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Sandra Proudman Interview
Sandra Proudman is a proud Mexican-American author and literary agent at the Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency. She graciously took the time to answer my questions in her first interview for her debut novel, Salvación. Enjoy!
1. To start from the beginning, who are some of your literary inspirations?
It’d be too hard to just name a few folks, but truly, I feel like I learn from everyone and everything. That’s really what inspires my work, from how a flock of birds look flying overhead to my toddler’s favorite movies like The Croods to authors that I’ve admired and loved for a long time to those I discover for the first time.
2. How did you get your start as an agent?
I knew I wanted to become a literary agent after years of mentoring. I loved Pitch Wars, AMM, DVMentor, and getting the chance to work with authors, especially marginalized authors, to further their career goals was always so fulfilling.
I started at GZLA as an intern during the midst of the start of the COVID pandemic, and am now working full-time for the agency and am getting the chance to hold my absolute dream job.
3. You’re also a committee member to #LatinxPitch, please share what that is?
#LatinxPitch is a yearly pitch that gives Latinx kidlit creatives a chance to have a pitch event that is just for them, and I’m so happy to be a part of it. We’ve had many success stories of authors and illustrators finding agents or editors for their projects form the event, and there’s nothing that makes me happier than knowing that Latinx kids will have more books available to them because of this event.
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Mr. and Mrs. X
Well, you’ve got me at a delightful time when after watching X-Men ’97, I’m into a GambitxRogue obsession. Well moreso, Gambit, but they’re so so good together!
I mean, the endless tension where she cannot touch him without hurting him. He, the rougish (ha!) thief that is so devoted to her despite the struggles. The history, the loyalty, the passion. It’s delicious!
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Sept Books
Hera by Jennifer Saint
Hera usually gets a bad rap by modern perspectives. A shrew, a horrible mother, a jealous bitch are the most common modifiers. Her husband cheats but she punishes the mistresses instead of Zeus himself. Then again, it’s not like she can go on a one on one attack with the King of Gods. Last time she tried, he tied her above a flaming circle for decades.
Yeah, it’s a very dysfunctional relationship.
(more…)#avonromance, #cinderella, #disney, #disneyhyperion, #enchanters, #fairygodmother, #fairytale, #fantasy, #feliciagrossman, #flatironbooks, #greekmythology, #hera, #historicalromance, #jencalonita, #jennifersaint, #marrymebymidnight, #middlegrade, #prequel, #rachelreads&reviews, #regencyromance, #retellings, #snowwhite, #wakememostwickedly -
Book Highlight: Our Narrow Hiding Places
While in my happy place of Barnes & Noble, my mother and I stumbled upon an author’s promotion. Kristopher Jansma, like the rest of us, got to spend quality family time during the pandemic and it is in this isolation he got to learn more about his grandmother’s history in the Netherlands where she endured years of starvation under Nazi Occupation. Something that is rarely discussed in history books even in the country.
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Ranking Fifth Avenue Rebels
Shupe’s latest Gilded Age romance delivers on opulence, scandals and simmering romance so let’s get to it.
- The Lady Gets Lucky: This was a lovely book wit a nice share of character development for both. When shy Alice goes to Kit for seduction lessons so she may marry a man who’ll love her for her and not her dowry, they both end up falling hard. Kit is determined to open a supper club to prove that he is not the layabout wasteral his father says he is, seeding the insecurity that he’s “as deep as a puddle.” He hides behind a charming facade because he fears it’s all he really is. Meanwhile, Alice has deep insecurities that she’s too plain, too stupid, a nothing thanks to her mother’s constant criticisms. So they’re mutually pleasurable arrangement has surprising results besides orgasms. Alice begins to realize she does have worth, she shares her cooking skills in public, she gains confidence and starts to stand up for herself. And Kit realizes that just as he snubs his nose at society rules, he needs to snub his nose at his inner voice because he already knows his father’s a con, why should he believe his words about his worth. Best of all, they learn together.
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The Reckoning of Roku Review
It’s always a delight to return to the world of the Four Nations and the Avatar that keeps them in balance. Here, Ribay delves into one of the most well-known of them all, at least if you watched the original series. Roku, Aang’s predescessor whose friendship with Fire Lord Sozin is a bond turned tragic.
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Top 5 Caroline Years
After reading Laura Ingells Wilder’s classic Little House on the Prarie series, and then the sequel inspired by her daughter, The Rose Years. It’s only fitting to go back in time to mid 19th century to see the coming of age of Caroline Quiner, the beloved Ma of America’s famous pioneer family.
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Lina Girgis Interview
Lina Girgis is a poet and author of her thoughts past midnight. After meeting her at an author signing, she kidnly took the time to answer my questions on her journey and her poetry. Enjoy!
1. When did you begin writing?
I used to write all my life. I recently took a trip back home-my home is Egypt and moved to the US when I was 13 in 2013-this was my first trip since I left 11 years ago.
I actually found all the poetry I used to write when I was little, around 6 or 7, in Arabic. It was inspiring to see that folder and look back in the head of six year old Lina and how I expressed myself even though I didn’t know it was poetry.
So I could say I’ve been writing all my life. I stopped writing when I moved to the US because it was a drastic culture shock especially at thirteen which is already a tumultuous time period, dealing with the language difference, a new school, everything
I started writing again when I was senior year of college, around October 2021 as I was reconsidering my career in engineering along with other overwhelming things. Poety helped, I found my passion again.
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Book of the Month: 1st to Die
Well, we return to the formation of theMurder Club and wow, it’s been awhile since I read the book.
Awhile but I did remember key parts so the sequence of events and the serial killer reveal wasn’t too big of a surprise for me. Nor was it for my friend but she’s always been good at guessing the killer. She feels like a genius.
Still it was the usual Patterson mystery with quick description, tight pacing and a twisty plot. More of the appeal for me was seeing how much had changed for Lindsey Boxer since the beginning. Like the fact she spent the entire book battling a fatal anemia, concerned about her future and whether or not she’ll ever reach her goals of getting promoted, finding love etc. Just knowing it will all happen makes it surreal.
Same with seeing how young the rest of the club members feel with Cindy spunkily making her first big break when one knows that she’ll not only become a big time reporter but a big time author; Claire’s calm and cool demenour when knowing she has big traumas coming ahead; and Jill, poor Jill, I feel like she’s really forgotten as the series continued.
Same with Chris Raleigh, I completely forgot about him. Still he made a poignant emotional impact on Lindsey in the short space of time with their work-trauma bond, opening her up to the concept of love again. Could he be a rare case of male fridging?
My one nitpick would have to be with the epilogue that reveals the true mastermind behind the serial killer’s strategies. Even though the ending implies this is a real scene but the way Patterson wrote it, it felt more like a nightmare with sparse description, clustraphobic surroundings and distorted features, not a realistic ending.
Next up: Bobbie Faye’s very (very, very) bad day by Toni McGee Causey.
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Vanessa Riley Interview
Vanessa is the prolific, best-selling author of the Lady Worthing Mysteries series, Queen of Exiles, Rogues and Remarkable Women, and much more. From mystery to historical to regency, Vanessa puts strong, dynamic Black women and women of color in her novels in all their joy and complexity. She graciously took the time to answer my questions on her work. Please enjoy.
1. You have a PhD in mechanical engineering. How did you pivot to writing?
Even while pursuing my engineering career, I’ve always had a passion for storytelling. The analytical skills from my engineering background help me plot intricate stories, be adept at researching historical details, and bring additional insight into understanding how money flows in the past. My background lends to my fascination with materials and how things are made—more ways to draw a reader into appreciating the past.
Writing became a natural extension of my love for history, allowing me to explore new worlds and characters and engage readers in meaningful ways.
2. What are some of your biggest influences in writing?
My influences range from classic literature to contemporary authors. Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and Longfellow profoundly shaped my understanding of character and society. Additionally, Toni Morrison’s rich narratives and James Baldwin’s cultural insights have inspired me to delve deeper into the experiences of people, particularly marginalized people, throughout history.
3. What is it about the Regency period that has an enduring appeal for you and your audience?
The Regency period is a fascinating era of transition, filled with social and political changes. The elegance, wit, and drama of the time provide a rich backdrop for storytelling. It’s also about uncovering the untold stories of people of color who lived and thrived during this period, bringing a fresh and inclusive perspective to the genre.
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