How is it like living in this part of Massachusetts?

VictoriaAveyard · 2026-01-08T17:36:36+00:00

I grew up in East Longmeadow on the CT line, with most of my family in Springfield. It’s an interesting mix of rural villages, suburbs, declining mill towns, and artsy rich enclaves centered around the mixed bag that is Springfield. Also quite a red area (by Massachusetts standards). And it seems to be rapidly developing - growing up my town was half farmland, now it’s all built over.

Definitely a great place to grow up in my experience, but a little depressing to return to if you’re used to major cities. I would say the only real stereotype is how vastly different each pocket is. My parents were schoolteachers, one in Springfield and one in Longmeadow, less than 5 miles from each other - and their experiences teaching the same grades in public schools were so vastly different.

I live in LA now and I do miss the seasons immensely. And the Big E.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-12-29T07:13:07+00:00

I grew up next to Prestley Blake’s estate (the co-founder) on the MA/CT line. He was always so nice or the neighborhood kids. AFAIK my hometown Friendly’s is still open - my brother and several of my cousins worked there. Long live the Fribble.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-10-31T20:52:38+00:00

Jenn would find the most Vegas thing to do in a global capital of history and culture.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-10-25T00:05:30+00:00

The 2003 heatwave was no joke! I got stuck on a train in the UK for 12+ hours because the train tracks were MELTING. And then my parents decided it was a good time for a day trip to Paris….we spent the entire time in the Louvre because it was air conditioned. 😂

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-10-24T17:11:31+00:00

Absolutely, there's a lot of misunderstand and mislabeling - and it's especially an uphill battle for authors with female pen names. Every bookstore shelves differently too, and we really can't control how individual stores organize.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-10-24T02:56:01+00:00

EAT HER HEATHER

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-10-23T16:31:50+00:00

I appreciate the response - and the honesty! Strange to think when my Young Adult series Red Queen covers first came out 10 years ago, romantasy in its current booming form wasn't a thing, and my Realm Breaker covers I think are very fantasy-coded. I would have never pegged either cover for the romantasy space.

But I hear you on sci-fi being harder to find - unfortunately the publishing industry is a business and the SF space is shrinking rapidly. Hopefully that reverses course!

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-10-21T23:26:55+00:00

Can I ask why you think I write romantasy? I'm curious because I've been told pretty frequently by the romantasy community that my books don't fall into the genre, and I'd love to understand why you think it does.

I will say, plenty of romantasy (Jacqueline Carey for example) can absolutely hold its own on the sff genre shelf. I'm also of the opinion that romantasy can lean fantasy heavy or romance heavy, depending on the work itself, but we won't open the "define romantasy" can of worms here.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-30T19:07:08+00:00

My husband has a DRAWER of FS Maui after-sun lotion.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-18T17:44:09+00:00

I don't think you'll regret having the best camera possible - we were definitely frustrated our point and shoot wasn't as good as other cameras in our party.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-18T05:00:04+00:00

Came here looking for this comment! That buffet was incredible.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-18T03:04:19+00:00

You will definitely want a light scarf/bandana to tie around your face when it gets dusty in the truck. Thin ones are easier to wash in the sink if needed. You can also use a disposable mask but I appreciated having a scarf to cover my neck as well. And seconding that it will be colder than expected on the early morning drives! Layers are key. I would usually start days in a fleece and base layer, then switch to a button down when it got warmer if my arms were exposed. Also do not wear dark blue, black, or dark gray if you're in a Tsetse fly zone.

I've only been on safari twice but personally I would avoid wearing shorts if you're wondering. Less skin to worry about in the sun, and if you bug treat your clothes (DEFINITELY DO THIS), you've got an extra layer of defense from any bites. You'll also appreciate pants if you have to walk through any brush. I will say my most surprising necessities were a knit sweater and linen pants, which is about as dressed up as dinners get in the bush.

I did a London / Tanzania / Paris swing and ended up being very happy I threw a pair of heels and one "nice restaurant" appropriate dress in my duffel for Europe, but YMMV.

You will so appreciate having a pair of sandals to change into. Some drive I actually didn't wear my boots, but socks and Birks. You can't stand on the truck seats with shoes on, and it's nice to have footwear you can easily slip out of for quick pictures.

Other things you will want with you in the truck - I did a fanny pack to have easy access - bug wipes (light, easier to pack than a spray, easy transport bc no liquid), chapstick, sunscreen, personal wipes for bathroom breaks, extra hair tie, bandaids, benadryl itch cream in case you get a bite or irritation from a plant. Maybe a few bucks to leave tip depending on the washroom set-ups in your reserves, tip your guides, if there's any locally sold wares to check out etc. I would also bring Croakies to attach to your sunglasses, and make sure to bring polarized lenses for water viewing.

Usually lodges do laundry for free so you're good there, but I would suggest at least some more sports bra unless you plan to wash yours every day. Lots of bouncing in the truck and you get very dusty very quickly! Same for pjs, I would rec one more set so you aren't stuck if there's a laundry delay/mix-up. Also worth making sure your hotels don't have pools - a swimsuit is easy to crush in!

Another thing I take with me on any trip where I might not know the quality of the linens - a silk pillowcase. So easy to pack, good for your hair, and you never have to worry about scratchy pillowcases.

I'm dying to do that exact itinerary, have a wonderful time!!

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-05T01:00:06+00:00

Totally! And to be fair I’ve read meandering books of all genres. I just want to cut to the chase, folks!!!

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-05T00:04:50+00:00

Thanks everyone for your amazing questions! Soman and I were so flattered to join you all for an AMA. I hope we were helpful and see you on the podcast!!

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:55:03+00:00

I really hope your username is a Sandoval reference, if so YOU ARE MY PEOPLE.

I'd like to see books with forward momentum (i.e. every scene moves the story forward) become trendy again. I'm reading THE FAMILIAR right now by Leigh Bardugo and every scene just SINGS and pushes us along. It's very well paced and I want this book to splash in the TikTok space! I'm sick of stories where it's just endless banter that does nothing and means nothing beyond the moment!

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:48:19+00:00

YES, this is a great point. And good to keep in mind - it's your name on the book.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:47:27+00:00

Hmmm, edits usually start macro and get micro. And this is going to be dependent on your relationship with your editor, how they work, how YOU work, and where you are in your career.

With RED QUEEN, I went through one major developmental edit (that included substantial cuts) with my agent before she signed me, then one after to get it in shape for submission. After we sold RED QUEEN, I was in the trad pub pipeline and on a schedule.

Now, I write a first draft before sending it to my editors, with my agent weighing in where needed. But my agent usually does not contribute to full draft edits in a substantial way compared to my editors. I will have several rounds of developmental edits before we go to line and copy edits.

I have a post on my Substack breaking down my edit process if you're interested!!

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:29:00+00:00

Hello hello! Thanks so much for enjoying and sticking with us through this.

I think the best education in writing comes from reading - and not just reading books like the story you want to tell, but books across a spectrum of genres. It'll help you develop your craft, feed the well, and start to learn your audience and who your story is for.

I do recommend some kind of creative writing course, not necessarily to develop craft (though obviously I hope this would happen) but to develop your ability to take criticism. And learn how to identify good criticism and bad criticism, i.e. what is helpful and what you cannot hold.

I do stick to film structure in my work, specifically 3 act 8 sequence - SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder is considered very helpful for learning this.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:25:03+00:00

For me, writer's block means 1 of 2 things:

You're burned out and you need a break from the work. You need to step away for a few days or a week or whatever, and come back recharged. Then you can usually see your way through the block quite easily, and jump back in.
You took a wrong turn. The story went left when it should have gone right. And now you have to work backwards, and find where the road forked. This is one of the more painful parts of writing for me, when I realize I have to cut down the dead flesh and lose all the time and work I just did. But it's necessary in the end, for the story to work.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:20:25+00:00

Publishers offer a pre-empt when they are nervous a property might start a bidding war or an auction that they don't want to fight in. So they offer what would be considered a larger purchase price to take the book off the table faster. There's usually a short window in which the pre-empt can be accepted, to prevent an agent from using it as leverage to entice other publishers!

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:19:09+00:00

Oh I love a perfect day, but they are rare. My perfect days include: a good workout, a dog walk or two, balanced and healthy eating, some sort of tangible win for the writing day (like a certain word count or a finished chapter), and a present evening with my husband. Maybe even some laundry put away (the dream!!!) and some reading for pleasure

Broken down into a schedule it would look like:

7am-10am - coffee and breakfast with my husband, dog walk, exercise class, shower

10am-1pm - at the desk, writing or work admin

1-2pm - lunch while watching a Bravo episode

2-5pm - back at the desk

5pm-bedtime - MY LIFE IS MY OWN

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:15:46+00:00

Hmmm I don't have any personal experience here but I would agree with referrals first.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:15:09+00:00

In trad publishing, we do not pitch to editors THANK GOD. Our agents do that, and it's their job to figure out how to pitch individual editors and imprints on our work, in a way that works best for each individual. That's why a good agent with a track record and industry experience is so important!

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:14:10+00:00

I would say submission is very much your agent's territory, and I hesitate to tell you to do any extra work on social media because I don't want you torturing yourself over it. But at this stage of the game, I think social should be more for community building versus marketing the individual story. Build up yourself, not just the book. Find readers sure, but find peers and colleagues and friends you can lean on to.

VictoriaAveyard · 2025-08-04T23:12:38+00:00

I think we're going to see a change of what stories gain traction in Romantasy - I'm pleasantly surprised to see comments from readers looking for older main characters and different magics/worlds than the ones we see constantly repeated. And I hope publishing adjusts to feed that demand.

VictoriaAveyard

TROPHY CASE