Jo Cohen
@jocohenwrites.bsky.social
Author, Queer, Music Lover
Tumblr, Threads, Insta - Jocohenwrites
Tumblr, Threads, Insta - Jocohenwrites
Someone tell me to query my book. Threaten to donate to the NRA in my name if I don't.
a woman in a pink coat is sitting on a couch making a funny face and saying `` just keep cool '' .
ALT: a woman in a pink coat is sitting on a couch making a funny face and saying `` just keep cool '' .
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October 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Someone tell me to query my book. Threaten to donate to the NRA in my name if I don't.
After nearly losing my entire manuscript this morning I did manage to send out my first round of query letters at the urging of a dear friend. A friend who frankly would throat punch me if I didn't at least try to publish this book.
Tldr: wanted to throw up, did the thing anyway
Tldr: wanted to throw up, did the thing anyway
October 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
After nearly losing my entire manuscript this morning I did manage to send out my first round of query letters at the urging of a dear friend. A friend who frankly would throat punch me if I didn't at least try to publish this book.
Tldr: wanted to throw up, did the thing anyway
Tldr: wanted to throw up, did the thing anyway
Someone who has gotten an agent please tell me why querying is so scary?? I'm not usually scared of things like this. What sorcery has taken hold of me?!
September 21, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Someone who has gotten an agent please tell me why querying is so scary?? I'm not usually scared of things like this. What sorcery has taken hold of me?!
Writing is emotionally devastating and anyone who tells you differently is selling something.
September 10, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Writing is emotionally devastating and anyone who tells you differently is selling something.
My manuscript is at about 61K word count wise and I am genuinely concerned that it will be considered 'too short' and that it will hurt my chances on getting it published.
I am confident in the story and my work but it's for sure short compared to the average novel. Fingers crossed.
I am confident in the story and my work but it's for sure short compared to the average novel. Fingers crossed.
September 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
My manuscript is at about 61K word count wise and I am genuinely concerned that it will be considered 'too short' and that it will hurt my chances on getting it published.
I am confident in the story and my work but it's for sure short compared to the average novel. Fingers crossed.
I am confident in the story and my work but it's for sure short compared to the average novel. Fingers crossed.
I am so close to being able to write my query letter and such and I went to test compile my manuscript and I realized I don't have a title. I have no idea what to call this. Panic.
September 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I am so close to being able to write my query letter and such and I went to test compile my manuscript and I realized I don't have a title. I have no idea what to call this. Panic.
I have a little digital sticky I have been keeping me edit to dos on and while I'm knocking things out I also just keep finding things to add. I am tired yall. One day that sticky note will be empty!
September 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I have a little digital sticky I have been keeping me edit to dos on and while I'm knocking things out I also just keep finding things to add. I am tired yall. One day that sticky note will be empty!
Edits continue and I'm trying (and potentially succeeding?!) at not over thinking.
August 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Edits continue and I'm trying (and potentially succeeding?!) at not over thinking.
Edit one is done! Someone get me a sweet treat (or a beer)
August 30, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Edit one is done! Someone get me a sweet treat (or a beer)
Editing is way less taxing than writing but man I am dreading actually querying this freaking book man....
August 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Editing is way less taxing than writing but man I am dreading actually querying this freaking book man....
DRAFT ONE IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!
kermit the frog is dancing on a stage with a red curtain behind him .
ALT: kermit the frog is dancing on a stage with a red curtain behind him .
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August 9, 2025 at 10:18 PM
DRAFT ONE IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!
Day 30 of 30 of finishing my manuscript
I cracked 59K words and while I am not finished I am only three chapters away from finished. So follow along while I wrap this up over the next few days and set some new goals!
I cracked 59K words and while I am not finished I am only three chapters away from finished. So follow along while I wrap this up over the next few days and set some new goals!
August 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Day 30 of 30 of finishing my manuscript
I cracked 59K words and while I am not finished I am only three chapters away from finished. So follow along while I wrap this up over the next few days and set some new goals!
I cracked 59K words and while I am not finished I am only three chapters away from finished. So follow along while I wrap this up over the next few days and set some new goals!
Day 29 of 30
I am not finishing this on time
But on we go
I am not finishing this on time
But on we go
August 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Day 29 of 30
I am not finishing this on time
But on we go
I am not finishing this on time
But on we go
Day 28 of 30 - lots of edits and writing for a -400 words. *nervous laugh*
August 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Day 28 of 30 - lots of edits and writing for a -400 words. *nervous laugh*
Day 27 of 30 of this insane writing challenge.
I got 1000 words down bringing us to a bit under 56K.
# days left!
I got 1000 words down bringing us to a bit under 56K.
# days left!
August 5, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Day 27 of 30 of this insane writing challenge.
I got 1000 words down bringing us to a bit under 56K.
# days left!
I got 1000 words down bringing us to a bit under 56K.
# days left!
Day 26 of 30 of this writing challenge. I am a bit behind but I should be able to get really close. Once I am done I will take a few days off then start the first edit. I already have an editor and beta readers lined up. Here we goooooo!
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Day 26 of 30 of this writing challenge. I am a bit behind but I should be able to get really close. Once I am done I will take a few days off then start the first edit. I already have an editor and beta readers lined up. Here we goooooo!
Day 25 of 30
Not a lot of writing but plenty of healing
Not a lot of writing but plenty of healing
August 4, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Day 25 of 30
Not a lot of writing but plenty of healing
Not a lot of writing but plenty of healing
Day 24 of 30 - only 500 words
Ran face into a creative choice I feel I need to change. this is mostly about chapter order and framing if things rather than any major event changes. I spent a lot of time rereading existing chapters trying to untangle this to make it all flow. Fingers crossed for me
Ran face into a creative choice I feel I need to change. this is mostly about chapter order and framing if things rather than any major event changes. I spent a lot of time rereading existing chapters trying to untangle this to make it all flow. Fingers crossed for me
August 2, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Day 24 of 30 - only 500 words
Ran face into a creative choice I feel I need to change. this is mostly about chapter order and framing if things rather than any major event changes. I spent a lot of time rereading existing chapters trying to untangle this to make it all flow. Fingers crossed for me
Ran face into a creative choice I feel I need to change. this is mostly about chapter order and framing if things rather than any major event changes. I spent a lot of time rereading existing chapters trying to untangle this to make it all flow. Fingers crossed for me
Day 23 of 30 - I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish but it only came out to about 600 words which feels odd. As it stands we are a bit over 53K words with 7 days and 6 chapters left to go.
August 1, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Day 23 of 30 - I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish but it only came out to about 600 words which feels odd. As it stands we are a bit over 53K words with 7 days and 6 chapters left to go.
Day 22 of 30 - 1800 words on the page. Climax of the story has been written. Only 7 more chapters to go!
July 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Day 22 of 30 - 1800 words on the page. Climax of the story has been written. Only 7 more chapters to go!
Day 21 0f 30 - I am glad I took on this challenge and I think I will complete it but holy sh*t if I'm not tired. This is not sustainable. #writingchallenge
a woman in a black sequined top smiles in front of a purple and orange background
ALT: a woman in a black sequined top smiles in front of a purple and orange background
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July 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Day 21 0f 30 - I am glad I took on this challenge and I think I will complete it but holy sh*t if I'm not tired. This is not sustainable. #writingchallenge
Day 20 of 30 of finishing my manuscript. Another rough chapter. Only 10 more chapters to go so I imagine they will al be rough from here on out.
July 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Day 20 of 30 of finishing my manuscript. Another rough chapter. Only 10 more chapters to go so I imagine they will al be rough from here on out.
Day 19 of 30 and I am taking a rest day. I'll be back at it tomorrow.
This is proving to be an interesting journey.
This is proving to be an interesting journey.
July 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Day 19 of 30 and I am taking a rest day. I'll be back at it tomorrow.
This is proving to be an interesting journey.
This is proving to be an interesting journey.
Day 18 of 30 of finishing my manuscript and I can firmly say I have spent more time researching and talking to the walls than writing. All the same I got 1200 words on the page bringing the project total to just over 47K.
July 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Day 18 of 30 of finishing my manuscript and I can firmly say I have spent more time researching and talking to the walls than writing. All the same I got 1200 words on the page bringing the project total to just over 47K.
Day 17 of 30 of finishing my manuscript. I hit a record 2700 words but I did write one of the most brutal f*cked scenes I think I will ever write and I want to be absorbed by the void. Thank you for your time. I'm fine. No, really....
a close up of a woman 's face with a netflix logo behind her
ALT: a close up of a woman 's face with a netflix logo behind her
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July 26, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Day 17 of 30 of finishing my manuscript. I hit a record 2700 words but I did write one of the most brutal f*cked scenes I think I will ever write and I want to be absorbed by the void. Thank you for your time. I'm fine. No, really....