The Co$t of Books (and When They're Worth It)

Two books that changed my life plus TONS of writing links and resources

*For writing news and resources, scroll down.*

When a Book Calls to You…

Twenty years ago, when I had just started my adult life (I was teaching 9th grade math at a low-income public school), I stopped in a small, indie bookstore in uptown New Orleans (Octavia Books), and randomly selected two books that were out on a table, simply because their covers caught my attention.

This was not something I normally did. I got my books from the library, not the bookstore. Especially back then, as a twenty-three-year-old on a teacher’s salary, on the rare occasion that I did spend money on a book, I’d buy one from an author I already knew I liked. I never splurged so recklessly, and looking back I’m not sure why I did on that particular day.

The two books I purchased were Pretty Little Dirty by Amanda Boyden and Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld.

After I finished Pretty Little Dirty, I saw in the author bio that Amanda Boyden taught MFA fiction classes at The University of New Orleans. I had to look up what an MFA was. I literally did not know you could get a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.

Over the next year, I did some soul-searching, and I realized I didn’t want to be a math teacher for the rest of my life; I wanted to write novels. And so, fast forward several years: the lovely and wise (and incredible writer) Amanda Boyden became my MFA thesis adviser at UNO. Because of Pretty Little Dirty (which, P.S., won an award for best literary sex scene), I began my journey towards becoming a novelist.

It’s Hard to Splurge on New Books

As for the other book purchase, since 2005, when I read her debut novel, Prep, Curtis Sittenfeld has become a well-known and prolific author, and one of my all-time favorites.

I recently read Sittenfeld’s latest book, a wonderful collection of short stories called Show Don’t Tell, and was delighted that the last story revisits the main character from Prep. In the story, Lee goes back to her preppy boarding school for her thirtieth reunion, and somehow Sittenfeld manages to perfectly capture the voice and perspective of grown-up Lee, even though she originally wrote that character so long ago.

I’m so glad I bought Pretty Little Dirty and Prep all those years ago. It seemed random at the time, but clearly the universe knew what it was doing.

Two books, 20 years apart. Prep was published in 2005. Show Don’t Tell, Sittenfeld’s ninth book (I believe), was published in 2025

It’s hard these days to splurge on new books (especially hardcovers) because they are SO DANG EXPENSIVE. Seriously, why are we still making hardcovers? Can we just have books come out in paperback and do away with hardcovers, except maybe for libraries? I want to support authors and independent bookstores, but have you SEEN the price of groceries these days?

Still, I want to buy new books from time to time. I’m thinking I need some sort of system. Set aside a certain amount of money each year to spend on debut novels from bookshop or my local independent bookstore. What do the rest of you do to support authors and bookstores but not go broke?

I’m not sure what my point is except to say that sometimes it’s okay to judge a book by its cover. Sometimes books call out to us, and it behooves us listen. Sometimes it’s okay to splurge because, yes, new books are expensive, but they might change your life. They might become a little piece of who you are.

Clearly, reading Pretty Little Dirty changed my life. Without it I might never have gotten my MFA from UNO. And I’ve read Prep so many times over the years, I’m certain a little piece of Lee Fiora will live inside me forever. It was worth it, I’m saying, to splurge that day. Sometimes a book calls to us, and it's worth it to answer.

Just bragging about our roses again. Sorry not sorry.

That was way harsh, Eva

In case you missed my latest Query Guru post, I critiqued a “creative” query letter which, ironically, makes the same mistakes as 95% of the conventional query letters I see.

I feel a little bad about how harsh I was in my feedback. I hope the author knows my constructive criticism comes from care and from the desire for us all to get better at our craft and eventually succeed in the wild business of publishing.

Writing News and Resources:

For All Writers:

• 13 lit mags recently opened for submission—all paying money to authors, all without fees! Thank you,

  Sub Club
  !

• I recently attended a great free webinar from The Authors Guild, and I realized, wow, they have tons of free events and resources!

• I love this mental re-set suggestion from

  pathsofstoicism
  .

• 25+ Open Calls for Writers (and Artists) from Write, Period.

• Want to know why that editor hasn’t gotten back to you yet? A peek into the insane lives of editors from

  Sean deLone
  .

• Check out the online publishing lunch with Book Coach Jennie Nash on June 16, from

  Good Story Company
  .

• Every week the

  London Writers' Salon
  publishes a fresh creative writing prompt.

  Everyone is free to submit up to 500 words, in any genre, on the prompt.

  They award the winner a cash prize (£50 / $65) and publish our top 3 favorite entries.

• Grants for authors: application tips from

  Mallary Tenore Tarpley
  .

• Creative Parenting Club is actively looking for guest posts from parents juggling creative ambitions with family life and other responsibilities.

• LOVE this series from Karin Gillespie exploring the three modes of publishing: 1. traditional publishing (big), 2. trad publishing (medium to small) and 3. self-publishing and hybrid. I’ve never wanted to self-publish, but she makes it sound pretty good!

• Check out these great event replays from The Manuscript Academy — for free!

• The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.

• Writing Workshops offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.

• Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.

• Looking for places to submit your writing? Check out NewPages.

For KidLit Writers:

• The Highlights Foundation offers tons of programs, workshops, and events for children’s writers and illustrators.

• The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competitionis now open for unagented and unpublished writers for a middle grade or Young Adult novel.

  First prize is a worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House with a royalty advance of £10,000. Deadline: June 2.

• Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews. Plus contests and giveaways.

• Here’s an incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!

• Check out SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for events, conferences, critique partners and more. (Picture book through YA.)

For Querying Writers:

• A few former agents and Big 5 editors who offer editorial consulting services from Anna Sproul-Latimer

• Free online workshop from Mary Kole & Good Story Company: Writing an Irresistible Query on June 19.

• Here’s a list of small publishers that do not require agents.

• Andrea Bartz has a list of successful query letters (including mine!).

• I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query and first two pages, and, if I chose your submission, I will send you feedback. Fill out the form here.

Writing Conferences & Events:

• The Women’s Fiction Virtual Summit: June 21-22.

• Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for an affordable writing retreat? The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm north of Baltimore is open year-round. The only requirement for this peaceful retreat is that you use the time to work on your writing. Spaces normally book about two months in advance.

• Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.

• The James River Writers Conference in Richmond, VA will be held Oct. 4 - 6.

• The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences are affordable and helpful. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. For online conferences, attend from anywhere in the world! Check out the upcoming conferences:

  • California Writing Workshop: June 13-14 (online)

  • Writing Workshop of Chicago: June 21 (in person)

  • The New England Writing Workshop: July 25-26 (online)

• I’m going to Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention in New Orleans September 3-7! See you there?

• Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.

• For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.