Love this post/interview! I'm fortunate enough to be repped by Thao too and she is so amazing and supportive, truly a super agent. <3 (Also, the stack of books as a laptop stand is so real LOL) I'm new to the Creative Inspired Happy community and I have to say that I've really been enjoying the podcasts---thanks for all you do Evelyn!
What a helpful piece that you wrote. I am relatively new to Substack (two weeks), and I needed to read your interview. Thank you for helping so many of us. You brought value to us.
🙌 wow that's so great that you are caught up. WOW 🤯 that's great to hear that she's writing and continuing to give us wonderful stories. I hope 🤞 to be writing in my 70s too!
Yes, I have watched a few seasons. I'm alittle behind now. I also felt hesitant to watch it because the books are so great. The show does a wonderful job of adapting the books. I was hooked by the first episode, the show opening and musical score. Are you caught up with the books? I'm waiting for the series to end to reread them. I think it might take atleast 6 months -1 year to read them all! And then I will have to watch the TV show from the beginning.
I am caught up on the books! I thought maybe the recent one would be the last since Gabaldon is in her early 70s now, but she's apparently still writing, yay!
I love this interview with your agent and all the wonderful opportunities she has helped you create. It sounds like such a wonderful partnership. I love your little corner…the magic is not broken! I love your Outlander laptop stand. It’s one of my favorite series of all time. Congratulations on Denmark. I can’t wait to hear more about it.
have you watched the show? I finally took a peek at Episode 1 but then I couldn't bring myself to watch more because I think I want to keep the books as they are in my memory!
So cool that you found an agent that you click with, Evelyn. I imagine that is a really wonderful/safe feeling.
And the peek behind the scenes of your podcast is awesome! I literally watch podcasts and imagine what the space around the screen looks like 😂 so it's fun to see where and how your set-up exists. (I use puzzle boxes under my laptop when video chatting.)
Also, just finished watching your joint interview on The Sparkle Summit. As usual, I really appreciated your honesty as well as took away some good things to think about in regards to my Substack and book launch. Thank you for sharing so openly. :)
Thanks for being such an ever-supportive and active member of this community, Petra. It makes me light up every time I see one of your comments!
I'm glad you liked my true podcast corner, hahaha... Puzzle boxes are a great idea, too. Honestly, they are probably sturdier than Outlander books, which sometimes get a little precarious since they're paperbacks. I've almost lost my laptop a few times, lol.
And I'm thrilled that you watched The Sparkle Summit panel and got some good nuggets from it!
Hooray! Glad to be a bright spot! 😀✨ And I so enjoy this community.
Puzzle boxes are great and sturdy, but there's good writing energy in a stack of books as well loved as the Outlander series, so I'd say it's a toss up. :)
oh thank you, Susan! I really enjoying doing those little "peeks behind the curtain" so it's great to get feedback that you enjoy it, too. I'll keep it up!
Please do. I actually think it makes the connection we feel to you as a writer more genuine. Thank you for all you contribute to the community of writers here. You often add some joy or encouragement to my day.
I think everyone has to decide what path to take/which makes sense for themselves, and the lovely thing is that the publishing options these days are so wide open. For those who choose to get an agent, it's got to be a mutually beneficial relationship, otherwise, it's not the right fit or choice. But I love that writers now have the option to be published in different ways. To each their own, and I will be here cheering you on!
I don't think one way is necessarily better than the other, and I agree that people should ask themselves what direction they would like to move in and trust their gut feeling. Authors who write unoffensive things meant to appeal to a broad audience would probably benefit from developing a relationship with an agent. Most comic artists I've had the opportunity to meet remained independent, and much of that had to do with the subject matter of their comics. They either self-publish or publish through small independent publishers, and I imagine any suggested edits would be for clarity and not content. For myself, the best route seems to be to go through a reputable indie publisher like SLG or Ka-Blam. That does not mean I would not entertain a conversation with an agent who works with a large publisher, as it's good to keep an open mind, and people can surprise you. However, I would not feel confident that my vision would go unaltered. Asking them if they would change anything about Johnny the Homicidal Maniac if they published it today would make a good test of merit.
I love all this behind the scenes insight- thanks for sharing! And I LOVE that you are an Outlander fan as well (and that they help out for your podcasts!😆)
Thanks for sharing this interview! It makes querying much less scary when you have a peek behind the magic curtain. :) I also loved seeing your podcast set-up!
Thank you Evelyn, this was wonderful (like everything you do). One thing I found funny was your makeshift laptop stand in the midst of your professional microphone set up, ring light and precision shelf height position for the books in the background. 🤣.
Loved this insight and getting a peek into an agents brain. I keep thinking about my Cookie and Drew story that’s swirling around in my brain and beginning to wonder if I have something 🤔😍 It’s like a tug to keep going, does that make sense? 🙃
I appreciate the time you take to show up for us fellow writers and bringing us these great interviews!! Thanks so much, Evelyn!
I remember wanting to query/pitch Thao Le in 2021 for YA, I believe she spoke at the SCBWI conference that year, and I thought she'd be such a solid ally in the big bad pub world. Thanks for the interview.
Love this post/interview! I'm fortunate enough to be repped by Thao too and she is so amazing and supportive, truly a super agent. <3 (Also, the stack of books as a laptop stand is so real LOL) I'm new to the Creative Inspired Happy community and I have to say that I've really been enjoying the podcasts---thanks for all you do Evelyn!
Oh my gosh, Ireen, no way! She is the BEST, isn't she?
Also, hiiii and welcome to our community!! Thank you for your kind feedback! 💛
What a helpful piece that you wrote. I am relatively new to Substack (two weeks), and I needed to read your interview. Thank you for helping so many of us. You brought value to us.
Oh great, I’m so happy that was illuminating, Benn! and you’re very welcome. It’s honestly my pleasure to help.
🙌 wow that's so great that you are caught up. WOW 🤯 that's great to hear that she's writing and continuing to give us wonderful stories. I hope 🤞 to be writing in my 70s too!
Yes, I have watched a few seasons. I'm alittle behind now. I also felt hesitant to watch it because the books are so great. The show does a wonderful job of adapting the books. I was hooked by the first episode, the show opening and musical score. Are you caught up with the books? I'm waiting for the series to end to reread them. I think it might take atleast 6 months -1 year to read them all! And then I will have to watch the TV show from the beginning.
I am caught up on the books! I thought maybe the recent one would be the last since Gabaldon is in her early 70s now, but she's apparently still writing, yay!
I love this interview with your agent and all the wonderful opportunities she has helped you create. It sounds like such a wonderful partnership. I love your little corner…the magic is not broken! I love your Outlander laptop stand. It’s one of my favorite series of all time. Congratulations on Denmark. I can’t wait to hear more about it.
have you watched the show? I finally took a peek at Episode 1 but then I couldn't bring myself to watch more because I think I want to keep the books as they are in my memory!
So cool that you found an agent that you click with, Evelyn. I imagine that is a really wonderful/safe feeling.
And the peek behind the scenes of your podcast is awesome! I literally watch podcasts and imagine what the space around the screen looks like 😂 so it's fun to see where and how your set-up exists. (I use puzzle boxes under my laptop when video chatting.)
Also, just finished watching your joint interview on The Sparkle Summit. As usual, I really appreciated your honesty as well as took away some good things to think about in regards to my Substack and book launch. Thank you for sharing so openly. :)
Thanks for being such an ever-supportive and active member of this community, Petra. It makes me light up every time I see one of your comments!
I'm glad you liked my true podcast corner, hahaha... Puzzle boxes are a great idea, too. Honestly, they are probably sturdier than Outlander books, which sometimes get a little precarious since they're paperbacks. I've almost lost my laptop a few times, lol.
And I'm thrilled that you watched The Sparkle Summit panel and got some good nuggets from it!
Hooray! Glad to be a bright spot! 😀✨ And I so enjoy this community.
Puzzle boxes are great and sturdy, but there's good writing energy in a stack of books as well loved as the Outlander series, so I'd say it's a toss up. :)
I loved your video about where you record your podcasts. So fun. And, I loved your realities of real author life comments ;) Thanks for all you do!
oh thank you, Susan! I really enjoying doing those little "peeks behind the curtain" so it's great to get feedback that you enjoy it, too. I'll keep it up!
Please do. I actually think it makes the connection we feel to you as a writer more genuine. Thank you for all you contribute to the community of writers here. You often add some joy or encouragement to my day.
aww, thank you again, Susan. That's my goal, to uplift and bring smiles. So thank you. I'm glad it's working.
But what would writers possibly want from literary agents these days? 🤔
I think everyone has to decide what path to take/which makes sense for themselves, and the lovely thing is that the publishing options these days are so wide open. For those who choose to get an agent, it's got to be a mutually beneficial relationship, otherwise, it's not the right fit or choice. But I love that writers now have the option to be published in different ways. To each their own, and I will be here cheering you on!
I don't think one way is necessarily better than the other, and I agree that people should ask themselves what direction they would like to move in and trust their gut feeling. Authors who write unoffensive things meant to appeal to a broad audience would probably benefit from developing a relationship with an agent. Most comic artists I've had the opportunity to meet remained independent, and much of that had to do with the subject matter of their comics. They either self-publish or publish through small independent publishers, and I imagine any suggested edits would be for clarity and not content. For myself, the best route seems to be to go through a reputable indie publisher like SLG or Ka-Blam. That does not mean I would not entertain a conversation with an agent who works with a large publisher, as it's good to keep an open mind, and people can surprise you. However, I would not feel confident that my vision would go unaltered. Asking them if they would change anything about Johnny the Homicidal Maniac if they published it today would make a good test of merit.
I love all this behind the scenes insight- thanks for sharing! And I LOVE that you are an Outlander fan as well (and that they help out for your podcasts!😆)
oh yes, Diana Gabaldon is a constant partner for my podcasts, haha. She just doesn't know it.
Thanks for sharing this interview! It makes querying much less scary when you have a peek behind the magic curtain. :) I also loved seeing your podcast set-up!
Thank you Evelyn, this was wonderful (like everything you do). One thing I found funny was your makeshift laptop stand in the midst of your professional microphone set up, ring light and precision shelf height position for the books in the background. 🤣.
hahaha wow, I am called out, Amy!
Always with love @Evelyn Skye 🥰😍
It's what I love about you, and what I love about our little community here.
Loved this insight and getting a peek into an agents brain. I keep thinking about my Cookie and Drew story that’s swirling around in my brain and beginning to wonder if I have something 🤔😍 It’s like a tug to keep going, does that make sense? 🙃
I appreciate the time you take to show up for us fellow writers and bringing us these great interviews!! Thanks so much, Evelyn!
I love when a story or characters tug at us. They want your attention, Mesa!
They really do!!! I keep waking up and they’re RIGHT THERE!!! Hahaha xoxo
Yay Denmark, congratulations, how exciting! 🇩🇰
(I'm half Danish)
oooh, hello, Danish half of Kristin!
I remember wanting to query/pitch Thao Le in 2021 for YA, I believe she spoke at the SCBWI conference that year, and I thought she'd be such a solid ally in the big bad pub world. Thanks for the interview.
You're very welcome, Sanna! I am very lucky to have Thao in my corner. I hope you find the right agent for you, too!