Hi all,
A couple of things this week.
First, I would like to welcome the new subscribers. Every time someone new joins the small but beloved audience of this blog, I get nervous. I feel like going, “what me? What would they want to hear from good old me for, when there are so many other great, smart voices out there?”
At the same time, seeing the new subscribers makes me want to try even harder. It makes me want to pump my fist in the air. I am proud and honored to be walking along this crazy-marvelous-always-twisting path with you guys, fellow writers, restless souls, friends, even if we have never met face to face. Because, we writers know each other, don’t we?
So, this is just a long-winded, nervous, excited way of saying, “thank you,” old friends and new subscribers, for being here.
Second thing this week: I have an announcement. I am going into business! 
After completing the first semester in Writing for Children And Young Adults Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program, I guess I have gotten the confidence to start something I have been considering doing for YEARS. I now offer manuscript critiquing services! I have just heard from my second client! (Sorry about all the exclamation points, but this is exciting stuff.)
!!!!!!!!!!!
(Okay. Got it out of my system.) 🙂
The work is intense, time-consuming, but also gratifying.
Here is the info, in case you know of someone who might find this useful:
My speciality, of course, are YA and MG manuscripts — these are the books I’d be best qualified to handle. But I can consider taking on an adult book as well, only if it feels like it’s the kind of project with which I could be helpful. I do NOT work with picture books. Unfortunately I don’t know enough about that tricky, magical genre.
Basically, my service includes a VERY THOROUGH, pretty intense in-depth line-by-line critique that deals with EVERYTHING, from language to conflict to logic to character development to plot and tension. If you seek my services, be prepared for LOTS of food for thought to chew over. Be prepared to reconsider your most darling of passages. Be prepared to be challenged. That’s my style. It’s the only way I know how to work.
Having said that, I will do my best to work with your vision, to offer you ideas and insight that seems to match with what you’re trying to say. I will also encourage, coach, offer advice on not only the story itself, but the writing life in general. My goal in working with every manuscript will be more than to give you a push. My goal will be to lift you up so you can soar.
I base and model my work on the feedback I have received from my agent, as well as the many exchanges with my editor, plus the generous comments from my fellow Vermont College of Fine Arts students, from my distinguished workshop advisors Kathi Appelt and Mark Karlins, and from my wise first semester advisor, a prolific, prominent, exacting Canadian author Tim Wynne-Jones.
I am really excited about becoming an entrepreneur. Of course, I am about to start my second VCFA semester, which means my time is going to be seriously limited, and I don’t think I am ready to face a deluge of requests. But I’d like to do this on the side, on a limited basis. I guess this is me, hanging a shingle. Wish me luck!
A third and final thing for this week I wanted to let you all know:
I am about to start my second semester at the Vermont College of Fine Arts! Next Monday I’ll be heading back to the tiny, picturesque mountain-y Montpelier campus. When I went to my first residency back in January, my nervousness rivaled my excitement. Now I feel I’ll be going back more seasoned, more prepared, anxious to hug my friends and classmates and teachers. I also know that when I get there, I’ll be knocked right back on my butt, overwhelmed all over again with all the stuff I have yet to learn, terrified of the new possibilities, excited to take new chances! But isn’t that the writer’s life?
I might take a short blogging break during my absence. But when I come back, some of you already know, I’ll have plenty to say!
So, until next time — and thanks for reading,
xo
Katia
Katiaesque 
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