Author | Lightnews

Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Jul 23

Hope you enjoy my latest article for The Bottom Line, "University Presses: A Viable Path for Literary Fiction Careers," for which I interviewed two literary agents and three acquiring editors: mailchi.mp/janefriedman...

[The Bottom Line] University presses that publish literary fiction

mailchi.mp

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Apr 21

Really enjoyed this panel! Is there a pub date yet for your book?

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Apr 21

Last fall? substack.com/@leighstein/...

pitch decks for novels

a new trend?

substack.com

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Apr 18

My guess is that, technically, neither Center nor McFarlane write "book club fiction," but this doesn't mean that book clubs won't choose their books. And if calling their work "book club fiction" will draw in more readers, their publishers wouldn't mind. Hope this helps and thx for your question!

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Apr 18

Once writers are established—like both Center and McFarlane are—they probably talk to their agent and publisher to determine how best to spin their work. Center wrote a novel called THE ROM-COMMERS, "a rom-com about writing rom-coms," so maybe she wouldn't mind being called a rom com writer!

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Apr 17

Thanks so much, Jade, for reading and sharing the article, and for your kind words! Yes, one of the people I interviewed said that "women's fiction" is a more sophisticated label for "chick lit," and I agree.

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Apr 17

Should you pitch your work as “women’s fiction” if you’re seeking traditional publication? I interviewed literary agents including @ecniumata.bsky.social and @jsinsheim.bsky.social to explore this question for @janefriedman.com's The Bottom Line newsletter mailchi.mp/janefriedman...

[The Bottom Line] The women’s fiction dilemma

mailchi.mp

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Mar 16

So enjoyed being a guest on on the wonderful Book Friends Forever podcast with long time colleagues (and book friends) Alvina, Grace & Julie. Have a listen!

Julie Scheina @juliescheina.com · Mar 16

Excited to be on @alvinaling.bsky.social and @authorgracelin.bsky.social’s Book Friends Forver podcast with @editorsangeeta.bsky.social to talk about freelance editing (my first podcast!). Would love to hear what you think if you check it out (link below)! 1/2

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Feb 18

I’ll be talking about Building Your Editing Toolkit on February 25 at the Writing Show, hosted by James Rivers Writers. Join me! Learn more and register here: jamesriverwriters.org/event/2025-f...

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Feb 12

I've updated this list and hope it's helpful!

Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Feb 11

I've updated this lis and hope it's helpful! www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com/writing/inde...

Independent & University Press Contests for Fiction Writers That Offer Book Publication as the Prize — Mehta Book Editing on Squarespace

Not all publishers are open only to agented submissions. In fact, several independent and university presses welcome submissions directly from authors, whether through open reading periods or throug...

www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Feb 11

I've updated this lis and hope it's helpful! www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com/writing/inde...

Independent & University Press Contests for Fiction Writers That Offer Book Publication as the Prize — Mehta Book Editing on Squarespace

Not all publishers are open only to agented submissions. In fact, several independent and university presses welcome submissions directly from authors, whether through open reading periods or throug...

www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Jan 16

For my latest article for @thehotsheet.bsky.social, I spoke with independent book publicists including @kathmschmidt.bsky.social about how they navigate today’s fractured media landscape and how writers can collaborate to help them achieve results mailchi.mp/hotsheetpub/...

The Hot Sheet: Jan. 15, 2025 issue

Fractured publicity: navigating book promotion in the influencer age • Cozy fantasy: it’s all about the vibes • On the List: This Girl’s a Killer by Emma C. Wells

mailchi.mp

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Reposted by Sangeeta Mehta

Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · Jan 2

I have overhauled my cornerstone article/handout on key book publishing paths. For the last 10 years, it's been 1 page. Now it's 2 pages. It better covers the finer distinctions writers now encounter in the market. Free to use/share/distribute, no permission required. Link below.

2025–2026 Key Book Publishing Paths by Jane Friedman (traditional publishing)

2025–2026 Key Book Publishing Paths by Jane Friedman (other paths, non-traditional)

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Dec 30

😂

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Nov 27

For my website, I've come up with a list of podcasts about the book industry. What podcasts should be added to this list? Happy listening and Happy Thanksgiving!

www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com/writing/2024...

Ten Podcasts Hosted by Book Publishing Insiders and Enthusiasts — Mehta Book Editing on Squarespace

Here are the podcasts that currently make up my phone’s library. Some offer exclusive content or perks through Patreon, and others are completely free. Some are updated weekly, and others, less often....

www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Aug 1

Thank you for participating—and sharing the piece :)

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Jul 31

Hope you enjoy my latest article for Jane Friedman's The Hot Sheet, for which I interviewed agents and publishers including @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social and @stacylwhitman.bsky.social about "The Who, What, and Why of Sensitivity Reads." t.co/Ew5y6tT2Ep

The Hot Sheet: July 31, 2024 issue

The rise of book signings and direct sales—and the company helping drive growth • The who, what, and why of sensitivity reads • On the List: The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

t.co

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Jan 18

I'm delighted to share my Q&A with author Cliff Burke. Cliff and I worked together back in 2018. Since then he landed an agent and two book deals without "any connections or real understanding of how the agenting process worked." Learn more here: www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com/writing/2024...

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Reposted by Sangeeta Mehta

Read Your World @readyourworld.bsky.social · Jan 5

Save the Date! Our IG live with Third State Books is Thursday, 1/11/24, 2 pm ET! Third State Books is the first general interest publishing house focused solely on bringing Asian American voices, stories, and issues to audiences who cherish them.

#ReadYourWorld #kidlit #mkbkids

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Reposted by Sangeeta Mehta

Eric Smith @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social · Oct 26

Just one more week until this query webinar, which benefits some friends and family who could use the help.

Come hangout! www.ericsmithrocks.com/blog/2023/1/...

Crafting the Query Letter: A Two Hour Fundraiser Webinar on November 2nd — ERIC SMITH

www.ericsmithrocks.com

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Oct 25

Excited to share my latest critique for @janefriedman.bsky.social's "Ask the Editor" column. The writer asks "whether to present this as literary fiction with magical realism or magical realism with a literary bent." See my assessment below. Anything to add? janefriedman.com/first-page-c...

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Reposted by Sangeeta Mehta

The Authors Guild @authorsguild.org · Oct 25

We vehemently denounce censorship and are alarmed by recent attempts to cancel events and suppress voices.

authorsguild.org/news/we-need...

We Need Writers' Voices in Dark Times - The Authors Guild

The Authors Guild vehemently denounces censorship and is alarmed by recent attempts to cancel events and suppress voices. During these volatile times, it is imperative that we recognize the importance...

authorsguild.org

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Sangeeta Mehta @editorsangeeta.bsky.social · Sep 30

Yes! It took a while. (Was on the waiting list, then got an invite but it didn't work, etc.) But so glad to finally be here!

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Reposted by Sangeeta Mehta

Kristin | Detailed Draft @detaileddraft.bsky.social · Sep 28

SFF friends, this looks seriously amazing! A free series of talks on various aspects of writing SFF, brought to you by Orbit.

www.hachettebookgroup.com/orbit-books/...

Orbit Presents: How to Write Your First SFF Novel

Always wanted to write a SFF novel but don’t know where to start? Want to improve your SFF writing skills? Join Orbit for a one-of-a-kind FREE virtual event series this fall that will take you from�...

www.hachettebookgroup.com

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Reposted by Sangeeta Mehta

Maris Kreizman @maris.bsky.social · Sep 18

Hi, I’m a freelance book critic and I know for sure that the more info we share with each other, the better! Help the Freelance Solidarity Project to better understand rates of pay for book criticism. If you're a freelancer who covers books, click here: bit.ly/pay-the-crit...

Freelance Solidarity Project | Book Review Rate Sharing Survey

This is a criticism-specific rate sharing survey for freelance book critics. This survey is a part of the broader interdisciplinary rate sharing tool created by members of the Freelance Solidarity Pro...

bit.ly

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