I sent out a query to an agency this week that was done through a form on a website rather than through email.  (Side note: This seems to be a growing trend for agencies, and I bet it helps them to categorize, sort and log their queries.  I predict it will be more common for agencies to go this route.)  As part of the submission form, I was asked to name the most recent book I read.

I think that’s a great question and I thought it would be worthwhile to share my answer.

If I was being totally honest, the most recent book I read was Biscuit Loves the Library by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, which is one of the books my four-year-old checked out of the library last weekend.  But, I am not sure that is what the question was really asking.   What I wrote was Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari with Eric Klinenberg.

There is a unique pleasure to reading a book after my toddlers have gone to sleep.  In this photo, I’m also clearly reading rather than folding those baskets of laundry that are on the right edge of the frame.  I’ve got my priorities straight.

But sometimes it is too good to wait for after their bedtimes, so I read during bathtime!

And Self-Editing for Fiction Writers.  (Again, notice the jammies.  I’m in the After-The-Toddlers-Are-Asleep Writing and Reading Club.)

I read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers once through, and now I am re-reading it and taking notes and making one giant checklist.  Each of the 12 chapters ends with a self-editing checklist.  I am putting that all on one document and adding my notes and highlights from each chapter.  It’s really a great book, with examples, clear explanations, exercises and checklists.  I read it in December, between finishing the third draft of my novel and starting the fourth.  My hope is to start using the checklists and my notes to tackle my fourth draft next week.