KT Literary podcast

Today, we talk about 2020. Yes, we voluntarily went back there! Though much was lost this year, and many things felt by turns unfamiliar and maddeningly repetitive, we had a good year. With 3 new members added to our team, many new books released, and new contracts signed! Together we clung to the successes and joy. 

Kate Testerman, Sara Megibow, Kelly VanSant, Jas Perry, Aida Lilly, and Renee Nyen talk about 2020 and look ahead to what 2021 has in store for kt literary. 

Here are some of our favorite reads of 2020!

Kate loved: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morganthaler

Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi 

Sara loved: The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall 

Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Aida loved: Consider This by Chuck Palahniuk

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

Kelly loved: The Unravelling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Rosanne A. Brown

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Jas loved: Twins by Varian Johnson, illustrated by Shannon Wright

Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds written by Danica Novgorodoff

Renee loved: Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious series

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

You can find us at ktliterary.com and on Twitter and Instagram.

Our client, Aliza Mann joined me for a conversation about the new book A MORE PERFECT UNION. This collaborative project is a romance anthology in which each story addresses voting and democracy.

Preorder A MORE PERFECT UNION on Amazon and on Apple Books

Aliza Mann’s Website, Instagram, Twitter, and The Book Harlots on YouTube.

If you want more information about the powerful voter equality work Fair Fight does, find that here.

You can find us at ktliterary.com and on Twitter and Instagram.

In an effort to make the end of 2020 as joyful as possible, I couldn't think of a better guest than Susan Adrian. She's one of the first kt literary clients I ever met, and she is always so kind, warm, and generous.

Susan is the author of the Middle Grade books NUTCRACKED and FOREVER NEVERLAND, and the YA book TUNNEL VISION. She is a 4th-generation Californian who somehow stumbled into living in Montana. She danced in a ballet company and worked in the fields of exotic pet-sitting, clothes-schlepping, and bookstore management. She’s settled in, mostly, as a scientific editor. When she’s not with her family, she keeps busy researching crazy stuff, traveling, and writing more books.

Susan's website: www.susanadrian.net  

Susan's socials:  Twitter and Instagram

You can find us at ktliterary.com and on Twitter and Instagram.

Elysia Whisler joins us today to talk about her debut novel RESCUE YOU. It is a heartwarming love story about redemption, hope, and how everyone needs saving now and then. We discuss Elysia's road to publishing, PTSD, and, of course, dogs!

You can find Elysia on Twitter and Instagram, and also on her website at  elysiawhisler.com.

You can purchase RESCUE YOU here!

And look for us at ktliterary.com and on Twitter and Instagram.

Marisa Reichardt is the author of UNDERWATER, the upcoming spring 2021 release, A SHOT AT NORMAL and her newest book, AFTERSHOCKS. We talk about packing earthquake kits, the physical and mental strength of water polo players, and how releasing a disaster book in 2020 can actually be rather cathartic. 

You can purchase a copy of AFTERSHOCKS here. 

Find Marisa on her website, twitter, and instagram. 

For information about submissions, new releases, and everything else that happens at our agency, visit our website ktliterary.com. We are also on Twitter and Instagram. 

K.D. Edwards is the author of the urban fantasy series THE TAROT SEQUENCE: Book One: THE LAST SUN, Book Two: THE HANGED MAN, and -just announced!- Book Three: THE HOURGLASS THRONE.

Listen in for the inside scoop on some of K.D.'s writing practices and what's happening next in the series.

You can purchase all of his books here!

Download the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitchr, and more platforms! And please do rate, review, and subscribe to the show.

Follow K.D. Edwards on Twitter @KDEdwards_NC

WE RECOMMEND THESE AWESOME PODCASTS BY BLACK AUTHORS WE LOVE!

My Imaginary Friends Podcast by L. Penelope

Quantum Froth Dispatches with Mike Haspil

Deadline City by Dhonielle Clayton and Zoraida Córdova

New York Times Bestselling, multi-award winning author Pintip Dunn. Pintip is the author of YA books such as MALICE, STAR-CROSSED, The Forget Tomorrow trilogy, THE DARKEST LIE, and GIRL ON THE VERGE. She stopped by to talk about her newest book DATING MAKES PERFECT, the adorable Own Voices Thai-American YA Rom Com with a perfect cover. 

Find Pintip at her website pintipdunn.com. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram. And snag a copy of DATING MAKES PERFECT here. If you want to recreate the cover, don't forget to tag us so we can reshare it! We're also on Twitter and Instagram! 

In this episode we answer listener questions. We tackle questions about query letters, genre, and what agents are actually looking for in their inbox. Joining me are Kate Testerman, Kelly Van Sant, Aida Lilly, and Jas Perry. 

You can find us all on social media:

Find the agency on Twitter and Instagram

Find Kate Testerman on Twitter and Instagram

Find Kelly Van Sant on Twitter and Instagram

Find Aida Lilly on Twitter

Find Jas Perry on Twitter

Find Renee Nyen on Instagram

Aida Lilly was born in Alabama and now calls Denver home. She attended the University of Montevallo and studied English and writing. She holds an MA in Organizational Management and a graduate certificate in publishing. She is the Communications Fellow for The Word for Diversity, and an Associate Agent at kt literary. Her favorite genres are adult and YA sci-fi and fantasy, contemporary YA, humor, and adult general fiction (bonus points for books written by diverse authors with characters that leap off the page). Good writing and pacing are all she needs to get wrapped up in a story, and her ideal day is spent with books, coffee, and bathbombs.

Introducing our new member of the kt literary team, Chelsea Hensley! Hear about her journey to and through publishing, talk books with Renee, and learn about her manuscript wishlist!

She's looking for the whimsical and adventurous in Middle Grade, especially fantasy (and select contemporary MG).
In Young Adult, she's looking for genre fiction, twisty mystery, and wants thrillers that are character-driven, dark, and edgy.
She also is looking at select adult fantasy that's atmospheric, lush, bold, and female-driven. More here!

Follow Chelsea on Twitter.

WE RECOMMEND THESE AWESOME PODCASTS BY BLACK AUTHORS WE LOVE!

My Imaginary Friends Podcast by L. Penelope

Quantum Froth Dispatches with Mike Haspil

Deadline City by Dhonielle Clayton and Zoraida Córdova