What I’ve Learned After Querying 40 Literary Agents for My Novel
Yesterday I sent out the fortieth query in my novel query process, so it feels like time to send you an update! Forty queries means forty carefully crafted emails, each with its own research behind it—researching agents, checking submission guidelines, double-checking agent interests, double-checking email address, and triple-checking that I’ve spelled the agent’s name correctly.…
Read MoreThe long, hard road to becoming a practicing book coach, part 1
Dear Vi, Around this time back in 2021, I completed a year-long training program, passed the three required practicums, and received my certification through Author Accelerator, under the founder, Jennie Nash. Getting my certification was hard. Sure, learning curves are always steep, and the course was (and still is!) comprehensive and very robust. But that’s…
Read MoreA Bookcase Quilt for Jade
Dear Vi, I wanted to show you the quilt that I made for the daughter of a very dear friend two years ago. I’d made Jade a baby quilt when she was small, but she was turning 12 in 2018. Not a little girl anymore. It was time to make her a quilt that would…
Read MoreQuilting during Covid-19
Dear Vi, I wear a lot of hats, as you know, but the one I turn to in times of stress is quilting. I think that’s because quilting is something I can do that doesn’t involve sitting still. I’m a knitter, too, but when I’m feeling anxious, I can’t sit in one place for very…
Read MoreThe Weather Outside: Frightful and Delightful
Dear Vi, While my friends on the west coast are enjoying a bit of a cool and rainy summer, here in Dawson City, Yukon things have been quite delightful. Well, for the most part, anyway.We did go through a couple of weeks of being choked by smoke from forest fires, but thankfully no longer. Now…
Read MoreBack in Dawson City
Dear Vi, We’ve been back in Dawson City for just over a week, and I’ll tell ya, it feels good. This morning as I was walking Samson on the trail beside the highway, his inspection of a clump of grass was interrupted by the sound of an ATV approaching from behind. We stepped to the…
Read MoreBook Review: The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, by Kelly Harms
Dear Vi, Summer reading season is upon us and I am all about the lighthearted, happy books right now. Why? Because lately I’m finding all the unkindness in the world is wearing me down. Angst and anger shouts at me every time I look at social media, and sometimes it’s hard to get it out…
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