Fake agency alert: Dan Baror International Literary Agency, obviously trying to trick writers into believing they're being contacted by Baror International Inc. (a real agency). The About Us page has been "borrowed", in re-worded form, from the real Baror website danbaror-intliteraryagency.com

It is a day for scams, apparently! An outfit called Literary Curator purports to provide various writer-related services, including editing, but the testimonials on its website, apparently from real writers, are 100% fake--with fake Xitter accounts to match substack.com/home/post/p-...

I’m pretty new to watching anime, but I started Sakamoto Days a couple weeks ago and the newest season/episode released today on Netflix and it’s just so good! Not for everyone, but I’m enjoying it.

365 days straight of Japanese! But please do not attempt to converse with me in Japanese! I will fail you! 😂

Okay we’ve moved past the squirrels in chapter 2 of draft 1. It remains untitled, so I’m curious to see what that will end up being. This book is already kind of fun and I hope to keep some of the lighthearted aspects throughout the story.

This “working” brunch was sooooo good! I can’t wait to do it again!

Oh, so you want to be a writer? I started working on my new middle grade horror & my entire first chapter is about squirrels. 🤷🏻‍♀️ No, my MC doesn’t understand animal language/thoughts. This is just my brain at work. But also, where is this story going? It’s a journey for sure! 🤣

Get back to work!! 🙈

I started working on my next WIP and got a little over 200 words down. I wanted to see what my daughter thought of it because she’s my target audience’s age. I read it out loud and noticed her making a few faces as I read. When I finished she said, “It’s kind of confusing. I don’t really get it.”

WAKE, starring: FMC: "Never Not Gonna Dance Again" by Pink Love Interest: "Dancing with Your Shadows" by Phillip Phillips Foil: "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson Mentor: "Demons" by Imagine Dragons Antagonist: "Raining Blood" by Slayer #unhingedpit #Q #YA #F #M #R #MH

After being left at the altar, Charlie gave up on love. As he investigates an airline acting as hitmen, he learns that love doesn't have to end in heartbreak. Sometimes it's found in a fun-loving journalist with a fear of flying, but he must be willing to let love begin again. #SwiftiePitch #C #R #A

Me to group text: Hear me out. BFFs: Oh no. Me: I found this jar. BFFs: You didn’t touch it, did you? Me: There’s a human thumb in my room, in a fairy garden. BFFs: So you touched it. Me: There wasn’t a warning label or directions. I thought it’d be okay! #UnhingedPit #MG #H #Q

MISSED CONNECTION Me: Quiet kid who wishes for more. You: The girl who destroyed my dreams & made me strive for better. Want to meet? I’ll be the one at the dance with the wish-granting thumb. You can be the one I exact my revenge on. #UnhingedPit #MG #H #Q

Me to group text: Hear me out. BFFs: Oh no. Me: I found this jar. BFFs: You didn’t touch it, did you? Me: There’s a human thumb in my room, in a fairy garden. BFFs: So you touched it. Me: There wasn’t a warning label or directions. I thought it’d be okay! #UnhingedPit #MG #H #Q

AITA: Found a human body part in the woods, now I have visions of grandeur & revenge against the popular kids that embarrassed me at last year’s dance.I fell for the girl that lead the charge against me, but the thumb I found insisted on vengeance. #UnhingedPit #MG #H #Q

After a much-needed break, I’m back to work on my WIP. I have no idea where I’m going with it, so I’m pantsing it for now. I’m usually more of a plotser. Wish me luck!

I could watch rug cleaning ASMR videos for way longer than I’d like to admit.

Confession: I’ve never seen HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. 😬 But I was in college when it came out and working and had no idea about it until years later.

not closing to queries, but my replies will be delayed for a little while as I focus on client work and finishing the fulls I’ve already requested. I’m caught up to about halfway through June on query replies - if you queried back in May and haven’t heard, it’s in my maybe pile!

@justinepwinans.bsky.social This made me squeal and I thought you’d think it was cute, too! youtu.be/EKUC2HrUpNg?...

Anyone else watching Summerween videos on YouTube? 🙋🏻‍♀️

Shoutout to agented authors who post/share who their agents are! I feel like us unagented authors miss a lot if we only use QueryTracker since not every agent is on there.

I can’t be the only person who watches short videos of people getting their hair dyed. I just think it’s so cool and the colors turn out so pretty! It’s been at least 10 years since I dyed my hair, so this scratches that itch for me.

I hate clowns. My daughter saw an opportunity to surprise me at work and took it.

Got to see my friend’s book in the wild at Barnes and Noble! #METALSLINGER by Rachel Schneider

Just reversed the door on my dryer all by myself with my very own drill. 💪🏻 Thank goodness for how-to videos on YouTube. Scariest part was separating the 2 sides of the door to get to the hinges. 😬 And dropping a screw…

Aaaaand guess what stage I'm at now....

On the hunt for a literary agent but unsure where to look? Here are 3 great places to start: 🔍

I noticed most of my selfie pics are showing the right side of my face. It’s not because I have a favorite side or angle; I’m just right-handed. 😂

My friend Rachel’s book re-released today!!! #MetalSlinger is an amazing story, and I’m so excited to read the sneak peak for book 2, LIGHT WIELDER!

The kids and I saw a cute play at a local theater and I’m so glad they enjoy things like this as much as I do. I’m searching for our next one!

Womp womp. Well, I tried. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 Maybe I wasn’t ‘stitious enough. 🤣

I wouldn’t mind getting an offer of rep on Friday the 13th. That’s very on-brand for me. 👀 Just putting it out there. #amquerying

Even though I know I shouldn’t, I can’t help but refresh my inbox multiple times on a Sunday. 😅 #amquerying

Tried a new coffee truck today and WOW! Super smooth and no bitterness!

I’ve answered all queries so I’m doing a soft re-open, narrowing down my #MSWL to focus on areas I didn’t receive many queries when I initially opened. I’d 🩷 to see your chapter books, MG: contemporary, MG: nonfiction, MG: novel in verse, YA: contemporary, & YA: novel in verse

Just a tired teacher who moved classrooms for the past 2 days. Any agents want to help me get a book deal so I can fund my new room? 😅 #amquerying

Agents read thousands of opening pages every year. If yours starts with someone waking up, a bullying scene, or a dream—prepare for a hard pass. Here’s how to avoid cliché openings and hook your reader from page one. A thread 🧵🪓 #writingcommunity

I’m open to queries through the 7th! I am on the hunt for MG and YA mysteries/thrillers, gothic horror, and intricate, inventive fantasy! I’m especially looking for stories from BIPOC and queer writers. Check out my updated wishlist here: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/al... #mswl

Got the news that I’m leaving my beloved 3rd grade & going to 4th grade. My first 3 years of teaching were spent in 3rd, so it’s kind of poetic that I’m entering my 4th year as a teacher by going into 4th grade. I’m anxious, to put it lightly. This is my first “book haul” for my 4th grade students.

Today June 1! Wow, that has snuck up on me. Due to some unexpected medical issues, I am behind on queries (March queries, I see you—if you haven’t heard from me, I’m still considering!). I will remain open June 1-7 nonetheless and my #mswl hasn’t changed. I am excited to read what comes my way!

Here- first teaser. Much more to come…

UPDATE: I'm currently open to queries for historical romance (yes, that's new!!!), romcom, contemporary romance, dark romance, romantasy, horror, women's fiction, and adult nonfiction. For more deets, go to my #MSWL page: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/ly...

FYI, I’ll be automatically reopening to queries June 1–10 (with the exception of no picture book queries for now). I’m still playing catchup, so my response time will likely be slower. I’ll reevaluate after that and may close to more categories in July based on what I discover in the slush.

Bookish event in June!! If you’re around Chicago on June 21st and enjoy wine and reading, I’d love to see you there!

One more day to enter! Comment or like the post below

Day 4 Accountability! I missed yesterday. 😅 I really need to try to do this in the mornings. I have every excuse not to get on the treadmill after work or after making dinner. Mornings would start my day off right! I’d just need to get up an hour earlier. 😬🥱😴

Question for agents, because I just thought of this: if you requested an R&R and receive it, do you go in making edit notes or go in just reading to experience the new story for the first time? I feel like I wouldn’t be able to help but make notes if I already really enjoyed the first version I saw.