Meet Kristen (a repost)

A refresher on who is writing this newsletter...

I’m out celebrating my favorite holiday, so I decided this was a good time to reintroduce myself. Here are a few fun facts about me…

Photo by allison christine on Unsplash

1. I love Halloween. Pumpkins! Candy! All the decorations! There’s nothing I don’t like about it. I start decorating as soon as I have a moment pretty much right after Labor Day and enjoy candy and Halloween movies almost until Thanksgiving. I love that my kids give me an excuse to trick or treat.

2. I graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in English and Philosophy, Politics and Law. I was all set to go to law school and was literally on the steps of Brooklyn Law School about to enter orientation (sorry mom, that deposit is long gone!) when I changed my mind and decided to pursue a job in books instead. I landed my first job by writing a fan letter to James Patterson and his publishing company.

3. I grew up reading the books my mom left all over our house: Mary Higgins Clark, Robin Cook, Danielle Steele, Dean Koontz, James Patterson. They made me the reader I am today. Super commercial and fast!

4. I was an editor and ran two major publishing imprints (Mysterious Press and Obsidian, formerly at New American Library) before I ran away from New York to join my television writer husband in Los Angeles. I figured I would learn to drive and then I would find a job in the tv and film industry too, but freelancing found me. So many agents and publishers started sending me projects to work on that I decided to continue editing. I have worked with thousands of authors at this point and I get to work mostly in my pajamas, so I’d say it was a good decision!

5. One of the best part of my job: being one of the first people my clients share good news with! One of the worst parts: having to keep that good news a secret for a very long time. Usually until their book actually hits the world, which could be a year or more from when we first started working together.

6. I have my Master’s in Publishing from Pace University. This is more of a fun party fact. Almost everything I learned about editing and publishing I learned on the job or just from being a voracious reader.

7. I love morning routine videos. Probably because my own morning routine mostly involves someone yelling at me and trying to hit me with his bottle of milk. Toddler mom life. If you know you know.

8. I am obsessed with pugs. My current one is black and named Zelda Sprinkles. She hates everyone except my immediate family. She is the cutest, fiercest, 13 pounds you’ll ever meet…just don’t make eye contact, especially if you’re delivering a package.

9. I edit to a background of crime shows: Monk, Psych, anything in the worlds of NCIS or FBI. Especially anything on the Hallmark Mystery channel. I’m not picky.

10. I am currently only in one book club, but I have been in 4-6 at a time. I will never tire of talking about books with book people.

11. I am an ice cream fiend. I love chocolate, but I especially love anything piled with toppings. Hot fudge and marshmallow sauce are my top picks.

12. Bonus! And finally, I will never take for granted that so many writers trust me with their words. It is such an honor. I love having a front row seat to their hopes and dreams and I love helping them come true! I also keep this newsletter free to help anyone whose dreams haven’t come true…yet. If you’d like to support my efforts, please consider upgrading your subscription.

Until next time,