As a writer, no matter what kind of work I’m submitting, I want to work with an editor who gets my vision. Someone who understands my manuscript’s reason for being, appreciates its themes and style, imagines who might read it, and has suggestions to align the existing version with those expectations and possibilities.
I’ve felt seen and cherished with Ooligan Press, which acquired my second novel, The Neighborhood Dames, for publication in November 2026. I’m working with teams of students, and so far we've been through developmental edits, marketing plans, and a cover design brief. The next steps will happen this fall—copyediting and a cover! Not only have I reached out in response to my project manager’s queries; I’ve felt empowered and valued.
Recently I got kind of nerdy about distribution and publicity at a cafe meetup. I love these conversations! But then I pressed pause on my mechanics-of-publishing information to share this: communication matters most. You can sign with a fantastic publishing house with top-notch distribution and in-house publicity, but if the staff is slammed and the publicist has too many titles, it can be frustratingly lonely. Working with a micro press with a tight budget, whose publisher invites you to ask questions and weigh in on topics, might feel better to you. Trading reach and visibility for hands-on attention.
Ideally, we would all get the love and support we deserve. And the sales too. I wish wanting this for every author would make it true.
Good communication might not solve everything, but when a timeline changes or a misperception escalates your anxiety, being able to ask questions and get reassurance really matters. After all, you’re the creator. The talent. The person behind the work to be turned into a product.
Over and over again, I meet writers who are in constant conversation with themselves about how much they can ask of their editors (or agents). Is this a legitimate question? Can I ask another a week later, or should I wait longer? Am I being annoying? Sometimes my authors ask me this, and I reassure them that I want to know what they wonder and worry about. I want to be there for them.
I wrote a bit about approaching this feeling as a debut author in Imagine a Door—how I made up stories in my head about communication lags and if I had been too pushy by asking questions. Despite being a publisher, one who often is behind on inbox maintenance, I still felt the need to weigh a question’s importance against the social cost of asking.
Will they think I’m high maintenance if I nudge them?
Am I supposed to know the answer already?
What if they stop liking me/my book?
Part of starting Forest Avenue Press was knowing so many writers who had their hearts broken by the publishing industry, either in the querying phase or after signing an agreement and then feeling left behind as the mechanics of the publishing process took choice away from them. After all, as writers, we linger and agonize over each verb. We replace em dashes with commas and then switch them back to em dashes. We activate our characters and scenes and sacred objects, making artistic decisions alongside the practical ones.
More and more, as a product is elevated as an item to be sold or consumed, the making of that product—that art—fades into the background. But a good relationship with the people working on your book, the fact that you, the writer, made this incredibly original thing should be chiming between you, always. Through every part of the process. Like an aeolian harp set in the window and played by the wind. That sound vibration, the impact of your work on the person publishing it, and vice versa, should be at the center of every conversation about your book.
I don’t ever want to have such a packed catalog that I can’t spend time with my authors, working through the details and the next steps, because I want them to feel supported. Not lonely. Even as I’ve been acquiring more titles than ever in 2025, promising a robustly fantastic catalog in the years to come, I am keeping my eye on that individual attention. Making sure I can deliver it.
Audiobook sale!
If you’re an audiobook fan and haven’t met Belladonna Marie Donato, protagonist of David Ciminello’s queer historical romp of a debut novel, The Queen of Steeplechase Park, the audio edition is 50 percent off though Sept. 5.
Publicity support for 2026 releases
For writers who are heading toward publication and need some hand-holding and support, I run a publicity group called Author Avenues. We meet twice a month over Zoom and also share links and information on our Discord server. It’s $100 a month to participate; I prefer a three-month commitment but will work with you if that’s not feasible. After that it’s month to month. Reach out by writing back to me if you’re curious! If you’re a winter or spring 2026 author, now’s a good time. I started this as a cohort project for 2025 authors, and now that we’re approaching the last launches of the season, we’ll be opening to new members.
My events this fall
The Sisters Festival of Books begins on Friday, Sept. 12, and I’ll be there with Gigi Little, author of Who Killed One the Gun? I’m especially excited about participating in the Story Slam Friday night (scary! exciting!) and hosting a publishing workshop.
I’ll be at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association annual tradeshow, giving away ARCs for our spring books and supporting Gigi, in Spokane, Washington, the last weekend of the month.
Who Killed One the Gun? launches at Powell’s City of Books at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7! Come see Gigi Little in conversation with Margaret Malone.
I’m speaking at the Creative Writing Festival in Astoria the weekend of October 17-19. I’ve never done this one before and I’m so excited! Join me?
Spoke & Word in Milkwaukie, Oregon, is hosting me for an ask me anything on Monday, Nov. 3. More details forthcoming!
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, I’ll be in conversation with the phenomenal Polly Dugan, author of The House of Cavanaugh, at Annie Bloom’s Books.
That’s a busy week! At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, find me at Broadway Books in conversation with Gigi Little!
Friday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 8, I’ll be tabling at the Portland Book Festival. Stop by and see which authors are signing!
Exciting news!
The great Robin Sloan blurbed Gigi Little’s novel! He wrote: "The most surprising book of the year: what begins noir-ish turns psychedelic, with the delicious time loop of Groundhog Day running darker, and stranger. Gigi Little has conjured a pocket universe of clocks and numbers, archetypes and subversions; Who Killed One the Gun? is one of a kind." I’m still starstruck. Robin wrote Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, among other delightfully surreal and fabulous novels. We named our sourdough starter after him because of his novel Sourdough.
Holly Ringland shared the opening to Imagine a Door with her followers! That’s such a huge delight and honor. Thanks, Holly! You can read it here:
Imagine a Door was recently reviewed very generously over at Hippocampus!
I’ve been recording podcasts lately; here’s one that’s out! I had a great time chatting with Paul on Dream Chasers and Eccentrics. You can find it wherever you listen to your podcasts.
I’m using Book Funnel for two promos right now. You can get a free digital copy of Imagine a Door or a host of other nonfiction books at this link. There are a few other writing craft books too, so check it out.
And Who Killed One the Gun? is included in this mystery/suspense giveaway! Please click and see all the books available for free! Apparently Book Funnel tracks clicks so apparently my reputation (wahhh) is at stake!
Forest Avenue recently acquired THE RED HEADS by Rachel King!
I’d love to hear your thoughts about communication, especially when it comes to the publishing process and publicity! Feel free to leave me a comment, respond to others’ comments, or write back directly to me here.
Exactly <3
"... as writers, we linger and agonize over each verb. We replace em dashes with commas and then switch them back to em dashes. We activate our characters and scenes and sacred objects, making artistic decisions alongside the practical ones." Yes yes yes.