It’s hard to believe that it’s been six months since I last posted. But I have a really good excuse. I FINISHED THE FUCKER. I finished my new novel and better news, Grove will once again publish. I’ll have more details soon. For now I want to thank my secret weapon in the form of an old friend from my MFA program. She and I swapped pages on a monthly basis for Shred Sisters and again for this book. Her support, encouragement, and ongoing feedback helped immensely. I’ve always encouraged writers to find an “ideal” reader to give feedback. NOT A FAMILY MEMBER, BFF OR LOVER. This needs to be another writer with experience and a degree of objectively. Writing is lonely and tends to make people crazy. I, for one, love the solitude and roller coaster ride, but having a reliable sounding board can make all the difference in your writing life. If you don’t have one, take a writing workshop and find one! Most of all, FTF. It feels amazing.
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Congratulations! From Bonnie Shimko
Brava, Betsy!Sent from my iPhoneOn Oct 21, 2026,
can’t wait to read this one!
And to think, I (2Ns) thought, you had headed for Tahiti (an island in central CT) to retire. Congrats babe.
What news!! Can’t wait to read it. Congrats on bringing it across the line.
It’s a load off, isn’t it? Congratulations in the biggest way because there is no better feeling. There actually is – but in that moment, there isn’t.
And, I’m with you. “The Beast” as I dubbed my latest effort, is done. I turned it in to my agent for a read and now it sits with my editor. I love that my agent loved it but let’s face it – it’s the editor iwho counts!
I’ve had a couple reading partners over the years. I’m back to working solo. I do have writer friends I sound off on, but no one is reading pages at the moment for me, and there’s something about that I truly love.
Way to go! Looking fwd to reading. Will take your excellent advice…Margot C-J
Betsy, I’m thrilled for you. I FTF’d and am following suit! Pub date for LIVING TO DIE: A Young Mother Fights for Her Life and Justice for All Women is 01/26/27 and I’m over the moon. Thank you for all your advice and encouragement to all of us and wowee!!! can’t wait to read your newest.
Diane Melton
dianemelton.com
We have missed you, Betsy, but bra-fucking-o!
Mazel Tov! can’t wait to read it. A heads up for all Jewish writers. There are now 3 new publishers who are dedicated to only Jewish writers and Jewish topics. One of them,Canary publishers has temporarily stopped accepting submissions. I submitted and was at first rejected and then asked to submit my full manuscript. Howard Lovy, exec editor and founder is a real mench and I highly recommend submitting when he opens again.
Gail
Congratulations Betsy! It’s “a heavy lift,” to finally finish a novel, and I hear you loud and clear on finding a trusted advisor while writing, someone NOT a BFF or parent but rather someone with professional insight who understands the process. I overcame a brutal (mean) critique from an old friend (not a writer) of fifty years and it actually ended the friendship. I was almost unable to get back to work on my book, but managed to FTF, and “Angel’s Furies” is being published by Sibylline Press in March of 2027.
Congratulations! I’m eager to read and it’s wonderful to hear about a fellow writer’s input. Thanks for the great news post!
That was my comment above, but I’m such a Luddite my name wasn’t there…
Brava! Grove/Atlantic published my memoir 25 years ago and they are great to work with. One of the last of the independent houses. Happy for you!
Hot damn! Way to FTF! Looking forward to reading every word. ❤️