The Versatile Blogger Award

I just received a lovely nomination for The Versatile Blogger Award from Gina over at the 30 Ways of Walking blog. To be honest, I wasn’t exactly sure what the nomination meant, but after some digging around I discovered it’s a way for fellow bloggers to show their appreciation of other blogs that they follow and think are worthy of recognition within the blogging community.

So there. It’s always nice to learn that a fellow blogger enjoys your posts.

But wait, it doesn’t stop there. Once you have been nominated for the award, you must then nominate 15 blogs that you are fond of (which I will list below), as well as write 7 things about yourself that may be of interest to your readers. I will list the 7 tidbits first, and then will finish this post off with my 15 nominees!

7 things you may not know about me

1. I drink copious amounts of tea. No matter what time of day, or what state I am in, I will always have a cup of tea within arms reach. I collect tea pots, and prefer loose tea over bagged. If I had my way (and was handy with a hammer and nail) I would have a wall cabinet full of tea.

2. I love board games. If you visit my home, odds are you will have to engage in a game or two. I recently purchased the Penguin Book Chase board game and am smitten as a kitten with it. I also enjoy a game of Scrabble, and Therapy.

3. I am a crazy cat lady, and I am okay with this. Truth be told, I actually revel in it. Case in point: My partner and I were engaged in a serious game of tennis (serious for him that is), and just as it was my turn to lob the ball I noticed a blur of fur in my peripheral vision, which of course brought the game to a complete halt. A stray cat had wandered onto the tennis court, and naturally I had to drop everything I was doing and wander over to pet it. On an evening stroll, I am that creepy lady who can be found wandering down dark alleyways, whistling and clucking my tongue in hopes of getting the attention of some feline.

4. I always wanted to learn how to play the violin. Due to this, most of my favourite musicians are those that incorporate the violin into their music. Like Andrew Bird, Vanessa Mae, and Owen Pallett.

5. I adore the writing of Italo Calvino. If you have a second, you must read his short story Adam, One Afternoon. You really ought to read everything by him, but especially this particular story.

6. I am currently stuck on the I’s in terms of destinations I want to hit. Italy, Istanbul, India, Iceland…and of course, Ireland. If I had my way, I would visit Ireland every few years.

7. Last but not least, I love to cook. Although I am not a fan of the summer climate, I am a huge fan of asparagus and strawberries. They are only in season for a very brief period of time, and so I am making a point of eating them everyday while I can.

My 15 Nominees

1. Hey Ma, I’m Home. This blog is written by a Mother-Daughter team, about the adventures that ensued when they found themselves living under the same roof. The daughter has since moved out (and to the UK), but they still keep up with their entertaining and insightful correspondence. I tend to read their posts while drinking my first morning cup of tea, and I always end up with a smile on my face.

2. INDIA’S FORGOTTEN WAR. This blog is written by my good pal Michael, who is currently working towards his PhD at Carleton. He is a former development worker, and aspiring academic specializing in South Asian politics. His work explores state formation and insurgency in eastern and central India from the colonial period to the present. Even if this is not your usual cup of tea, I would recommend checking his blog out. It always makes for a fascinating and informative read.

3. Food to Glow. Being a foodie, and being health conscious, I absolutely love Kellie’s recipes. What isn’t there to love about healthy & tasty food? Plus, she always posts photos to accompany her recipes. Which is a bonus in my mind. That way I can compare my outcome to hers, and make sure I am on the right track.

4. SHORTSTACK. This blog is all about shorts. If you are a film buff, you will especially enjoy the posts on this blog. On that note, if you haven’t checked out the full version of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore you really ought to. It won the Oscar this year. And for good reason.

5. Becoming Madame. This is the blog of a lovely American woman who travelled to Paris and found love in the city of lights. This blog offers an insiders perspective on Paris, and what real life is actually like in this french city. The topics are plentiful, ranging from french style to french politics and everything in-between!

6. POP.SEE.CULTURE. This blog is written by two ladies, both of whom are working in the design trade. This blog is a means for them to share their interests and work, and there is everything on here that you could possibly want to read about. The photos are lovely, and are truly eye candy. They post music videos, and review books. It’s the kind of blog you can lose yourself in.

7. threehundredsixtysixdays. This blog covered the 366 days in the life of one woman, who decided to engage in a year of devoting herself to month-long intensive experiments. The experiments were all very different, and yet all of them held some kind of social or cultural significance. For example, March 2011 was devoted to the act of extreme couponing. May consisted of thirty-one dates, and January 2012 found our blogger living at the poverty line. The year has ended, but our blogger is now posting about the writing process as she turns her blogging experiences/posts into a book. This really is one of the most fascinating blogs I have come across.

8. Unbound Press. This is the blog of a small Scottish press. They publish volumes of work consisting of international fiction, non-fiction and prose poetry. They also award writers prizes for their short stories and novels in their ongoing literary competitions. They are currently not seeking unsolicited manuscripts, but welcome writers to enter their writing competitions.

9. At Down Under. This blog is written by a woman who moved from Paris to New Zealand, and now documents her new life and what inspires her. I adore her posts. Her photos are simply stunning, and her recipe for hazlenut cookies is divine.

10. The Mysterious Yes. Books. Film. Music. Painting. Photography. And more. The writing is lovely, and I am always discovering new things on their blog.

11. A Big Life. Indeed. This site covers the life of a Sydney born writer who moves to Germany for love. She details life in Munster, her summers in Sanitorini, and her life in Weiden. She is also the co-founder of O&S publishing, and O&S will soon be releasing their beautifully illustrated first e-book entitled Sincere Forms of Flattery which consists of seven great stories by seven great writers. You should check them out at: http://oandspublishing.com/

12. mikeonabike. If you love bicycles, and love the idea of hopping on your bicycle and just riding wherever life takes you, then this is a blog you will want to read. Mike hopped on his bike back in 2009, and has been cycling the world ever since. His starting location was the Arctic, and he is currently in Australia!

13. She Thought Outside the Box. This blog started off with two Silvia’s writing about what inspired them in life. They’ve added a few contributors who also write about what inspires them, and the cities they live in. Currently, the blog covers life in Barcelona, Lisbon, London and Berlin. If you are planning on a visit to any of these locations, I recommend checking their blog out so that you can get the inside scoop on what to do/see on your travels.

14. A place strange. Which, coincidentally is the blog of one of the bloggers I have already nominated. Nevertheless, check it out. It is a dream log, and makes for an interesting read.

15.Booktopia. Booktopia sells books all over the world. They are based in Sydney, Australia. This is their blog, and it’s pretty great. If I had more time, I would sign up for their The Dead Writers Club–an online book club for those interested in literature from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

On the horizon. Up and Away.

Speaking of New York, the BEA is fast approaching. As it draws near, I am having to focus all of my time/attention on the preparation involved. There are editor meetings to be booked, manuscripts to be polished, and book pitches to be finely tuned. I depart for NYC in a week, and time is a ticking.

With all of my time being divvied up between the prep work involved for the BEA and finalizing any last minute edits for my clients, it means I will be slow on the uptake with regards to responding to queries, and reading any new material. This aspect of my job must be put on hold until I return to Toronto in mid-June. My sights are set on New York.

New York. New York.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

I borrowed this book from my Sister. Both she and my Father had read it, and they both had enjoyed it. We tend to share the same taste in literature, and so I trust their judgement when it comes to books. I had never read anything by Ms. Waters, but when I read the line ‘An elegantly written, chill-inducing novel of psychological suspense…’ I was sold. I love a good mystery, especially when it is laden with psychological undertones.

The book itself could be classified as a tome, weighing in at 463 pages. This is not a book to be read in one sitting. With that being said, there is nothing languid about the pacing of this book. Like any good mystery, there is that gradual progression of suspense being instilled with every turn of the page. As the story unfolds, you realize the plot is driven in equal parts by the atmospheric backdrop of the Ayres decaying estate, as well as the disenfranchised characters that dwell within the narrative. As the reader, you are being drawn slowly and carefully into the damaged lives of the Ayres family, and are granted a birds eye view of their dismantled and war torn lives.

As the story progresses, the author begins to reveal startling insights into the psyche of each and every character. Like a psychological case study, we begin to uncover the most unsettling aspects of human nature, and the disturbing effects that war and desolation can conjure. Each character is battling their own demons; succumbing to a merciless past that refuses to set them free. Plagued by their unrelenting past, and facing their unforgiving futures, the family gives way to sheer madness. What makes the narrative all the more sinister is the fact that the in the minds of the characters, the decrepit walls and ceilings that surround them, have taken on a life force of their own: A dark, and menacing force, that results in the onset of a series of horrific and troubling ‘accidents’.

As tragedy strikes repeatedly, and the family members suffering escalates, the characters believe themselves to have fallen prey to a vindictive force that they are ill equipped to battle. But is this the case? Was this force lying dormant for years, and after a long slumber found itself awoken by the tortured souls that walked its corridors? Or were the Ayres’ minds already so far gone, that they created this ‘little stranger’ in a means of conceding to their dying way of life. I do not want to give anything away, and so I advise you to read this book, and decide for yourself.

There are no comfortable solutions or conclusions to this book. Although it is a quiet drama,  its effects are as haunting as they are long lasting. From start to finish, the writing is completely absorbing, replete with the mournful and angry sentiment that pervades works like du Maurier’s Rebecca, and Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. It truly is a modern day gothic masterpiece.

A cacophony of creative hoots and cackles.

There are a few literary goodies I wish to share with you, and so I have decided to compile them all into this one post. I hope you enjoy!

The first item, is this ridiculously accurate to life ecard which I found on the beloved book porn website. The hilarity is not lost on me. Neither is the despair. I know this scene all too well. I mourned just as hard as Heathcliff when Cathy died. And let’s not even mention what occurs when I hear the chart topping song by Kate Bush…

The second tidbit, is the fun and lovely poetry sensation that is gathering momentum over at The Millions Tumblr website. They requested their viewers to send them poems based on book titles that adorn their shelves. My lovely author Helen partook, and has lovingly referred to the poems as ‘Book Spine Poems’. I wish I had time to join in, but I urge my readers to.

Next up, is the brilliant board game that I just discovered. The Great Penguin Bookchase is the perfect board game for readers of books. Not to imply that you must be an avid reader to play this game, as it is suitable for all ages, and all ranges of readers. The game consists (mostly of) multiple choice questions, but also allows the players to collect, borrow, beg, or steal books for their bookshelf. The first player to acquire six books (a book from each category), and make it back to the center of the board game is the winner! The design of the board game itself is divine. I look forward to countless rounds of Bookchase.

Lastly, I thought I would post a poem entitled Night Time Musings. I would have preferred to post a ‘book spine poem’, but this will have to do. I also feel bad because I never managed to read/review a book for the month of April. I am currently reading The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters and hope to have a review posted by the end of this month.

Night Time Musings

My constant companion. He who possesses ebony fur; stricken with a shade of amber.

He often lays low, contented to yield to silence. His demeanour hums softly of other worlds.

At night, he sleeps by the foot of my bed. An outstretched paw intermittently taps the floorboards.

I am forever made aware of his presence, and his purpose.

Within the dark recesses of this mad place, I slumber in defenselessness.

His eyes are ever watchful and discerning, offering up slivers of light.

We share a burden, he and I.

Without this earnest devotion to one another, I would surely slip softly away.

Washing me clean of all my tidal pain, he absorbs any fragmented remnants upon his own aspect.

His night time musings resonate a lingering sadness.

His words freeze time, as they penetrate the ceiling and walls that surround.

My only companion; he whispers while I sleep.

Literary Erotica. How soon is now?

Speaking of trends within the publishing industry, the latest is erotica. Thanks to the overwhelming success of E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey, editors and agents are scrambling to obtain the next big erotica title. Whether this results in a long standing trend or not, erotica is hot right now and therefore it is in hot demand.

Being an agent, part of my job is being sensitive to the markets’ trends. Although, I am not opposed to acquiring erotica for my list, my literary tastes are definitely not in sync with the Fifty Shades of Grey particular form of erotic fiction. Writers such as Anais Nin and Anne Desclos are more my cup of tea.

So without further ado, it would appear as though I am jumping on the erotica bandwagon. Erotica writers, please send me your queries! Keep in mind, besides the work containing the necessary level of smuttiness and accessibility, I do require the writing to be of the literary style. On another note: I would love to see an erotica novel that strays from the standard format of the male dominant + female submissive. Surprise me.

LBF

As a first timer, the London book fair delivered all that I expected and much more. Going into the fair, I had a fairly good idea of what my function would be. For three days, I would have back to back meetings with editors, publishers, other agents, and scouts. To be honest, the three days were a whirlwind affair. My first day consisted of 15+ meetings. For the most part I was meeting with editors, with the intention of promoting specific titles to them. Depending on what the editors were seeking, I would then pitch to them the titles on my list that would appeal to their tastes. It was a thrilling experience, and I now fully understand the important role these fairs play within the industry. They offer a pivotal service to people working within publishing, by offering an environment conducive to book sales, and the forging of new connections.

The industry has undergone a metamorphosis (and will surely continue to do so). Digital presses are popping up all over the place.  New trends within the traditional houses are being brought about by self published titles that have gone viral. More and more first time authors are going the route of self publishing, and through dedicated marketing and self promotion are reaching their intended audience. It is no lie that the industry is not what it used to be. The market is definitely under duress for traditional houses, and yet the atmosphere at the fair was anything but ‘doom and gloom’. Where there is innovation, there is hope. It’s hard to say what the future of publishing will hold, and as nerve wracking as the unknown is, it is also a really exciting time to be working as an agent. As popular as e-books have become, there is  definitely still a demand for traditional paper backs. Even with the current state of things, there was no shortage of  passionate devotion among the editors and agents at the fair. It was simply amazing to witness all these industry types coming together to promote books.

Final thoughts: The fair was an experience I will not soon forget. It was brilliant to connect with so many editors in such a short period of time. I made some wonderful and meaningful connections at the fair, and my time spent there was a great success. Some of my titles sparked major interest with the editors, and over the next few months I will be very busy with submissions. I also branched out, and am looking to take on a few co-agented projects and look forward to promoting these select titles to North America. Although I was exhausted by the end of the three days, I loved every moment and am already looking forward to the Book Expo America in June, and the Frankfurt book fair in October.

London Calling.

The city of London is calling. And yet, this time around it’s strictly for business purposes. I am heading overseas for the London Book fair. For anyone who is not familiar with the purpose of the fair, it is a terrific means of connecting with editors and other agents, and is an avenue to promote books within the industry. I have spent the last few weeks preparing the material I will need to present during those three days. Yes, the fair is actually only three days, but three very long days, consisting of editor/agent meetings and forging new business connections. I am overcome with anticipation, as I am thrilled to get out there and promote my clients work. I am going in with a very strong list, and can only hope that my time spent at the fair will be lucrative, and will result in many new and wonderful business partnerships. Another reason why I am keen to attend, is because it’s hard to get a sense of how the international market is faring from over here in Toronto, and I hope to come out of the book fair having a clearer idea of the big picture.

Although the fair itself is a mere three days, my travels are taking me to the UK for three weeks. Outside of the book fair dates, the rest of my time will be spent meeting with more editors, authors, and publishers. Like I mentioned previously, the loveliest part of my job is having that personal contact with my authors. My UK/European client list is expanding, and so it will be nice to touch base with some new and potential clients. I will be spending a few days in Edinburgh, as I have a client there that I wish to visit. I am also very much looking forward to meeting with an editor from Canongate, as it has always been a dream of mine to work with that publishing house. Building and maintaining these relationships plays such a pivotal role in what I do. It’s through these well crafted connections that other connections are born.

I will be MIA for a bit, but my next post(s) will cover my experiences at the fair, and I will do my very best to keep on top of my April book review. Knowing my schedule in advance, I am only packing two books with me for this trip. One for the airplane journey, and the other for the train/tube rides.