Kesia Lupo
@keslupo
Commissioning Editor @MacmillanKidsUK & writer rep'd by @veroniquebaxter. Former literary agent & bookseller. 12 years in books!
Because I know it can be hard for agents to find info on what editors are looking for (YES, I've been there, trawling through Twitter profiles for hints...) I thought I'd go ahead and post my #MSWL here. For clarity, I'm only accepting agented submissions unless via referral. 🧵
Writers, if you ever feel bad about querying your book, and getting rejections, just remember I once put down my genre as male.
Such a bittersweet joy to see my authors land with new agents! Congratulations @mcalvani - and wonderful Jolene too! ❤️
Shortly after signing with @keslupo, she made a fantastic move into editorial at a big pub. Super sad to see her go but so grateful for her support and guidance during the transition. I’m now thrilled to be represented by my wonderful new agent @JoleneHaley at DMLA!
This week, I started at Macmillan on Monday, moved into empty London flat on Tuesday, back in the office on Wednesday, slept on the floor (bed rolls) for 3 nights, ate like a student, worked from home in stifling heat as various things (bed! Kettle!) arrived... and now, breathe.
Struggling with how to start your pitch, or how to tell someone about your book in a way that feels engaging and pithy? Well, we have one brilliant tip for you! writingdayworkshops.com/blog/how-to-st…
I think this has changed a lot since covid. It's still a bit of an advantage to be in NYC or London as an agent, but it's not THAT advantageous - zoom catch-ups with editors are the norm!
What are your thoughts on Brandon Sanderson's lecture #12 where he says that agents who don't live in New York are less able to do as good a job since they can't physically network with editors? Outdated? Aren't we living in a more digitally connected world today?
So thrilled I now get to shout about Dr Yasmine Shamma's timely book, rooted in her extraordinary research, on what home means to the displaced. Yasmine is an incredible writer - you're in for a treat. Couldn't have asked for a better home for this than @thenewpress! 🥂 🥰
London rental search started as soon as I arrived in the UK 3 weeks ago. We found a place, offer accepted, referencing successful - then everything fell through 2 weeks before job start. Now we've put in an offer on another flat. Please let this go through. PLEASE.
What happens when your agent leaves? That's been on my mind recently, for obvious reasons... so I did a Substack post with my thoughts: open.substack.com/pub/kesialupo/…
Quick break from the publishing chat to talk music - cos I've been obsessed with this song ever since I first heard it. Out today wherever you listen, or here: youtu.be/5QW-Qnr__3I?fe… (plus, look at that gorgeous cover art by Calin Marley Rounds)
If you haven't had enough of me yet this week, please check out this substack I wrote for @writementor on the challenges and opportunities facing writers right now, tackling everything from structural issues in the industry to writing community: open.substack.com/pub/writemento…
I don't THINK anyone missed it but just in case... Thank you everyone for the lovely well wishes, sorry not to respond to you all individually. ❤️
ICYMI: Kesia Lupo (@keslupo) is joining Macmillan Children’s Books (@MacmillanKidsUK) as commissioning editor next month 👇 ebx.sh/zWcchF
Kesia Lupo (@keslupo) is joining Macmillan Children’s Books (@MacmillanKidsUK) as commissioning editor next month 👇 ebx.sh/zUKRr7