Summer fun in NYC, how to work with early readers, + Generation Women’s Best Of show!
Welcome to my author newsletter, babes!
Greetings from yr friendly neighborhood novelist.
Monthly writing tips, pop culture recs, and secret peeks into the publishing process. Let’s go!
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My month of June was full of white wine spritzers (I love a cheeky spritz), eating watermelon and corn salad (I love a savory fruit situation), and finding ways to beat the heat (I love my collection of giant hats).
This month, I was fortunate enough to help kick off
’ book tour for You’re Safe Here by being in conversation with her at a sold-out event at P&T Knitwear on the LES. We had such a great conversation about her debut novel and lightweight questions like if she felt like she was living a meaningful life. I enjoyed the cheese plate of my dreams at my dear friend Phoebe’s classy AF baby shower. And my little family is spending the long hot days at Domino Park fountains, a splash pad right on the East River. Having a kid means a lot of time outdoors!But it’s not all book events and brie bites: I am working my sweet Aussie butt off right now. I’m aiming to finish the first draft of my new book by October and have got myself on a production schedule of 5,000 words a week. For me, this sort of schedule works: I am obsessively deadline-oriented, and quantifiable goals like word counts motivate me. I even got ahead to give myself time off for July 4 (I only have to crank out 3,000 words this week, so I can grill-and-chill all day Thursday). I’m loving this new book! It centers around something that has always meant a lot to me, especially as a teenager. It’s another ensemble queer romance that features two central couples. I’ll stay tight-lipped on the rest: watch this space.
This month, I also got my hands on the ARCs (advance copies) of MOST WONDERFUL, my queer Christmas romcom coming out this October 15th through the Dial Press. It’s about three siblings who reunite at their famous mom’s Catskills mansion, all at personal and professional crossroads, and having sworn off love … but the magic of the season has other plans for them! I can’t wait for you to check in for your stay at Belvedere Inn and fall in love with this family, and the objects of their affection. I’ll be launching it at Joe’s Pub that night (10/15) and at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn on Thursday October 17th with my friend
, fellow author/Substacker/host of the iconic Bad on Paper podcast. Save the dates, babes!I don’t read review sites to protect my mental health, but my team occasionally sends me highlights. This one made me smile: “Laugh out loud funny queer holiday rom-com. From top to power-bottom, it was seriously a MOST WONDERFUL reading experience.” Top to power-bottom! LOL.
MOST WONDERFUL is available to pre-order now.
MOST WONDERFUL is available to request on NetGalley now.
Enter the Goodreads giveaway to win a free copy!
In June, I worked with my first round of early readers on my new work-in-progress. I had my group read Part One, which I haven’t done in the past. Usually, I only get feedback on completed drafts. But I wanted more of a pulse check, figuring it would help me course-correct sooner, which it did! Early readers (or listeners/viewers—however you create your art) are invaluable and an important part of my process. Here’s how I work with them.
Pick your crew. My six early readers are current and former students who read contemporary queer romance. For me, that’s the most important qualifier—I need feedback from readers who would read this book even if I wasn’t asking them to! They know the landscape. It’s helpful that I’ve given editorial notes on their work, too (in that they know how to then give notes themselves), but that’s not essential. Being a fan of the genre I’m working in is.
Set a deadline and expectations. I typically give about six weeks for a read. I like to get notes as I give them, which is starting with what’s working, and then getting into constructive criticism. I didn’t send any questions or areas of concern for this read; I was curious to see what came back with no agenda.
Set a Zoom call. As well as requesting written notes (which are ideally in-doc comments, or a letter, or both!), I like to gather my readers for a group Zoom. This is helpful for a few reasons. It creates a dialogue between me and my readers. In addition to hearing their notes, I can then ask questions, gut check revision ideas, and brainstorm new directions.
Have the call/get the notes. I had my Zoom yesterday, which 4 of my 6 readers were able to make. It was incredibly generative and, as always, so interesting! I’m really looking for patterns in feedback, i.e., if more than one reader has a problem or issue with something, I need to reconsider. I’ve already got some major insights into ways I’m going to develop. Some ideas I’m going to share with my editors to see if they agree because they require a lot of work that I don’t want to do unnecessarily. Other things I’m still processing.
Process! Think! Decide! That’s the stage I’m at now. I’m still gathering all the written feedback and consolidating it into my Scrivener doc, which is the program I work in. If a reader has a note I don’t yet know how to address, it goes in the draft, which, right now, is an absolute disaster—open heart surgery, call the doctor, etc. I’m still figuring out what I’m acting on now and how, and what seems like outlier feedback or might not be an issue once the entire book comes together. It’s not easy! Especially when one reader loves a character and another doesn’t. I’m seeing that a lot in this round of feedback more than most. Tricky brain work. But that’s a part of how the (vegetarian) sausage gets made, folks.
Questions about process? Drop them in the comments.
Seven years ago, I founded a multi-generational storytelling night called Generation Women. This July, we're hosting our annual “Best Of” show on Thursday July 11th at Joe’s Pub, NYC. For the first time since launching the show, we are moving to TWO shows a night, 6.30pm AND 8.30pm. It’s a huge achievement, powered by the interest and support of our loyal community.
»»Tickets to 6.30pm show.
»»Tickets to 8.30pm show.
The Best Of show is, literally, the best. I’ve handpicked storytellers whose stories stayed with me: made me laugh, made me cry, made me think, made me reflect on the cycle of life and the complexity of the human experience. We have a story from a trans comedian about a full-circle moment of becoming just like her mother (relatable!); a story from an award-winning novelist about accidentally becoming a key part of the fight for equal pay in the 1970s; a story about discovering great sex in your fifties; and stories about finding one’s creative voice and true love.
The show is a wonderful experience to share with friends or family. Bring your mom or daughter, aunt or niece. Bring a multigenerational friend or grab a table for your co-workers! I promise to deliver an inspiring, feel-good night out that’ll leave you feeling hopeful and energized for your next chapter.
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I’m reading: Knife River by Justine Champine
This queer literary thriller has me under its spell! I typically read more plot-driven thrillers (I’ll read anything Lucy Foley writes, love all the Girl On A Train-type stuff), but Justine’s debut is not about shocking twists and big reveals. It’s quietly character-driven, about two sisters reunited many years after their mother’s disappearance by the discovery of her remains. Returning to her hometown of Knife River, narrator Jess explores her own grief, her complicated sister Liz, and the re-ignition of a relationship with her high school girlfriend. It’s intelligent, atmospheric, and beautifully written. For those who want a little darkness in their bright summer.
I’m (re)watching: all the Mission Impossible movies except the second one because it is *not* good
What can I say?! I love them. Maybe because it is soooo far from my own genre, maybe because they’re just so big, dumb, and fun! I love a summer blockbuster. The Bond movies are a bit too violent for me—these films aren’t so graphic and are more about spies wearing masks of each other’s faces and fights on the top of a speeding train. I was at a Pride book fair at Meta last week and saw Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman speak, who revealed they love the Fast & Furious movies! Never seen one. Maybe I’ll get into those next?!
Other than that, my final Romance Workshop for the year is now open for registration. Aspiring romance writers can join me Monday nights in September. Use code EARLY25 for $25 off. My Advanced and Beginner Storyteller Groups have begun and are so much fun: those working in personal essay and stories for the stage can find community, craft, and accountability in our monthly meet-ups. And I offer Book Coaching & Editing for writers of all kinds. Check out my site for testimonials and more info. I’d love to work with you!
“Georgia used her incredible knowledge of the publishing world to diagnose my project and provide actionable next steps. She guided me to figure out which path forward was the best fit. I appreciated the time we spent brainstorming together, as that is often the most lonely part of the writing process. Her honesty alone is invaluable. I’d highly recommend working with her.” — Katie Cline
That’s it for this month! If you’ve read this far, I’d be grateful if you click the “like” button below. Chat with me in the comments. I reply to every message and I’d love to hear from you!
5,000 words a week!! So many happy updates here! Amazed by your pace and all that you create. Thank you again for being such a wonderful moderator (and cheerleader/emotional supporter) last weekend in New York!