Deakin's writerly update - May 2023
What I've been writing/reading this month.
Me sharpening up my words.
I’ve had my nose to my grindstone over the last couple of months, polishing up my manuscript, drafting and redrafting my query letters and getting on the relentless treadmill that is submitting my novel to literary agents.
To the uninitiated, this involves lots of internet research, Excel spreadsheets, rejection emails and perseverence.
If you are submitting to literary agents, I wish you heaps of luck. You may also be interested in this list of successful query letters from people who’ve made it.
Have you been on the literary agent treadmill? Do you have any tips? Share them in the comments!
Other stuff I’m working on
People in the writing group have been treated to my latest story, about a woman looking for her missing sock. The only problem is, she’s been imprisoned. And the other residents aren’t exactly helpful.
I’ve also been working on a jaded sci fi wizard story exploring the relevance of magic in the year 3050.
And I’ve revisited an old tale about a lonely cleaner, who visits the house of a favourite client who’s passed away. At least, that’s what she was led to believe…
What I’ve been reading
The Trees Grew Because I Bled There. This short story collection definitely pushed my gross out limits. But it’s worth it. The writing is exquisite and extremely creepy.
Newton Webb’s horror collection, Tales of the Macabre Vol 1, which I heartily recommend. I enjoyed Webb's characteristic dark humour and strong character voices, as well as the creepiness that keeps you guessing.
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Waters weaves a fine historical mystery and I was racing to get through as many pages as possible before work.
What I’ve been watching
Colin from Accounts, a Australian comedy about two lonely people brought together by an injured dog. (The dog is super cute!)
I also watched Beef, which was a brilliant series about what happens when angry, unhappy people let a grudge spiral out of control.
Hooray for Beef! I've been introducing it to loads of people, it's the best show I've seen in ages.
Fingersmith is great, I also recommend Affinity by Sarah Waters, although it is, uh... Quite bleak. Got to be in the right mood for it I think.
I look forward to reading the full sock story :)
Thanks for the shout out!
I'm looking forward to reading about your socks. It's a perpetual concern of mine that one day Ed will be gifted a sock and then nobody will do my laundry.