Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Jun 25

"Successful authors are the ones who keep showing up through failure."

Three cheers to @robwhart.bsky.social for his transparency in this great @opensecretsmag.bsky.social essay about the many failures that come before success. JUST KEEP GOING.

I'm a Thriller Author Who Figured Out the Secret to Actually Selling Books

And it’s not ideal—because it’s all about the things you can’t control

opensecretsmagazine.com

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Jun 25

Can't wait to see your revisions!!!!

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · May 28

Some exciting deal news today!

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · May 3

Yesss! I love to see this!!!

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Apr 4

I could not be more excited myself! Rare are the books that make me laugh AND break my heart, and I feel so lucky to have spent the time I have in this place with these people @daniellebarrwrites.bsky.social has created. I can't wait to get to invite the rest of the world in!

Danielle Barr @daniellebarrwrites.bsky.social · Apr 4

A year ago today I finished my first novel.
Today, I signed a contract with my dream literary agent. I am so excited to share that my work is now represented by @irisblasi.bsky.social of Arc Literary Management.
I can’t wait for all that is to come with her in my corner!

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 28

I’m going to put “co-conspirator” on my business cards going forward.

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 19

An interesting tactic in my inbox today: An author calling attention to the number of rejections he's received thus far from other agents ("at least 35").

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 18

I love to hear that. I always tell my clients: It only takes one "yes" when it comes from the right person!

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 18

"Any agent will tell you that finding a writer in slush is like finding a needle in a haystack."

This is a VERY good piece by data scientist @lbmcgrath.bsky.social about the realities of the slush pile:

textCrunch, No. 2: Looking Inside the Slush Pile

And your odds of getting out of it

laurabmcgrath.substack.com

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 17

From your lips to some mystery novelist's ears!

Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 17

Haha. I love that.

Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 14

I just received a query referring to me as "Agent Blasi" and, honestly, I could really get into this honorific.

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 12

My favorite recent query is for the "literary fiction work of approximately [word count] words."

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 12

I love @olgakhazan.bsky.social's answer to the question "What about writing surprises you?"

Via @memoirland.bsky.social: memoirland.substack.com/p/the-memoir...

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Reposted by Iris Blasi

Nicole Tersigni @nicsigni.bsky.social · Mar 5

you’re fired. wait you’re rehired. email us a list of things you’ve done today wait forget it you’re fired again. come back your job was important. you’re fired. or hired. come in to the office. wait the office has no computers go home. we are the department of government efficiency.

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 5

"I think my main takeaway is that writing a book is exhausting beyond belief, and yet here I am doing it all over again." @juliekliegman.com

Happy first birthday, MIND GAME!!!

Happy first birthday, Mind Game

Plus, a shiny new website.

buttondown.com

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 5

"Here’s the thing about first books: It might not be the book that gets you there. ... I know writers who didn’t hit until their third, fourth, or even seventh book. The unifying factor amongst successful writers tends to be stubbornness, not MFAs."

via @opensecretsmag.bsky.social

Dear Daddy Advice Column March 2025: Do You Need an MFA to Get Your Novel Published?

Our advice columnist has strong opinions about MFA programs: “The unifying factor amongst successful writers tends to be stubbornness, not MFAs. “

opensecretsmagazine.com

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Reposted by Iris Blasi

Ashley C. Ford @smashfizzle.bsky.social · Mar 5

For me, fighting fascism has nothing to do with thinking I’ll win. I don’t fight because there’s an inevitable outcome, I fight because I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do something.

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 1

If you like incredibly intelligent fiction with horror elements, you are going to LOVE what @joshuadbellin.bsky.social and I working on right now. Stay tuned…

Joshua David Bellin @joshuadbellin.bsky.social · Mar 1

New agent announcement!

This past week, I signed with Iris Blasi of ARC Literary. I'm thrilled to join forces with an advocate who possesses such passion and insight, and I can't wait to work with her to bring my stories to the world!

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Mar 1

I can’t wait either! Let’s do this book and then many more to come!

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Reposted by Iris Blasi

Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · Feb 26

Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Feb 26

Hiiiiiiiii! 👋

Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Feb 26

Thank YOU, Linda! I’m a big fan of your fiction, and this book helped catapult me out of a real reading slump this new year. Good luck with launch!

Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Feb 26

Just popping in to say that @lindaholmes.bsky.social's BACK AFTER THIS is officially out today, and, if you're looking for a smart, funny book to lift you up in these dark times, this is it. And, as a bonus: Linda reads the audiobook herself, which any fan of PCHH is going to LOVE. I certainly did!

Linda Holmes @lindaholmes.bsky.social · Nov 9

My next book is set in the world of podcasts, dogs, influencers and sketchy dating advice. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720444...

Back After This by Linda Holmes: 9780593599259 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

A podcast producer agrees to host a new series about modern dating—but will the show jeopardize her chance at finding real love? From the New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over.....

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

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Iris Blasi @irisblasi.bsky.social · Feb 26

Advice from @jamiattenberg.bsky.social for writers trying to finish a book:

"I think less about the finish line & more about the starting line. I think about my reason for beginning the book in the first place. I have found when I tap into the spirit of that original purpose, it often renews me."

Let's Talk About Crossing the Finishing Line

By returning to the starting line.

1000wordsofsummer.substack.com

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