to the power of social media a friend from high school who I reconnected with on Instagram last year just checked on my grandfather for me and he's okay.
I know lots of people are saying this, but don't mock Texans right now. I've spent much of the last few days trying to help my family in Austin and haven't heard from my 95-year-old grandfather since this started. I'm a wreck and I'm in CA. The people in TX don't need your jokes.
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For once the east coasters will be waking up to bonkers news. All of us west coasters got the news tonight!
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With my books featuring queer identities, I always ask the client how they would like to be described in their bio in my pitch and let their comfort level lead how I pitch the book, then stick to it. I got into this business to lift voices, not pressure people out of the closet.
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Quick query update! I have read and considered all queries in my inbox as of right now (10pm ET, September 30). Always on the hunt for author/illustrators and great queer content from PB through YA. Still very much looking for non-fiction children's/YA projects!
#amagenting
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@MaraWilson
When I was nine I visited my aunt in Minnesota. I had written a letter to New Moon telling them that I was visiting the state and wanted to go to the office. They responded and gave me a tour. We drove all the way to Duluth so I could spend time at my fave baby feminist magazine.
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Quick query update! I've read and considered all queries received through today (6/19). One quick tip! If my last name is spelled incorrectly in your subject line, it doesn't get filtered into my inbox!
Really on the hunt for author/illustrators at the moment! Thanks!
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For those following along on my evacuation experience, we were able to come home earlier this afternoon. Still a little smoky, but good to be home. And I just got to call a client with great news, so that certainly helped my mood, too!
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So thrilled to continue making beautiful books with
@aj_irving
!!!! 🌈 💖
Same agent! New home! I’m excited to continue my journey with
@thejordache
at JABberwocky Literary Agency! I’m overjoyed to join an author-friendly agency with a sense of humor. Thank you for the warm welcome,
@awfulagent
! 🥳
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Speaking of
#TopChef
, I have to say how much it meant to see Dan Jacobs make it to the finale and openly talk about his disability. Seeing a contestant using mobility aids and wearing braces was really inspiring as someone who is coming to terms with bracing myself.
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That auction on last night’s
#JaneTheVirgin
was bananas. Over in two minutes and she only knew the advance! No idea who the publisher was! Did she keep audio and only sell North American rights?! I hope she kept film/tv rights because I have a hunch that book will be a tv show!🤣
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I had a really weird zoom background glitch this week but I found it very cool. A glimpse inside my head.
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Want an example of why kids need to see themselves in books? Read
@MaraWilson
's chapter on KISSING DOORKNOBS in her book WHERE AM I NOW?
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Alison Bechdel wants to change the Bechdel Test to the Bechdel-Wallace Test to give credit to friend w/ the idea.
http://t.co/wcVjtDO4Xf
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When we were only a few months into this pandemic,
@grubreport
dropped this manuscript into my inbox. It was gorgeous. We quickly put it on submission and it holds the record of fastest offer in my career. I can’t wait to see how
@ladykbuzz
illustrates this book.
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Eight years ago I married
@themattlondon
at the
@museumofscience
. We were struck by lightning, went to space, and hung out with dinos. It was quite the party. Just like the last eight years.
#nerdlove
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@MaraWilson
The people who say “I don’t see musicals. I only see THEATRE,” are the same people who when they find out I work in children’s publishing say “That’s cute. I only read LITERATURE.”
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Starting my Friday with an author accepting my offer of rep! That’s a nice way start to the day.
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The chapter deals with anxiety & OCD in an honest way, but it's how one book helped her realize she wasn't alone that sticks.
@MaraWilson
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This book is so very special. I can't wait for it to get into the hands of young readers. And what a beautiful cover!
A treat! Today we're talking with
@grubreport
about viral tweets (remember
#ZoomoftheFlies
?), wildfires, and the reality of those early COVID days captured so perfectly in her upcoming verse middle grade novel Hummingbird Season. Plus: Cover reveal!
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Just closed a deal for a beautifully queer book. The world is on fire, but I appreciate the moments when my clients bring beauty and joy into the world with their words. Can't wait to share more soon.
#amagenting
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My aunt is a literal Dolly Parton expert talking about Dolly on last night’s Biography: Dolly Parton.
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Whenever I'm making submission lists, I sing this song:
"Making sub lists, making all the sub lists, take an editor and I put them on the sub list!"
So that's where my head is at.
YA editors, I've got a stunning new queer project starring a trans girl athlete. Hit me up!
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Tying an author's future to previous sales is always frustrating knowing that many times authors have no control over the publisher's promotion of the book and then are punished for going from a lead to mid-list with no warning or never getting support in the first place.
👇👇👇
When the time comes to buy second/option books from 2020 debut authors, I hope publishers remember that sales are not representative of the extreme talent hitting shelves right now.
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You know what is amazing? Seeing
@matokah
's ANA ON THE EDGE reviewed in the New York Times! "Sass has created dynamic, original characters who are believable and fun to follow... You can't help rooting for Ana..." I'm a smiling agent today!
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I was recently asked “how to write a picture book” and my first response was READ. I take a day every month to just go to the bookstore, see what’s featured/catches my eye and read. Some I’m revisiting, some are new. But to sell or write, you gotta know what’s working out there!
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Years ago, I thought the Egmont closure was tough because we only had three hours to call the authors/agents before the press release went out. Now I’m grateful I had the time to personally inform my authors, even if it was brief.
Respect the relationships that make your books.
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First official day of work in 2020. I have erased my “2019 Sales” list from my white board. Time to make some sales in 2020! My list of projects to submit just this month alone is epic. Editors, be ready!
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I'm prepping a gorgeously-written Dianna Wynne Jones-esque YA fantasy for submission in the fall and I am so in love with these two silly magical teenagers. They are so awkward and so clearly in love. I just want to give them a hug.
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PSA: If you've been crying off and on all day like I have, remember to drink some water. I just took a sip of water and it was magical.
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My toddler is officially just a third roommate now. She wakes up in them morning, says "Good morning," walks right into the kitchen where she opens the pantry and grabs an applesauce. Then she'll open the fridge and say "Someone needs to go to the store and buy eggs and milk!"
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She held on for so long. I'm angry. I'm heartbroken. This is a massive moment of collective grief that I haven't experience since 2016. I heard a scream in one room. My phone rang. I screamed. I haven't had a chance to cry because am just so ANGRY.
VOTE. VOTE. VOTE. FOR BIDEN.
Just days before Ginsburg's death, as her strength waned, she dictated this statement to her granddaughter:
"My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."
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My work inbox as of this moment. Maternity leave is a go. The baby is allowed to come whenever she's ready, but hopefully she'll let me sleep for a few days.
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Tomorrow I say “Goodbye forever!” to my malfunctioning gallbladder. I’ve sent my last work email for the next two weeks and plan on deleting this app off of my phone while I recover. I’ll pop on to boost my magical clients who definitely have cool things happening while I’m out.
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If you are going through pregnancy loss or infertility, know that you are not alone. One piece I keep finding myself returning to is
@LauraBenanti
's essay on her miscarriage. It's hard to talk about things like this, but important to me that we do. Thanks.
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Shouting to the moon with joy that we can finally share the news that
@grubreport
’s brilliant HELLO, STAR sold to
@DeirdreEJones
. I can’t wait to see
@VashtiHarrison
’s illustrations. I have cried EVERY time I read this manuscript. So excited for the world to read it. 💫💫💫
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Watching twitter meltdown over
#gameofthrones
is amazing. I've been waiting for this reaction moment since the series started.
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Ten years ago today
@themattlondon
and I had an extremely nerdy wedding. Now we’ve had a decade of a nerdy marriage that started on the east coast and took us to the west coast five years ago. And we had extremely cool kid. Excited to see what the next decade brings.
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I am absolutely giddy over the client projects going on submission in the next few weeks. I'm completely obsessed and can't wait to share them.
Kidlit editors, you are not ready!
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I've been editing in my local B&N the last few weeks. It's perfect. I take a break to read 5 picture books & get inspired all over again. Last week I ended up hand-selling some MG after hearing someone say "I wish someone here knew what to give an 11 yo boy." I quietly said "Hi."
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My almost two year old is obsessed with the
@GirlsWhoCode
BABY CODE board books. She grabs them and says “My code!!!” when she wants them read. Adorable and educational.
@WorkshopBooks
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I just can't. I spent ten minutes today talking with an editor about how terrified I already am about this year's fire season.
Can we please not start fires by covering up murders or shooting off pyrotechnics for gender reveals this year? We are a tinder box.
A 2020 wildfire that killed two people in Northern California and eventually became part of one of the largest fires in the state's history was set intentionally in an attempt to cover up a woman's murder, authorities say
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My last two Fridays have ended with wrapping up exciting new deals for my clients. It's been a busy week! Let's hope that momentum keeps chugging along!
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There is just so much hate in this country. This is horrifying.
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I'm so thrilled to have
@tayberryjelly
and her adorable queer rom-com ACE OF CAKE on my list. Baking, musicals, and a super queer ace lead? It was an instant yes for me.
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As 4/15, I am completely caught up on queries.
Still looking for author/illustrators!
I'm very hungry for MG and YA non-fiction.
We are going back to the moon. Send me your space race non-fiction! The Right Stuff for kids! Voyager 1 is turning 50 soon! Give me SPACE!
#mswl
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My first Bologna food tweet.
This is Cheese Gelato.
Ice cream tasting of stracchino, robiola and gorgonzola cheese accompanied by rosemary wafer and caramelized figs.
🤯 It was delicious.
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I just watched
@grady_hendrix
's HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE event. I should know by now that a Grady event will make me laugh, learn something new, and ultimately end with me sobbing. His events are like none other.
Go see him live. And buy his book.
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