Latest news and ramblings from S. A. MacLean |
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The spring semester is wrapping up, which means summer is just around the corner! As I prep for my most productive writing period of the year, let's check in with this month's newsletter, including: |
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There's book news! It's vague! So let's talk about gays instead! |
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More than a year out from publication day for The Phoenix Keeper, but already, there's more fun news going on behind the scenes. I can't talk about it yet. I have no idea when I'll be able to. How anyone maintains their sanity in this industry is beyond me. For now, I'm just so humbled that my silly little magical zoo book is already resonating with readers. In the meantime, I'm distracting myself by dipping my toes into a new project. And by dipping, I mean drafting about 16k in a couple weeks when I can find time around grading exams, and gearing up to knock out some bigger numbers once summer break begins in earnest (just one week away, prep the chai lattes and hammock weather). I don't know if I can talk details about this book yet, either. So it's more vague rambling! Hooray! Ok, I suppose I ought to put at least something tangible in the news section. June is Pride Month! My own little personal celebration was getting these two adorable bisexual pride bats (one will live on my bookshelf, the other is heading to my office on campus). |
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As part of our Pride Month celebrations, what better time to chat about queer rep in The Phoenix Keeper! Aila, our nerdy and socially anxious zookeeper MC, is bisexual. Rest assured, this causes nothing but problems for her (she's equally atrocious at flirting with men and women). Luciana, our fierce and gorgeous love interest, is a lesbian. For some strange reason, Aila has been contemplating that a lot recently ... Tanya, Aila's bff in the entire world, is a trans woman in a happy and supportive relationship. Tanya and her smol king boyfriend, Teddy, are a huge inspiration for what Aila hopes to achieve in her own love life. And all of this in a 100% queer-normative world! |
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Latest Blog Post: Annotated Query Letter |
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In this post, I’m breaking down my successful query letter for THE PHOENIX KEEPER, picking apart every line to see what made this query tick! I’ll also include some notes of how the pitch has changed from querying, to submission, to pre-publication, plus comments from my agent on what made my query stand out in his inbox. | | |
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This month, my standout read was Dragonfall by L. R. Lam. When I tell you this book scratched every slow-burn, monster romance itch. The dual POV angst is positively delicious. Everyone is appropriately hot. There's spicy clothes-on grinding (that's an unexpected phrase). I was also so immersed in this book's queer normative world. They/them pronouns are the standard, and Arcady's nonbinary identity is worked so seamlessly into the story. A real treat! |
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Another delightful read this month was They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody. On the surface, a delightfully fun and cute romcom with two bisexual leads (the queers are absolutely hitting these books out of the park lately). But then, woven so well into the narrative, some very real and raw character struggles with abusive families, PTSD, and finding the strength to ask for help. I am ashamed at how often this book had me holding back tears (sad tears and happy tears). |
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The table beside my bookshelves has become - and I honestly cannot wrap my head around why this is a thing - Perry's new favorite designated-petting zone. Very cute when he jumps up and meows until receiving chin scratches. Mildly inconvenient any time I want to take book photos. |
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