MEMOIR UPDATE
Earlier this month I finalized the submission documents needed to pitch my memoir to literary agents. These documents consisted of a query letter with my bio, a hook and introduction for my memoir as well as a five-hundred-word synopsis. I selected sixteen agents, (two of whom were referrals from a coach/editor my Canada Council grant allowed me to work with.) It felt strange to have a manuscript that was finally in shape to send out to professionals after writing and rewriting my story for the past twelve years. I eagerly began waiting for replies but knew that literary agents get so many submissions that often it takes months or even years to receive replies or to secure an agent. It is very difficult to publish memoir especially.
While at Science World with my oldest kids earlier this month, I had a very brief moment to check my email. One of the agents whom I was referred to was expressing immense enthusiasm for my work, she absolutely loved it and wanted to set up a time for a zoom call. I was stunned. It was an immensely validating moment to have a professional without any tie to my work regard it as good. While waiting for our meeting, I knew that she loved it and hoped that in our meeting she might offer me representation but nothing was for sure. Her offer could also come with conditions such as alot of rewriting or removing or adding things that wouldnt align with my vision for my memoir. To my absolute delight, the agent conveyed that she felt my manuscript is nearly ready to submit to publishers after working to improve a few spots and offered me representation. I signed a contract confident that she is the right advocate for my work! I HAVE AN AGENT, an incredibly well-respected and experienced Canadian agent at one of the most successful agencies in the country who shares my vision for my memoir. It still doesn’t seem real.
Now although signing with an agent is a HUGE step it won’t guarantee that my memoir will get published. The path forward will look something like this:
I work with my agent to improve the areas within the manuscript she has flagged.
My agent will meet with a selection of acquisition editors at a number of Canadian and American publishing houses.
If an acquisition editor believes my work may be a good fit for them-they get more people within the company involved. If there are more yesses from the marketing team, management, and so forth they would offer me a deal. My agent would then negotiate on my behalf before hopefully signing a contract!
We are planning to pitch to publishers this spring so you can look forward to an update on our progress in my next newsletter.
WEIRDEST PET AWARDS
GUEST CONTRIBUTION
A Place in the World With My Cat- By: Nicole Alexander
For humans, the world is a large, complicated, and exacting place to exist in; more so than ever today with the exponential expanse of population and technology. With our complex prefrontal cortexes, we worry and wonder about all manner of things, from philosophical to trivial, societal to individual, probable to improbable. We worry about ourselves and about other people. We worry about who we are, who others are, why we are the way we are, and why we do the things we do. Will inflation go down? What happens when we die? Did we come across as rude to the bus driver earlier this evening? How do we determine what’s really right and what’s wrong?
Like everyone else, I have my worries, both the metaphysical and the mundane. I am a very ruminative person, and especially in the past I’ve tended to become emotionally and mentally overwhelmed. Sometimes it’s too much, and I stop and curl up in my bed, mired in feelings of hopelessness, listlessness, and dry anger; questions without knowable answers burning in my mind, drawing me to teeter over the edge of a dark pit of languish and despair.
But then, my cat, Yuko, wanders over in search of companionship and affection, as cats often do. She does not understand why I am upset; she is not even capable of comprehending the thoughts and feelings that plague me. She is simply coming to be beside me because she enjoys being so.
For my cat, the world is a small, simple, and undemanding place to exist. The world is her house and the area surrounding the front porch, from where she may watch birds and lay in the sun or the shade as she pleases. The world is not scary or confusing, nor are the two humans who inhabit it with her. Her needs will always be met, and her wants seen to as well. Her days are filled with contentment and pleasure; she has no worries. Living in the moment- this moment we share- as I stroke her soft fur and the overwhelm melts away. Her contentment with life is contagious and I feel purpose in knowing that I help to provide that for her.
This is a phenomena that can be experienced in differing contexts and extents with any animal, but to me, there has always been something special about it with cats. There’s just something about them that touches me in a specific way and puts my mind at ease. Cats are often languid and relaxed, yet also sporadically energized and fun-loving, a combination which I appreciate and enjoy greatly.
When my cat curls up against my side, when she meows at me, gazing upwards and, blinking slowly, purring with that contentment… I forget about my circling thoughts and plagues of worries. I am simply loved, and loving in return. I have purpose, meaning, and joy. I am home.
FIELD HORSE JR.
AT THE FARM
With spring comes a lot of projects and upkeep as everything begins to grow. We made a pathway with stepping stones that have Tiny’s hoof prints pressed into them, seeded some grass, are working on fencing another area for the goats so they can attempt to keep our property line free from blackberries and we have pulled approximately five hundred pounds of buttercups from our acre of pasture by hand…phew! but still, in all the work and things to do, Spring is my favourite for its hopefulness and sunshine. We are grateful (or try to be mostly grateful) for having our property to steward.
Every year our kids rediscover their backyard in a new way it seems. Our oldest can now tack up her pony 99% on her own and has been enjoying being able to ride even more frequently. It’s been beautiful to see her love of her horses, riding, and all things vet-related develop. Our son is becoming so much braver this year at 3.5, enjoying riding too but also very much loving digging in his sandbox, collecting and “rehabilitating” worms. Our little one, fifteen months now is walking….very much wanting to be involved in everything her older siblings are and can climb the ladder into the treefort in record time.
If you haven’t already, please consider sharing my newsletter wth your animal loving friends to help support me in developing credibility in the eyes of a publisher :)
It takes a huge commitment to see a goal such as this go from your initial concepts to its final stages. You are fulfilling that commitment and checking off all the boxes necessary and we are very proud of you for continuing this journey.
So proud of you Paige, for following your dreams, setting goals and accomplishing them, and all while raising a beautiful family! You are a strong and courageous woman indeed!