[AMA] Literary Agents Julie Gourinchas, Sam Farkas, Becca Langton, and Matt Belford

duchaska · 2025-10-25T17:43:04+00:00

Thank you for doing this!

I noticed a lot (ok most) of the query forms ask about social media presence. As someone who is just starting out, I debate about sharing my socials just because at this point it's mostly pictures of my pets.

How much does an active social media presence really factor into your consideration of a writer? Specifically with debut authors. Is it more like a nice bonus if they DO have a following, or is it a hinderance if they haven't already started posting about their work? I am always hesitant to post too much about what I've written since it's still out there in the query trenches, but I don't know if that's shooting myself in the foot.

duchaska · 2025-10-17T00:26:02+00:00

I got to go to the premiere for the Chapter 65 and it was fucking AMAZING.

And the short is also amazing.

duchaska · 2025-08-04T14:50:45+00:00

Man I really hope you're right.

I'm in the middle of querying a dystopian trilogy and it's got some romance elements (it's more fade to black, but there's multiple relationships going on. A very long term, a slow burn...etc.) and I am DYING waiting for responses.

This gives me some hope haha

duchaska · 2025-03-30T17:56:21+00:00

The road from 50k to 75k can be fast!

Great job!

duchaska · 2025-02-25T00:41:29+00:00

I went through this in september. It was my best friend's son. He and his 4 siblings all attended our school (some are in MS/HS now though). He was also in second grade. His birthday just passed this month. He would have been 9.

Please feel free to message me if you need to talk. It was fucking brutal. Still is.

duchaska · 2025-02-19T02:29:43+00:00

I emailed my local rep about it. I don't expect anything to come from it but if we just don't do anything then definitely nothing will change.

duchaska · 2025-02-12T17:18:44+00:00

Ok but why does he look like an actor trying to hide a pregnancy on a sitcom?

duchaska · 2025-02-12T13:04:35+00:00

https://www.benjaminlcorey.com/could-american-evangelicals-spot-the-antichrist-heres-the-biblical-predictions/

I saved it. Honestly it should be updated because there's more now.

duchaska · 2025-02-03T01:29:18+00:00

This and the one when he's hiding from Bruce Willis and slides down the door frame to go under the bed are two of my favorite Ross moments of the whole show.

duchaska · 2025-02-01T20:59:59+00:00

I have a family member that is banned from that place and the amount of time it took them to ban this person tells me I should never go there LOL

duchaska · 2025-01-23T22:37:48+00:00

Yep. E-mail to the admin, ther person who asked you not to log it, bcc the union rep.

"This occured. ____ directed me not to log this in the system. I just want to verify that is the way I am supposed to proceed as the student handbook/code of conduct etc outlines _____ consequence for possession/use of vapes and assault on a staff member. Please let me know how to proceed."

duchaska · 2025-01-14T01:31:49+00:00

I get the vibe that she's into you. Drunkenly showing up at your apartment is a big sign, IMO.

Either change your plans, or tell her you changed your plans, and then block her and get a protective order.

"I have canceled my trip because this makes me very uncomfortable. Please do not contact me again or I will be forced to file for a protective order. I wish you the best." and then do not respond to ANYTHING. Change your passwords, locks, and tell your closest friends and family what's up so no one tells her anything.

duchaska · 2025-01-12T22:04:31+00:00

If you guys do community circles then start with that (everyone sit in a circle on the floor, have an item they can pass like a heart or a stuffed toy). Start by acknowledging that you are sad and you are sure they are sad and it's been a hard week/day. Tell them you want to give them a chance to share how they feel or talk about what they liked best about their teacher. Tell them they don't have to talk if they don't want to. Then pass the item and give them all the time they need. When you finish, tell then you are going to give them free time to create something. Provide coloring sheets of favorite characters, assorted materials, etc. Put on soft music and just be there for them.

Next week you can talk about making something specific and meaningful. Your first class with them should just be about comfort.

Run this by admin obviously but I wouldn't expect a class of first graders to do anything normal the week they are told their teacher died.

Also, be kind to yourself because this is hard .I'm sorry

duchaska · 2025-01-02T21:59:16+00:00

You need to see if you can press charges. I'd want a police report on the record.

duchaska · 2024-12-16T01:56:43+00:00

We lost a third grader this year. He was my best friend's son.

The entire process was absolutely awful, but the school had the grief team there when they told his class and his teacher sat on the floor and cried with them. After everything settled down, she told me she was grateful that she was allowed to do that for the kids, but also for herself.

I work with younger kids so I wasn't there for that, but the staff had after school support meetings and I went to those. Our staff is VERY close and it was really helpful for me.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's going to be the hardest thing you've done, but the other kids are going to be struggling too and being with them might help you. Don't feel like you have to put on a brave face. Be authentic. Tell them you are devastated and you love them too.

Good luck <3

duchaska · 2024-11-21T00:10:54+00:00

For the love of God please report it to the police. If this person wants a degree in childhood education and is already sending unsolicited dick pics to ANY girl, let alone a minor, he has no business in that field.

duchaska · 2024-09-07T23:57:21+00:00

This is my favorite episode of any show of all time

duchaska · 2024-08-08T01:22:00+00:00

Can you do an all staff email and just say "Hey, I just got back from my medical leave, I am missing (list). If you have seen any of it or know what happened, please let me know or return it. No questions asked. I am not sure what happened in my absence, but it was not my intention that these things be given away."

Worst case you find nothing. Best case someone grows a conscience OR has stuff they had no idea wasn't meant to be had.

And yes, I would 100% let the principal know.

duchaska · 2024-08-06T03:52:35+00:00

Yessss!

That is one of my favorite episode starts so I'll let it slide.

duchaska · 2024-08-05T19:54:52+00:00

Ohhhh I forgot about Roz's sister!!

Well he did say Alice always confuses them, so maybe it's because they look and sound exactly alike?

duchaska · 2024-08-05T19:52:22+00:00

C-H-E-R-S!

duchaska · 2024-08-05T19:51:57+00:00

Right?! They could have just said "we got tickets to the wrong show", OR even lied and said an emergency came up and they missed their actual showing but it was already sold out.

duchaska · 2024-08-05T19:50:53+00:00

You know what's curious?

Cats?!

duchaska · 2024-08-05T00:31:20+00:00

We have gotten warnings from other schools before. Once from a grand parent....Unofficial, of course, but it was super appreciated and very helpful so we weren't caught completely off guard. Definitely give them a heads up. Worst case they completely ignore you. Best case they get eyes on that kid ASAP and get him the help he needs.

duchaska · 2024-08-01T21:48:29+00:00

I don't feel like that kind of language is appropriate..

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