The bookish moment in Oxford that made me cry

It’s been a wild summer over here! I took a much-needed two month break from the newsletter. In that time, the big news is:

1. I started sending out queries to agents for THE GREAT TREE OF IRIS. So, my book is being considered in about 30 inboxes right now with more on the way. So far, I’ve received a handful of rejections and no feedback (it’s not common to receive feedback), but there’s a reason they call it the “query trenches.” It can be arduous and it’s a process. For now, keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

2. In June, I went to London (and then got the ‘vid for the first time, so I was out of commission for about two weeks, do not recommend that part)! My college roommate/best friend and I have been talking about going to London for about 15 years. It’s not a cheap trip (are most trips ever cheap?). We seriously considered it right before COVID hit and then other things got in the way.

   I wanted to celebrate finishing my first novel in a BIG way. What’s a bigger way than going on a trip? So I asked her if she wanted to do it, and we were booking plan tickets a couple of weeks later. I want to share a special bookish part of that trip today, that I haven’t shared elsewhere.

I had the opportunity to visit Oxford, UK. It was truly so special to me. And I started it out in the perfect way, which was unplanned.

For those who don’t know, J.R.R. Tolkien attended and taught at Oxford University. Both he and his wife, Edith, are buried in Oxford. And he’s one of my favorite authors—something you need to know for this story.

We woke up extremely early (5:45 am) to get on the tube to get on the bus to get out of London. As we wove through the English countryside (the Cotswolds), I remembered that I had downloaded an audiobook recently: The Fellowship of the Ring (by Tolkien of course, narrated by Andy Serkis). I had been looking forward to starting it, but it just was never the right time.

At that moment, I realized that this was the right time. An actual shiver raced up my spine, I kid you not.

I forgot that FOTR starts with a foreword by Tolkien himself, which I have read in print before. As I watched the patchwork of mostly green fields and freestanding stone walls wind around the bus, Tolkien (through Serkis) shared that his work was not meant to be allegorical, and how it would have changed SHOULD he have made it an allegory about WWII.

I snorted lightly when he mentioned the only complaint about his book that he would admit aloud is that “it’s too short” (LOTR is notoriously LONG. I love it). He talks about how he wanted to write a really long, epic story that made him happy and hopefully readers, too. I can relate.

Hearing these words on my way into Oxford brought a few tears to my eyes. I really got choked up. It was lovely.

In the city, I soaked up all the energy of so many amazing writers and playwriters and composers, etc. It was magical. The architecture is grandiose and varied, and it’s known as the City of Dreaming Spires for a reason. I was particularly taken with seeing Radcliffe Camera (said to be inspiration for Tolkien), some of the Bodleian Library, the building where Tolkien worked on the Oxford English Dictionary, and Magdalen College, which is where The Bone Season series takes place (by Samantha Shannon). I also got to meet Samantha Shannon at a book talk and signing on my last night in London! 😮 

P.S. I shared a lot of pics and more stories on my author IG account, @jessskultetyauthor.

Thanks, England. As they say, it was truly a lovely holiday.

-I’m querying agents. That’s the update! Either way, I am going to publish this book (whether it’s traditionally with an agent, or on my own), so stay tuned for more exclusive sneak peeks and news here.🙂 

-I’m feeling a bit stuck on my other two novels right now. I know why—it’s because I have to do some massive plotting, and I’d rather just wing (or pants) it. But sometimes you get to the point where you HAVE to plot more. It’s okay, but I haven’t had the sufficient time to sit down and work on one of them uninterrupted. I’m talking hours upon hours in one day, and then for several days after to keep the flow going. Sounds like I need a retreat or something.

Here are some random outtakes from my draft of Pirate Princess (title TBA), a sapphic fantasy romance:

“I always fall for the magical ladies.”

(and)

“As a bi-rate, I echo that sentiment.”

“Bi-rate?”

“Bisexual pirate.”

🏴‍☠️👑

-Near the end of the summer, I’m planning to paint some book art from TGTOI! Well, it’s more like scene art. I can’t do detailed character faces. I’m starting to look around to hire a couple folks for that. I’m so excited. We are forever anti-AI art over here, so anything I put out will be genuine and paid for (or made by me). I’ll share more soon!

Watching: The Great British Baking Show since I got back from England, because it’s divine. And Violet Evergarden, an anime, which is one of the most beautiful shows I’ve ever seen, EVER. It’s probably my third rewatch of the first season, with my spouse. It honestly inspired me so much (the MUSIC ALONE is worth listening to. I played it on repeat when I started writing TGTOI). Hit “reply” and tell me if you know what I’m talking about!

Listening: My current repeat playlist looks like this:

• “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan

• “Ice Cream Piano” by Vampire Weekend

• “The Answer is Yes” by Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard

• “Maybe Man” by AJR (I just saw them in concert and it made my life)

• “Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan

• "Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan (see a pattern?)

• “Prom Dress” by mxmtoon

Crafting: I have been sewing so much lately while listening to podcasts and audiobooks. I even cleaned up my sewing room (gasp). It’s so much easier to think in there! Here’s a sneak peek at a quilt I’m finishing up for myself, because I’ve always wanted a Halloween quilt 👻🎃 Pattern is by Woolly Petals.

Reading: I am alllll over the place. My reading is just as disjointed as my current attention span. I just finished The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee, which was a fun, queer, YA romp of a book that my lovely friend Zoe lent me. Now, I’m shuffling between Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne and Old Enough by Haley Jakobson. I’m also eagerly awaiting my copy of The Pairing by Casey McQuiston, which comes out this week.

I have SO much fantasy I want to read, but I needed a break. I’ll probably be switching on and off going forward.

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