Louise Fury - Literary Agent

CLOSING TO QUERIES

2012-01-22T18:42:00.000-05:00

I will be closed to all unsolicited queries from February 1st, 2012 and will reopen on April 1st, 2012

Anyone who has sent me queries, or requested partials/full manuscripts before February 1st will still be considered.

If I meet you at a conference and request your work, it is considered a solicited query and will definitely be considered.

I am heading to South Africa (second week of Feb.) to visit family, promote literacy, meet with local publishers, educate South African writers and to help stock a library for underprivileged mothers and children at a local shelter in Cape Town.

While I am there (5 weeks), I will continue to work with my clients, read their work and communicate with editors. This will leave little time for the query pile.

Thanks for understanding.

-L

* UPDATE: If I have requested a full or offered a revise and resubmit, please feel free to send your work to me.

COVER ALERT!

2012-01-03T16:48:00.004-05:00

Isn't it GORGEOUS!?

Tooth and Nail by Jennifer Safrey will be available the first week of February.
We are so excited!

Gemma Fae Cross, a tough-girl amateur boxer whose fiance is running for congress, has just made a startling discovery about herself. She is half faerie - and not just any faerie, but a tooth faerie! A hybrid of fae and human, Gemma is destined to defend the Olde Way and protect the fae - who are incapable of committing violence - from threats to their peaceful and idyllic way of life, which must be maintained by distilling innocence collected from children''s baby teeth. But when a threat to the fae mission emerges, Gemma is called upon to protect her heritage, and become a legendary fae warrior... even if it means sacrificing everything she knows about being human!

Add it to your To Read pile on Goodreads and tell us what you think! --> Goodreads

What do you think of the cover?

Cant wait to hear your thoughts!

Foreign NEWS

2011-12-31T20:30:00.004-05:00

Simplified Chinese rights to Michael Dempsey's NECROPOLIS, to Science Fiction World, by Gray Tan at The Grayhawk Agency on behalf of Sandy Lu at L. Perkins Agency.

French rights to Bram Stoker Award winner Nancy A. Collins's RIGHT HAND MAGIC and LEFT HAND MAGIC, to J'ai Lu, in a nice deal, for publication in 2012, by Anne Lenclud at Lenclud Literary Agency and Emily Keyes at L. Perkins Agency.

FYI: Emily Keyes is our Contracts and Foreign Rights Manager.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We Love Our HORROR!

2011-11-30T16:11:00.004-05:00

From Publishers Marketplace:

NYT bestselling horror author John Skipp, ed.'s PSYCHOS: Encounters with Serial Killers and the Criminally Insane, to Dinah Dunne at Black Dog & Levanthal, in a nice deal, by the L. Perkins Agency.

Have you watched this?

2011-11-25T00:55:00.002-05:00

Take 30 minutes and enjoy this amazing extended music video/short film by Kanye West.

NECROPOLIS By Michael Dempsey

2011-11-15T02:02:00.000-05:00

Here is the announcement:

Michael Dempsey's NECROPOLIS, pitched as The Big Sleep meets Frankenstein meets The Curious Case of Benjamin Button meets Fringe, in which an NYPD detective was revived in a future New York City quarantined beneath a geodesic Blister and under the brutal control of a Halliburton-like company fifty years after he and his wife were killed in a bodega hold-up, courtesy of a retrovirus which jump-starts dead DNA and throws the life cycle into reverse, so reborns like him must cope with the fact that they are not only slowly youthing toward a new childhood, but have become New York's most hated minority, to Jeremy Lassen at Night Shade Books, for publication in October 2011, by Sandy Lu at L. Perkins Agency (World English).

And now see the trailer!

Our HUGE news:

2011-10-27T00:17:00.005-04:00

We sold the most amazing book to Harper Collins.

Here is the Publishers Marketplace Announcement:

Megan Frampton writing as Megan Caldwell’s VANITY FARE, a charming novel about a 40-year-old Brooklyn mother, recently divorced with a son, who starts writing copy for a bakery, discovers a knack for food-related literary puns, and becomes entangled in a love triangle, to Wendy Lee at William Morrow (HARPER COLLINS), by Louise Fury at L. Perkins Agency (World).

I loved this book so much and I am thrilled that in 12-18 months, you guys will be able to read this too!

If you want to know more about the author, you can...

Follow her on twitter @meganf
Visit her personal blog --> www.meganframpton.com
Visit her other blog --> www.riskyregencies.blogspot.com
~~Spy on her at work~~ Visit this romance review site--> www.heroesandheartbreakers.com

Megan is an author to watch. I was a fan, long before I was her agent!

-L

OCT/NOV 2011 RELEASES by L. Perkins Agency Clients

2011-10-09T15:24:00.003-04:00

1. DEMONS: Anthology by John Skipp (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers)

Includes Stories by Neil Gamon, Clive Barker, Joe Hill and more....

2. MIND OVER MONSTERS by Jennifer Harlow (Midnight Ink)
Visit the authors website here: http://blog.jenniferharlowbooks.com/

3. FOREST OF SHADOWS by Hunter Shea (Samhain Publishing)
Visit the authors blog here: http://huntershea.com/

4. THE HUNGER GAMES COMPANION By Lois Gresh (St. Martin's)
Visit the authors blog here: http://loisgresh.blogspot.com/

5. NECROPOLIS By Michael Dempsey ( Night Shade Books)
Visit the authors GORGEOUS website at http://www.necropolisthenovel.com/

***AND COMING THIS DECEMBER .. LOOK OUT FOR the 2nd book in the Gologotham Series:
LEFT HAND MAGIC by Nancy Collins (Penguin / ROC)

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

2011-10-02T00:56:00.000-04:00

This is one speech I can watch again and again!
Have you seen it?

I Am Currently Reading...

2011-09-26T18:30:00.002-04:00

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. ---> LINK

This book is AMAZING and I am only 4 chapters in!

Find out more about the author HERE
This is a description taken from the authors website:

Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, and more. Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance.

CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS #Queries

2011-09-24T22:06:00.003-04:00

Dear Writers,

In an effort to continue responding to all queries, I have decided to start using a form rejection. As many of you know, this has been something I have tried to avoid.

Up until now, I have used a combination of form and personalized "pass" letters, but these notes have resulted in too many response emails. Some have been polite, others have requested additional help and/or advice and then there have been those that were downright rude and hurtful. The negative emails from writers has left a bad taste in my mouth, but I don't want to have to stop responding to all queries, although I admit that I have thought about it and have not ruled it out for the future.

I have also tried to avoid asking my intern to go through the query inbox because I want you to know that I have actually read your submissions. I have to be both mindful of your effort and very careful with the time I take away from my clients in order to read, respond and consider all your submissions.

In the end, while you are VERY important, my clients have to come first.

So after much consideration and careful thought, I have decided to do a few things to streamline the query process while still providing writers with the responses they need in order to keep accurate records of their submissions.

I have created an auto-response so that you will know that I have received your query (at the new email address). I hope this will alleviate any dread that you might have landed in my spam folder.
I will make a point of announcing on twitter and my blog about where (date wise) I am in the query pile.
I have a new, improved query-friendly email address!
If you want to send me a query (and the first 5 pages), you will need to email me at Louise@Lperkinsagency.com If you do not use this NEW email, you will not get a response (at all). If you have sent a query to the old email address, you should hear from me by October 1st. If you do not, please resend your query to the new address.

I think the above will make the entire process easier for both the writer and for me.

If you have sent me a query and/or samples of your work, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to consider it for my list. I know this process is not an easy one.

Thank you!

Best,

Louise

P.S. I will continue to personally respond to all requested partial and full manuscripts.

2011-09-11T14:21:00.001-04:00

THE GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS

If you live in NYC and want to meet editors, agents and fellow romance writers, you might want to attend this fabulous event.

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011
At the Parc Vendome Amenities Banquet Room
353 W 56th Street Between (8th & 9th Ave)

It is $30 and you can pay via paypal or at the door

For more information, please email karencino@aol.com

Visit this link to pay (scroll all the way down) http://www.rwanyc.com/

And to read more about it, click HERE

They always serve something delicious to drink and have yummy snacks to eat. And they always have CAKE!

I hope to see you there!

Publishing needs YOU!

2011-08-16T13:02:00.001-04:00

Don't let fear and public banter drive your decisions.

Be brave.

Be smart & motor on!

Publishing is evolving, this is the time to make your mark.

Coming soon from the L. Perkins Agency...

2011-08-03T23:54:00.004-04:00

NECROPOLIS -- OUT OCTOBER 2012

THE DUEL IS ON!!!!!!

2011-07-25T20:11:00.004-04:00

BREAKING NEWS--- FABIO is the new face of OLD SPICE!

2011-07-20T20:16:00.001-04:00

FABIO -- Keep an eye out during the week of July 25th

2011-07-18T13:03:00.000-04:00

Stay tuned for news!
Visit my client Fabio's official fan site : http://www.fabioifc.com

Until then, enjoy this yummy cover:

source: http://www.fabioifc.com

Everythings Amazing & Nobodys Happy

2011-07-18T00:53:00.000-04:00

Self Publishing

2011-07-16T20:18:00.001-04:00

If you have made the decision to self-publish your book, commit to the route you have chosen for that particular book. Please don't query me after the fact.
You are already published.

It would be great if you can embrace yourself as an author and then send me a query for something new.

This is a business...

2011-07-10T13:06:00.001-04:00

...and if you cant follow submission guidelines or say things like "I will not send just 5 pages" or
" I know you asked for (XXX) but..." then you need to look elsewhere for representation.

From Babbling About Books, And More!

2011-07-04T17:18:00.001-04:00

Do we really care if Shakespeare smoked pot or not? Apparently some do. From I09:

South African archaeologist Francis Thackeray wants to dig up Shakespeare's body and examine it to see if the most famous playwright of all time was a pot smoker. "He recently submitted the relevant proposals to the Church of England, on whose lands Shakespeare's grave is located. Thackery is the director of the Institute for Human Evolution at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and he's also pretty much the world's foremost expert on whether Shakespeare smoked marijuana.

But Thackeray has at least one crucial opponent in the quest to dig up Shakespeare, and that's William Shakespeare himself. The Bard had an inscription placed above his grave that reads, "Blessed be the man that spares these stones, and cursed be he who moves my bones."

For more crazy posts, visit the book review blog of author KT Grant

Dear Writers,

2011-06-19T14:37:00.002-04:00

I am reading the historical romance submissions and I am amazed and excited about some of the manuscripts in my inbox right now. WOW, any agent would just be blown away by the beauty of some of the words, phrases and amazing dialogue you guys are sending my way.

I must admit that getting such top notch work makes my job harder because I cannot sign up everyone. But still, how lucky am I that you chose to submit your work to me!!

Thank you!

Best,

Louise

Call for Manuscripts...

2011-06-08T00:09:00.002-04:00

I am on the hunt for some really good teen Sci-Fi and Young Adult Horror. I want really strong hooks, bold, but likable female leads and well-written dialogue.

If you write in one of the above genres, have a completed manuscript that you KNOW is ready to be seen by an agent and an editor, please email me a query and the first 5 pages of your manuscript in the body of your email.

Email: Louise@lperkinsagency.com

MEET SANDY LU...

2011-05-01T18:23:00.002-04:00

Click HERE to learn more about my colleague Sandy Lu. She is fabulous!

Cream Rises To The Top

2011-04-28T16:07:00.000-04:00

As posted on Publishers Marketplace :

South African Lauren Beukes won the UK's Arthur C Clarke award for science fiction for her novel ZOO CITY, published by Angry Robot. Ian McDonald had been considered the favorite, and other nominees included Richard Powers.

Picture Book NEWS

2011-04-06T14:42:00.002-04:00

Meet (and congratulate) Kevin Sheehan.

We recently sold his picture book to Schwartz & Wade -- a division of Random House -- and are currently in the final stages of edits. It is an exciting time and I know that his career has just begun, because this man can WRITE!

Check out his blog: KevinSheehanBooks and be sure to visit the Random house website: HERE

FUN FACT--> KEVIN'S EDITOR IS ANNE SCHWARTZ!

THE Anne Schwartz--yep, you read me correctly. Anne was the editor of a wondrous book called OLIVIA!

I love this book and feel so lucky to get the opportunity to work with Anne and Kevin.

Once the edits are finished, Anne will assign an illustrator.

We will keep you posted.

Until then, keep reading and writing, but most of all, keep smiling!

-L

The Writer’s Digest Conference

2011-01-22T09:03:00.000-05:00

I am back from Africa and finally getting back into the swing of things. By next week everything should be back to normal.
This weekend I will be here---> PITCH SLAM

Each slam lasts 3 minutes. The first 90 seconds are for you...the remainder is for me to respond with suggestions on how to improve your pitch etc. Time will be called at 3 minutes and you will have an opportunity to move on to the next (one of 50 agents).

So, if you are signed up, come over and say hello!

In Africa

2011-01-05T05:31:00.001-05:00

I am still in Africa. Sorry for the silence, but I promise to fill you in soon. All I can say about South Africa and publishing is:

South African publishing contracts have left me in shock. These authors have really been taken to the cleaners! Its a shame & it MUST change.
-L

CLOSED TO UNSOLICITED QUERIES & off to AFRICA

2010-12-02T00:43:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that I am now closed to submissions until further notice.
What am I going to be doing while closed?

Well, I plan on responding to the queries, partials and fulls that arrived in my inbox prior to December 1st and I will still accept nudges and communications from writers I have already corresponded with.
Thank you in advance for understanding.

I wish I did not have to close, but I am going to be in Africa and really need to take the time to respond to the talented authors who have waited patiently to hear from me. I will be out of the country for six weeks, but I will still be working hard for my clients as well as for South African writers, readers and librarians. I intend to promote literacy, educate writers about the American publishing market and answer questions about how to land an agent. I also hope to raise some money for the local libraries.

Alice Hoffman said "Books may well be the only true magic," and I am so excited to be able to open the world of NY publishing to a country filled with talented authors just waiting to be guided in the right direction. I will try my best to post about our journey.

Have a wonderful Holiday season--keep writing, reading and being generous of spirit.

Best wishes,
Louise

SPICE it up!

2010-11-16T21:20:00.004-05:00

If you are ever looking for a sexy read, Harlequin has a fantastic imprint--SPICE!

The latest sexy Harlequin SPICE title for the L. Perkins Agency is:

THE DUKE AND THE PIRATE QUEEN by Victoria Janssen
It will be available in December.
I love the title, the author is fantastic and the cover is so sexy I can hardly stand it!

Take a look at the other SPICE titles from the L. Perkins Agency. Each read is sure to get you a little heated on these cold winter nights.

ALISON'S WONDERLAND by Alison Tyler

THE MOONLIGHT MISTRESS By Victoria Janssen

THE DUCHESS, HER MAID, THE GROOM & THEIR LOVER by Victoria Janssen

FYI

2010-11-14T20:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Writer/s,

I loved your pitch and I am very interested in seeing more, but when I responded to your query I got an automatic email asking me to follow a link, fill out a form and then retype and resend my response.

I must admit that I was a little shocked that during the query stage of your career you have installed such a filter to eliminate spam.

I received the following email when responding to your query.

I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.

To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.

If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.

Click the link below to fill out the request: (LINK)

Now I understand that we all have spam and want to filter it out, believe me, I KNOW what you mean. But as far as I am concerned, this automated response IS spam! So while I did want to request more, I think I am going to pass. Please consider my silence an automatic rejection.

Best,

Louise Fury

The Liberty States Fiction Writers.

2010-11-13T01:34:00.000-05:00

I am going to meet the members of the Liberty States Fiction Writers tomorrow and I am so excited. I love this group of writers -- they throw a fabulous (and affordable) conference and they have some wonderful members. I can't wait to meet a few more of them.

I have packed up some books (sold by our agency), will hop on a train in the early morning and get there in time to chat it up with them in a Q&A agent/editor panel, be part of a roundtable discussion and a speed pitch session. Then I get to have a fun lunch with these talented people. How lucky am I?

If you live in New Jersey, this might be one group of writers you want to check out. I certainly would!

IMPORTANT!

2010-11-07T01:14:00.003-04:00

Please note that I wont be accepting NEW queries for 7 weeks starting 12/01/10. I will be in Africa educating aspiring authors & working to help local libraries.

I will continue to work with my current list of authors and intend to read the manuscripts, partials and queries already in my inbox.

But, if you work in a public library in Cape Town, please feel free to contact me and we can try to arrange a donation of books.

If you are an aspiring author and live in or around Cape Town and would like to attend a FREE workshop send me an email. (As of this posting there are numerous spots available.)

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

-LF

NEW FROM THE L. PERKINS AGENCY

2010-10-12T13:15:00.007-04:00

RIGHT HAND MAGIC by Nancy A. Collins (seriously talented)
A Golotham Novel

On sale December 2010 -- A NEW SERIES--ROC (Penguin Group)

Like most Manhattanites, aspiring artist Tate can't resist a good rental deal-even if it's in the city's strangest neighborhood, Golgotham, where for centuries werewolves, centaurs, and countless other creatures have roamed the streets.

Her new landlord is a sorcerer named Hexe, who is determined to build his reputation without using dark, left-hand magic. As Tate is drawn into Hexe's fascinating world, they both find that the right hand does not always know what the left hand is doing-and avoiding darkness is no easy trick...

Conference line up 2010-2011

2010-09-25T16:06:00.005-04:00

I would love to meet you at one or many of the following conferences:

~~Golden Apple Awards September 16~~

~~Authors After Dark September 17~~
Find more info on their BLOG

~~Push To Publish October 16~~

~~NJRWA Heart in a Book Conference~~ October 22-23
(I will be there from 21st-24th)

2011 DFW Writers Conference February 26th & 27th

Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference on March 19, 2011

Authors After Dark

2010-09-21T01:35:00.001-04:00

I just got back from the AAD 2010 conference, and let me tell you that it was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. Every single writer I met was polite, passionate and so enthusiastic about their craft that I could not help but be drawn to each and every one of them. I have never seen such dedicated people, everyone spent their time helping and sharing with each other. And they were funny too. Check out this blog post by Mia Watts. WHAT HAPPENS IN NEW JERSEY.

This is a conference that is going to grow because it is all inclusive. No publisher was too small and all writers were respected and Fêted, regardless of publication. I was only scheduled to go for the day (Friday), but ended up leaving later on Sunday!
Click here to check out the Authors After Dark blog.

It is in Pennsylvania next year and let me tell you now that you would be doing yourself a huge favor by signing up for this one. It is (very) affordable and I guarantee you will feel welcome!

Oh, and if you didn't know it yet, the organizers were so fantastic:

Stella Price is AMAZING! That woman rocks to no end.
Bianca D'Arc is so friendly, amazingly talented and someone I now consider to be a friend.
And Jacquelyn Frank has so much energy and is so generous that it was contagious.

So thank you to everyone who organized and attended AAD 2010. I felt honored to be included and so happy to meet every single one of you.

Thank you for making me feel so welcome, I hope to see you next year in PA.

FYI - Query Don't

2010-09-05T22:01:00.002-04:00

If you title your email RE: Query or RE: Requested Material & we haven't corresponded before, you're starting off on the wrong foot! I already think you are sneaky and it will influence the way I feel about your work.
Please don't include a picture of yourself in your query--it is unprofessional and will probably end up in my spam filter.
If you list a body of work and don't mention the publishing house, I will consider it self-published. It won't count, because I can't use it to help further your cause with an editor. But don't worry, your work will speak for itself!
Your query letter isn't a synopsis, please imagine it like you would the back of a published book. Use it to draw me in and show me your talent to build a world and describe your book in a few short paragraphs. I want to get a taste of what you can do as an author. Can you follow direction? If an editor asks you to do something--like cut 10,000 words--will you be able edit yourself without losing the core of the story?

And please be patient, I am trying my best to respond to everyone in a polite and helpful manner. That takes time.
At the moment my schedule seems to be:

Queries: 1-3 weeks.
Partials: 1-5 weeks.
Fulls: 1-5 weeks.
Exclusive, for a Requested Full: 1 week.

If you don't hear back from me within these time frames, please feel free to nudge me with an email.
Thanks!

-L

CALL FOR HISTORICAL SUBMISSIONS

2010-08-28T21:09:00.002-04:00

I am on a historical romance kick. If you have written a historical romance novel and are looking for representation --- send it over. I would be love to read it.

Interview on the Guide To Literary Agents blog.

2010-08-15T20:01:00.001-04:00

Chuck Sambuchino knows how to set up an interview!
Take a look over HERE!

CONFERENCE/AWARDS LINEUP

2010-08-12T20:51:00.002-04:00

I cant wait to attend the following:

Golden Apple Awards September 16

Authors After Dark September 17
Find more info on their BLOG

Push To Publish October 16

NJRWA Heart in a Book Conference October 22-23

And DONT FORGET TO ENTER:

2010 Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter Contest

Sponsored by the RWA/NYC

Electronic submissions only.

Fee: RWA Members: $25 Non-RWA Members: $30

Deadline: Midnight, September 13, 2010

Eligibility: Contest is open to those neither published nor contracted to publish in novella or novel-length fiction as of September 13, 2010.

Enter: A scene from anywhere in your novel*, between the hero and heroine illustrating humor and love/romance (fifteen pages max.), story/background summary (two pages max., not judged)

Judges: Published

Final judge: Chris Keesler -- Dorchester

Prize: $75

* The contest does not have categories, but is open to entries from any genre of romance, and in either category or single-title lengths. Just be sure that your scene fits the general contest category – love & laughter!

For more information, entry form, and rules contact:
Chairperson, Catherine Greenfeder at cwgreenfed@aol.com
or visit RWA/NYC’s website at www.rwanyc.com

Great advice from Chuck Sambuchino

2010-08-08T09:58:00.000-04:00

As seen on his blog.
"No pressure, but the opening of your book is the gatekeeper in determining whether your novel will sell. If your opening is weak, it won’t matter if chapter two is a masterpiece. Editors and agents will stop reading before they get to it."

THIS IS SO VERY TRUE

A Message From Don D'Auria at Dorchester Publishing

2010-08-06T16:40:00.000-04:00

Original post here ---> HORROR WORLD

Dear Authors & Agents,

Given the many changes in the publishing industry over the last several years, Dorchester has made the decision to more tightly focus its distribution models so that we may fully capitalize on the most profitable emerging technologies.

Starting with September titles, we will be moving from mass-market to trade paperback format. This will delay new releases roughly 6-8 months, but it will also open many new and more efficient sales channels.

And we’re pleased to say all titles will be available in ebook format as originally scheduled. The substantial growth we’ve seen in the digital market in such a short period—combined with the decline of the mass-market business—convinced us that we needed to fully focus our resources in this segment sooner rather than later.

Inventory for backlist titles is currently in the process of transition to a new warehouse from which all reorders will continue to be fulfilled.

Dorchester has always been known as a company ahead of the curve and willing to take risks. As bookstores are allocating the bulk of their capital to the digital business, it only makes sense that we do the same. Everyone keeps hearing that the industry has to change if it’s going to survive. We’re excited to be at the forefront of that change and will continue to keep you posted on further developments.

AGENT Q&A

2010-07-27T23:00:00.002-04:00

I recently did a Q&A with Maria Ferrer from the NYC chapter of the Romance Writers of America.
The interview is up on their blog. Take a look by clicking this LINK.

Mark Twain

2010-07-15T20:27:00.002-04:00

"High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water."
- Letter to William Dean Howells, 15 February 1887

HOT OFF THE PRESS

2010-07-07T21:05:00.003-04:00

July 7, 2010: Lynn Dickinson Lands an Agent

Lynn Dickinson (ProSeries 18) signed with New York literary agent Louise Fury, of the L. Perkins Agency, to represent the book “Brother Haters Anonymous.”

This occurred after a wild July 4th weekend where Lynn submitted the manuscript on Saturday night, had it read on Sunday, and had an exclusive agreement by Monday afternoon.

Lynn’s screenplay of the same title (Brother Haters Anonymous) is currently in development at Suntaur Entertainment, and Lynn is being managed by one of ScreenwritingU’s favorite movie producers, Zac Sanford of Elsboy Entertainment.

You’re building quite a team, Lynn.
Originally posted HERE.

-L

Call For YA and MG Submissions

2010-07-02T23:19:00.000-04:00

I am seeking fun, imaginative and engaging Middle Grade fiction. Think humor, adventure and mystery. The characters must be authentic and original and the writing must need very little editing.

I am also on the lookout for high concept Young Adult fiction --- I LOVE romance, unique paranormal and all forms of steampunk. So if your manuscript contains one or many of these elements, is COMPLETE, well written and ready to be seen by an editor, send it to me at: lfury@lperkinsagency.com

I look forward to reading your work!

-Louise

Repost

2010-06-18T21:06:00.005-04:00

As seen on AGENT IN THE MIDDLE

Sandy Lu just announced that she has finished query submissions until May 9th. She sorted through 300 today. Ten or 15 requests and she sent a few on to the other agents here.

I think we may actually be up to date in my lifetime!

Louise Fury says to add that if anyone is working on Steampunk romance, she wants to see it! And anything about South Africa, or by a South African author. Please include ATT: Louise in the subject line.

FYI: General Submissions: Lperkinsagency@yahoo.com

Flowers In June

2010-06-10T16:18:00.000-04:00

Today was filled with loveliness.

I spent the morning reading partial manuscripts, requested 3 fulls and caught up on email, queries and client phone calls before leaving for the office.

On my way to the L. Perkins Agency this morning these lovely ladies from Isabella Home and Community Services in Inwood were planting flowers on my street.

Have I told you I love my neighborhood?
Look at these beauties!

And then I got to the office and lo and behold! Steve Saxton, author of the papercutsinc.com office cartoon, just sent my colleague Marisa these amazing flowers. Keep tabs on Steve, because he is on his way to becoming the next Dilbert!

Oh what a beautiful day!

-L

Working Vacation

2010-05-23T22:15:00.002-04:00

I am in Minnesota visiting my husbands family. The wide open space is freaking me out and today a bird sh*t on my face. But it is quite beautiful here and his family is wonderful. So wonderful in fact, that I have enlisted their help.

I have tons of manuscript reading to do. Today I spent the early afternoon at a family reunion in the park and the later part of the afternoon reading a middle grade submission. I had some help from a lovely middle grade reader: Brandi.

Her brother, a recent college graduate also stepped up to the plate.

I felt lucky. But then 10 minutes later....

Yikes!

Gives a whole new meaning to bedtime reading.

-L

My Colleague Sandy Lu

2010-05-12T13:58:00.003-04:00

She is a fabulous agent and an inspiration!

Read about her here:
http://markhamvillagewriters.com/focus-on

Here is news of her latest sale.

Jennifer Dowis writing as Jennifer Harlow's MY FAIR PSYCHIC.

It is the first in an urban fantasy series featuring a young school teacher with telekinetic abilities who joins the Rogue's Gallery, a secret branch of the FBI that solves crimes committed by supernatural beings, and finds herself fighting zombies and ghouls while caught between the attention of her vampire and werewolf teammates.

Plus two more (sales) in the series, TO CATCH A VAMPIRE and DEATH TRIES TO TAKE A HOLIDAY. (Sold) to Terri Bischoff at Midnight Ink, in a nice deal, for publication in 2011, by Sandy Lu at L. Perkins Agency (world).

Not only is she a fabulous agent, but she is a wonderful person.
Her clients are very lucky indeed.

Life is Fabulous!

2010-05-04T23:00:00.001-04:00

Tonight was the night!
I took on a new fabulous client!
I hosted a wonderful publishing party with Lori Perkins and the NXNY crowd.
And this is just the beginning.

A Publishing Cocktail Party in NYC

2010-04-27T10:53:00.005-04:00

#NXNY presents ... The 2^ndofficial PCP in NYC, A Publishing Cocktail Party on Tuesday May 4^th, 2010, 6:30pm @The Village Pourhouse UWS http://villagepourhouse.com/

Yes, my friends, it is happening again. This time, as the hosts for the month of May, we (Louise Fury and Lori Perkins of the L. Perkins Literary Agency) are moving the party north…all the way up to W108th Street. But don’t fret; we will make your trip to the nosebleed section of Manhattan worth your while.

We have used our negotiating skills to score a cab tab. Yep, that’s right! If you take a cab to this event (the proof is in the receipt), the bartender will match your proven cab fare in the form of a bar tab. No more excuses not to travel uptown.

But that’s not all… (An agent’s job is never done). If you get there on time, that’s 6:30 p.m., happy hour will be in full swing until 7 p.m. That means 30 minutes of 2 for 1 margaritas, Absolut cocktails, Pyrat Rum and cokes or Cruzan Mojitos.

But what happens at 7 p.m.? Well, there’s a Facebook special with half- price appetizers from 7 p.m. onward. $3 Bud light drafts and $3 Bud Light Draft + shot. You can become a Facebook Fan at the venue that evening. And finally, for those that want some cheese factor—I know of at least one of you—I hear there is even karaoke.

Now, email this invitation to everyone (only the fun ones) in the publishing industry in NYC and tell them why they have to be there.

Go to http://nxny.eventbrite.com/ to register for the event and then spread the word by sharing. Just click the social networking buttons.

What is #NXNY? A group of dynamic publishing professionals living and/or working in New York City and surrounding areas, who get together to share war stories and drink cocktails (preferably with umbrellas in them.) (The cocktails, not the publishing people.)

****DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS.****

UPDATE 4/27 @ 1:45pm -->

The venue just confirmed that we will be allowed to use

The Sky Box

It has a 40 person capacity, this room is complete with:

Three 42" HD TVs
Private sound system
Private tap system
Accessible to and overlooks Red Light Bar
Private staff

Exploring Steampunk with O.M. Grey: Book blog

2010-04-20T09:31:00.001-04:00

Exploring Steampunk with O.M. Grey: Book blog

Posted using ShareThis

L.Perkins Literary Agency

2010-03-29T10:29:00.000-04:00

I am navigating the slush pile looking for the next big thing.
What are you doing?

Bookstores a World Apart.

2010-02-22T11:56:00.000-05:00

A while ago I posted about how expensive books are in South Africa over HERE, now I want to show you how RARE they are. First let me start by saying that NYC has spoiled me. There are large bookstores all over Manhattan, small independent stores, though rare, often have hidden out-of-print treasures. Then of course you have the Strand Bookstore---one bookstore with 18 miles of books. It's a reader's dream come true.

My husband and I spend most of our free time reading and the other part of it perusing bookstores all over Manhattan. It's what we do. So imagine our frustration when we went looking for bookstores in Cape Town and could not find any. We had to drive 45 minutes to a large mall, where we had to walk around for half an hour before finding a quaint store (a South African chain) that was one-third coffee shop. As I perused the aisles looking for Romance Novels I was shocked when I found this!

And that was it. One bookshelf was all there was in the Romance section. There was also a small paranormal section and a larger fantasy section, but this was all the romance there was. I wanted to cry for my fellow romance-reading South Africans. The pickings were slim. But then after a few deep breaths I took a closer look. Maybe it wasn't all bad. I saw Tessa Dare's second book. A few others I recognized and then I hit gold. One entire shelf was dedicated to Little Black Dress Books. books published in the UK and not sold in NYC...I had found a little piece of heaven.

So I gathered up a pile to sift through and decided to mull over it with a cup of Rooibos tea.

So it wasn't all bad. I mean I bought all of them, and while I was happy about my favorite find, A Most Lamentable Comedy,( had been on my TO-FIND list since the NJ RWA conference), I couldn't help but feel grateful for the life I live in NYC.

A life of ample books, bargain prices and easy access.

My kind of life.

What's your bookstore like?

NYC snow day.

2010-02-10T14:28:00.006-05:00

NYC is covered in snow. When I look out the window this is what I see.
Beautiful isn't it?

Whats a girl to do but spend the morning writing and the afternoon playing Wi with a bunch of cool kids?

There is nothing better.

What are you up to?

Books in the US are cheap!!!!

2010-02-09T07:19:00.003-05:00

When people complain about the prices of books in America, I cringe. My husband explains why over on his blog www.shawnfury.com, but I have cut and pasted it here because I think it's important to be grateful for Americas affordable reading material.

Respecting books

from Shawn's Blog by Shawn Fury

When Louise first visited my old apartment in Fargo, she was dismayed to see the number of books I haphazardly tossed into corners or stacked on the floor. Not even the mountain of clothes piled in the closet disgusted her that much. The month-old milk carton loitering in the fridge didn't affect her, but those books did.

Dozens of books littered the two-bedroom apartment, paperbacks sharing space with hardcovers sporting tattered cover pages. The inside pages had line after line polluted by underlined passages. She wondered why I wasn't treating the books with the respect they deserved, which confused me because I thought I'd done just that by buying them and reading every word.

"The written word's a precious thing," she said. "Books have to be handled with care." She sounded like she was talking about a 6-week-old child or a 2-month-old puppy.

I agreed with her first sentence and couldn't find much fault with the second one, though our ideas about proper care for a book differed. Burning them? No. But if a book is worn and appears well-read, with dog-eared pages, that to me indicated it was a great book, one that I enjoyed more than once. And these weren't rare used books I mishandled. It could be a standard John Grisham thriller about a plucky lawyer bucking the odds or a Stephen Ambrose book about World War II. Anything with binding, numbered pages and a cover.

She yelped when she'd see me toss a book on a couch or throw it to the floor from the bed. Eventually she revealed the reason for her obsessive behavior. Books were extremely expensive growing up in Cape Town. Rarely could she afford to buy one. When she did purchase a book, she treated it like the rare piece of art it was to her. It took her several years in America to realize that we can buy a mystery thriller for seven bucks, and a nonfiction tome for 15 or 20 dollars. Still, even today, she maintains this reverence for the actual physical product. It must be loved and cared for, a treasure that should never be taken for granted. Use a bookmark, don't just spread it out when marking the spot at the end of the day.

I thought she was crazy then for this vigilance. That opinion hadn't changed much over the years. It might be changing a bit, now that I've taken a tour of some South African bookstores.

The exchange rate right now is about 7:1. So a book that costs $20 would be about 140 rand. In America we can buy one of James Patterson's 156 paperbacks for maybe 9 bucks. Or a Greg Iles one for $7.99. But in Cape Town, those books were going for R175, sometimes R190. For a paperback mystery or a romance novel. Would anyone pay the equivalent of $25 for a book with a half-naked Fabio on the cover, aside from Fabio himself?

Nonfiction was an even more depressing story. Vincent Bugliosi's book Four Days in November, which dissects Kennedy assassination conspiracies, would cost about $20 in the States. In Cape Town, at Exclusive Books? R420. I've read Bugliosi's book. Enjoyed it. Fully endorse his arguments about the death of JFK. But I wouldn't pay the equivalent of $60 for it, even if it revealed the Cubans conspired with the CIA and the mob to knock Kennedy off, all under the evil direction of Lyndon Johnson.

The bargain book bin offered no help. Each book carrying a discounted marker seemed like the type of book you'd give as a present to a hated cousin or a blind grandmother. An intimate biography of Robbie Williams, which has nearly as many pictures as words? For R70?

Wandering through the bookstore gave me all the evidence I needed to know why Louise rarely bought a book as a kid and helped me understand her maniacal need to care and protect them. If I spent $25 for something adorned with Fabio's laughable locks and masculine looks, I would never even crack open the book. I'd stuff it in an airtight container, protecting it from elements and human hands.

And these prices are in a country where the average income is dwarfed by what the average worker in America earns. So the people make less and are expected to pay much more for the same products. In Cape Town, the median annual income is about 25,000 rand, or less than $7,000 a year. How much money do people have to spend on books?

All of this is why we pack as many books as possible for trips to South Africa. Most of them are paperbacks we read back in America. We give them to Louise's mom and stepfather, who are avid readers. They devour each offering. It seems ludicrous for them to have to spend money on books we can purchase for half the price. We're a human bookmobile, bringing Stephen King and Jonathan Kellerman to the South African masses, or at least Louise's family.

I've always thought of books as treasures. But it wasn't until I visited a South African bookstore that I realized just how valuable they can be. So respect that trashy Harlequin novel or poorly sourced sports biography. Or mail it to someone in South Africa who will really appreciate it.

Borders Readers Blog

2010-02-06T03:27:00.011-05:00

Today, my blog post BOOKS ON A PLANE goes up on Sue Grimshaw's wonderful True Romance Borders Blog. I write about my plane trip to Cape Town, South Africa, and the ordeal it was to carry my many piles of reading material in my handbag. I am greedy for books and can never have enough of them. If I could, I would buy every romance book ever published.

Here are some of the books I packed for my crazy long trip to Cape Town.

Check out my post on the Borders Blog by clicking here!

My handbag, overflowing with books.

Me reading while we wait for them to change a tire. It took 3.5 hours.

I had a great flight and when I return early next week, I intend to head back over to Borders for the new releases I missed out on while here in Cape Town.

Authors Guild loses a good one!

2009-12-24T14:45:00.002-05:00

Ursula LeGuin's resignation letter to the Author's Guild.
Go Ursula, you inspire bravery and strength of conviction in us all!

Tonights Gonna Be a BIG night!

2009-12-22T10:42:00.005-05:00

Tonight, like every Tuesday evening, I am going over to my my friend Michelle's house for delicious eats, wine, writing and critiquing.

I am cooking an assortment of delicious curried things.
Here is the menu.

Bhindi Masala --curried green veg
Gobi -- spicy yellow cauliflower
12 spice Punjabi Chhole--Chick Pea Curry

Homemade Mango Lassi will be served and I am going to try to make some yogurt and cucumber concoction.

Michelle will have to make the rice. I cannot for the life of me cook rice.

I would promise to post pics, but I doubt I will keep that promise because no matter if I take the photos, its the uploading and posting of them that overwhelms my techno-phobic mind.

It should be a yummy night!

Now, can I head to the gym, do some Christmas shopping, shower, grocery shop, prep the essentials of the meal and write 5 pages by 6pm?
Better hop to it.

-L

UPDATE*** Michelle cant cook rice either. I guess I will have to pick some up at a chinese restaurant. Do other people have this problem?

Can't Wrap This!

2009-12-18T09:08:00.004-05:00

Holiday time is fast approaching and it is getting quite festive in our apartment.
The tree is up, presents are being wrapped and my husband's wrapping skills are all over the place. The amount of paper and tape that man uses is beyond anything I have ever seen before. One good thing (Bad thing) is that his gifts are "almost" peek proof because of it.

I on the other hand have perfected the wrap in a snap technique. My gifts are wrapped with precision and speed. Want to see me in action? Well you can.
On Christmas Eve, my friends and I will be wrapping gifts at Barnes and Noble at 66th and Broadway for KidsVCancer--a very worthy cause founded by a good friend. We will be downstairs till midnight.

On that note, this video cracked me up.
Enjoy!

A Romance Reading

2009-12-10T12:26:00.003-05:00

I found this quite by accident. But boy am I glad that I did.

I couldn't stop laughing, but worst of all, now I cant wait to read it. What does this say about me?

Do yourself a favor. Watch this to the end! ADULTS ONLY. And do not watch it at work, it sounds quite deliciously dirty! But is it?
The reader did such a fantastic job!

The Pirate and the Pagan by Virginia Henley

My Favorite Book Trailers

2009-12-06T21:08:00.002-05:00

My friend and critique partner Tarra and I were discussing book trailers.
After careful thought and much Googling, it seems that when I am watching a book trailer, and picturing the unknown world of a new book, that I don’t want the characters to be revealed too much. I don’t want to hear their screams or their voices or see too much of their faces.

I don't like book trailers that mimic movie trailers. I want still images, not real moving images. I like it even better when authors use the cover of THE book. A LOT.
That way I get to see the cover, from multiple angles. It not only sets the tone for me, it engraves the book into my mind.
If I like it, when I see it in the bookstore, I wont leave it behind!

With a movie, I am watching it, observing it and enjoying it. I am not using my brain at all and I WANT to be told what they main characters look like, sound like, smell like.

I think it is because I use completely different sides of my brain for each.

For a book, I want to be told about the concept, the plot, the points of interest. I want a peek at the way the words will move and sound together and then I want to create and envision the world with my imagination, using the tools given to me by the author.

To be interested in a book and to truly enjoy a book, I have to build most of the characters and the world in my head.
Instead of talking and screams, I want to hear the music that will set the tone and mood of the story, I want to feel the music and yearn to read the word.

Speaking of trailers. What do you think of these?

Sins of Lord Easterbrook: Madeline Hunter

I walked by this book in the bookstores, maybe five times, never once buying it. A few weeks later, after seeing this book trailer I bought the book. And I LOVED it.

SECRETS OF SURRENDER- Madeline Hunter

I think I would love this book... but I hate the trailer!
And quite frankly, when I was in the bookstore, deciding which 6 books a week I should buy, if I had a seventh in my hand, this book always made it back on to the shelf, because I thought of this trailer. If someone has read it and loved it, please let me know.

Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas.
One of my favorites.

TO LOVE A SCOUNDREL by Kristina Cook

Short and Effective..I think I will pick this one up.

Scandal By Carolyn Jewel

I Loved this trailer! Bought the book..and then bought all her other books!

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

2009-12-04T10:42:00.001-05:00

Today is filled with opportunities to exceed my own expectations. I just have to recognize and compartmentalize and utilize them.
Wish me luck!

I'M OBSESSED

2009-12-01T13:50:00.000-05:00

I'm Obsessed part 2

2009-12-01T12:16:00.000-05:00

I'm Obsessed Part 3

2009-12-01T01:53:00.000-05:00

A Day of Thanks and Giving.

2009-11-25T15:11:00.006-05:00

I am not American, but I think the idea of giving thanks on one particular day is a great idea. I think that to do it every day would be a marvelous idea too. But to make a national holiday called Thanksgiving is ingenious.

How or why the holiday originated, who was killed and what happened is really not very important to me. But as a foreigner, I respect the cultural and family aspect of it. I love the food, I love the stories, the colors and the idea of giving thanks.

So in the true spirit of the word, my husband and I are going to do both. We are going to be thankful and giving!

Shawn and I are going to be skipping the traditional Thanksgiving...sort of.
We are going to a movie-marathon...3 movies in a row. We will head out to Times Square early in the morning and choose 3 movies we think might be fun. It will be just the 2 of us. We will give thanks for that.
The past few years I have hosted Thanksgiving at my apartment. Kind of a displaced-(grownup)-orphans Thanksgiving of sorts. By the end of the day, my apartment is a mess and we are exhausted. So this year we are going to take the year off. This year we are going to sit in a comfortable chair---with our legs up and dangling over the seats in front of us--- in an empty theater (we hope) and give thanks for no obligations to anyone but ourselves! We will arrive home, have a thanksgiving dinner and relax the night away.

Thanksgiving is going to be great! We will be giving each other the freedom of rest.

Icky sicky

2009-11-02T10:31:00.006-05:00

Read a WIP with a fresh new plot twist and sexy dialogue and fell asleep thinking of the possibilities.

Then I woke up on Sunday morning feeling tired, achy and just plain lousy.

Alas it was not from my late night of editing...
I was sick, still am.
So I spent yesterday in bed--I literally slept the day away.

I have decided that I am going to take it easy today, so that I will be up for all things tomorrow.

Sometimes sleep is all we need. Now if someone could just bring me a bowl of ice-cream in bed, things would really start looking up!

Frustration at every turn

2009-10-28T15:12:00.001-04:00

I am dying here.
I think I need to write some of this on paper. While on the laptop, I keep deleting entire paragraphs.
I am so frustrated.
I'm turning off the computer and turning to the primitive "quill". If it was good enough for Jane Austen, then its good enough for me.
Ah well it's an experiment.

Sorry for the rant!

NJ Romance Writers Conference

2009-10-23T09:27:00.003-04:00

I am in New Jersey.

Last night the aroma of pot filled our hallways...not the worst thing.
Internet service in our room is down.
The coffee is weak and the customer service weaker.
The air in our room is hot and dry, the duvet a giant cloud of suffocating goose-fluff that reeks of industrial bleach.

Still, I am having the best time. Why is that?

I have not written a word, but I have eaten sushi and swallowed lots of wine.
My roommate is fabulous.
The hotel is filled to the brim with lovely ladies, most of whom write romance novels.
And......
Happy Hour starts at 3pm...which is only 5 1/2 hours away!

Genre do. genre dont!

2009-10-12T15:08:00.002-04:00

Buried In the Slush Pile has a great post on writing the genre that's inside you, not the one the market insists you try.

My favorite line in the post:
Remember, what's written for the heart is almost always better than what's written for the market.
So true!

You write a book, then what?

2009-10-12T13:23:00.003-04:00

Now days publishers are tight with their money and many are not eager to shell out a dime for new authors to promote their work.
Even if promotion could in many cases mean more sales for them.
What then is an author to do?

Well, you take your book, hit the web and then the road. Just like those door-to-door salesmen of years ago.

Here is one author who,(with no help from her publisher) hit the bestsellers list.

Washington Post

I am sure her publisher will be funding her next endeavor, with loads of dough!
Thanks for the info Washington Post!

3-WAY

2009-09-21T23:38:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow my critique partners and I are planning a writing marathon of epic proportions.
It involves 3-way chatting, Dr. Wicked and a word count meter.

I plan on writing while sipping iced coffee on a patio overlooking the ocean, so I had better be inspired or else there is no hope for me.

A SAD DAY INDEED

2009-09-12T10:56:00.001-04:00

Philadelphia is closing all of its libraries

Click to Link.

Inwood Press

2009-09-12T02:27:00.001-04:00

Hubby and I made the papers
Click here to read more.

Remember This?

2009-09-12T02:00:00.002-04:00

If you know me well, you do. It happened Wednesday, July 12, 2006

A montage of memories.

My ex-charge left a message on my cell phone 2 days ago.
It was so great to hear her sweet 7-year-old voice. She sounded so grown up. Was she always that mature?
It has already been one month since I said goodbye and yet if feels like yesterday. I called her back a few hours later and as soon as she heard my voice she let out squeals and pants and cries. I couldn't get a word in edge-wise. Then she started whining and complaining about not seeing me, telling me how sad she was and how I had to call her mother and make a trip out to the Hamptons to visit them. This is all after I said Hi and before I said anything else.

It was sad to hear her lovely, but tear-filled voice, we spoke for about 3 minutes before she calmed down and I reassured her that I would make a trip out to see them. As I spoke to her I kept thinking about how little she was when I met her. She was asleep in her crib, surrounded by 5 or 6 pacifiers, wearing a diaper and not much else.
She was so cute.
I remember when I picked her up she felt so light in my arms. Her little blue eyes peering out at me with suspicion from behind her blond, page-boy styled hair. I fell in love with her almost instantly.
It was love at first sight.
For 5 years, we spent 5 out of every 7 days together. I taught her to use the potty and climbed into the pool with her swim coach once a week, holding her in my arms while he taught me how to teach her to swim. I watched proudly as she learnt to stand on her tippy-toes in ballet class and beat the drums at Diller Quaille school of music. I squealed with delight as she demonstrated to me how her parents had taught her to eat with chopsticks. I sat in the waiting room for hours at her pre-school, just in case she might need me, sympathized with her mother when her first days of kindergarten were hard, made her lunch while teaching her to color inside the lines and made sure I always carried band-aids in my bag for those unexpected tumbles in the playground. I made myself busy while her mom read her book after book, making sure to give them the privacy they needed, looked on, watching their dynamic and learning as they baked chocolate-chip cookies together.

A week before I left, I taught her how to ride a two-wheel bike without so much as a scratch on her knee. Those days passed so fast and now they are only a montage of memories for me. I wonder where all that time went and why it went so fast. I remember looking at her and knowing time was flying by me and that every day was a new step for her and that if I didn't nurture every minute it would be lost. I never lost sight that I was being paid to make sure that this little girls every waking moment was something special. I always reminded myself that it was my job to teach her, to help mold her, to keep her safe to encourage her and luckily for me, her parents were an eager part of the process.

The first year I worked 35-hour weeks, then after my 3rd charge was born, for 3 years I worked 12 hour days, sometimes 65 hour weeks. No wonder it was exhausting.... but I didnt care. They were just so fabulous that it did not even feel like work.
Finally, as they grew and went to school and I got married, it whittled back down to 30-hour weeks. The one thing about nannying that I am grateful for, is the ability to know that time goes by so fast. So many parents don't realize that every passing day disappears and doesn't come back.
For me I know now, that when I have my own children I should enjoy every minute, because as I have noted will all the children I have taken care of, time moves quickly and they grow so fast. The first year I was a nanny, time stood still.
I was still in college in South Africa and I only had to work half days, but that first year was hard. I loved the kids, but it was a trying time. I was learning something new every day, but phew it was a difficult time. On the second batch of children, it was easier. Then the third, it was instinctual and even easier than the last. The more children I helped raise the easier it got, the more I learned, the more I grew. By the time I reached this last family, I was fluid and carefree.

Life was easy, potty training was a breeze, napping, sleep time, dinner ....Everything was easy, because I had done it so many times before with so many families.
I realize that this is how new parents must feel.
That first child is so new that everything seems overwhelming. For me, that was one of the best parts about being a nanny. Calming the parents, helping them learn, reminding them that time flies by in spite of us. While talking to the 7-year-old, I felt so fulfilled, knowing I had done my job.
She is polite, friendly, the perfect hostess and oh so delightful and creative.
Then I heard the little newly-4-year-old yelling in the background that it was her turn. When she eventually pulled the phone out of her sisters hands I heard a little bit of a fight and then this sweet, fresh voice started talking to me.
I almost cried.
This voice of the little baby I held in my arms 3 hours after her birth, this little voice belonging to the little angel I cradled in my arms and rocked to sleep while walking up and down Manhattan's West Side streets at 8pm. The little girl who never left my side for 4 years.
A beautiful cherub of a girl, with curls, sparkling white teeth and chubby cheeks.T he little girl who called me Weezie.

Talking to them was harder than I thought. While I know they want me back, I have to fight the urge to stay for another year, because it would be so easy for me to just go back and to never move forward with my own life. It is so enticing. They are intoxicating and lovely and perfect and their parents are fabulous. Going back full time would be too easy, moving ahead is difficult.

But I like difficult.
I need a challenge.
I need a change!

Their mom left me a message today about visiting them in the next week or so, and I will, but not so soon.
I have things to do in the city and then I will call and make a date to visit.

I can't wait...but I must.
I have to remember to put my needs first.
When it comes to them, it is a hard habit to break.

My Hometown

2009-08-24T19:59:00.001-04:00

This is what I am doing instead of writing.

The Perfect Weather for Writing

2009-08-20T21:20:00.002-04:00

This was my neighborhood a few nights ago.

Video courtesy of ManhattansPeak

My Husband

2009-08-14T17:29:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the world of Blogging Honey!

www.shawnfury.blogspot.com

He is seriously talented and has a unique way with words that stole my heart years ago and continues to leave me in awe.

Inspiration

2009-08-11T14:19:00.002-04:00

WOW. I am blown away by Maggie Shayne.

I picked up a free copy of her book bloodline at RWA in DC this past July.
Then today I found out via twitter that she is about to embark on quite a journey--A complete manuscript in 40 days and 40 nights.

It has inspired me to do something similar on a smaller scale. I need time to think about it, so I am going to spend the day reading her blog archives while daydreaming and putting into place my own endeavor.

Thank you Maggie.

Title and Tagline

2009-08-04T15:48:00.000-04:00

A TIME TO CHANGE

If you knew your future, would you change your past?

-

Hard at work

2009-06-18T19:07:00.001-04:00

I had a very full day today. Was up and out of my apartment at the break of Dawn. Ran some errands on the Upper West Side, went for a few beauty treatments --- French Manicure, Brow Shaping and the dreaded WAX--Ouch!

But then, what began as an average rain, turned into a torrential downpour. I was running along Broadway with my laptop strapped to my chest under a giant umbrella and took refuge at a Starbucks.
I ended up working at a small round table in the corner, sipping hot coffee, eating a slice of lemon cake and enjoying the sound of the rain on the other side of the glass. Being that I not not had a moment to myself in 3 weeks, this was a very good thing!

A new Middle Grade Novel is burning a hole inside me. I love it so much!
Is there anything better than Children's Fiction?

Publish Post

A Brownstone in Manhattan

2009-04-24T20:18:00.002-04:00

That's where I am.
Sitting in the library of a 5 story brownstone working on another chapter of this book.

And wonder of all wonders, the scene I am drafting takes place in a wonderful, woody and warm library just like this one. The only difference is that I am on the affluent Upper West Side of NYC in 2009 and the scene takes place in Berkley Square London 1815.

The similarity?
Both governess' have just put their charges to bed.