Cabinet of Curiosities

Being an Agent, Mental Health in the Querying Trenches, and Ghost Scouts Honour with Carey Blankenship-Kramer

I got to spend a sunny afternoon chatting with agent and writer, Carey Blankenship-Kramer! She had a wealth of insight and advice regarding the publishing industry, querying, and how to handle rejection. She also shared an excerpt from her upcoming middle grade horror, Ghost Scouts Honour, which already has me hooked! This is a great episode for anyone querying, wanting to submit to an agent (Carey is open for subs! Go read her MSWL), and learning how to handle rejection, all from a queer ND agent and writer with a huge amount of experience in both roles. Carey also answers that most vital of questions: how many queries should you send before you give up?
 
Be sure to buy her book when it comes out! Keep up to date with all her news:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/careyfblankensh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careyblankenshipkramer/
Website: http://www.careyblankenshipkramer.com/
 
After growing up surrounded by books and people who loved to read them, Carey’s debut novel, GHOST SCOUTS HONOR, is being published by Scholastic January 2025. And yes, she does have experience with how ghosts have zero respect for personal space. She is currently repped by Sheyla Knigge at High Line Literary Collective.Carey graduated from Berry College with a dual degree in English and Creative Writing. She later received her master’s in Writing and Digital Communications from Agnes Scott College. She has experience working with both publishing houses and literary agencies and loves her role as Junior Agent at Belcastro Agency. Outside of work and writing, you can usually find Carey spending time with her small zoo and husband, getting way too competitive on the tennis court, gardening, playing video games, or eating candy. 
 
Summary (auto generated by Otter AI)
Writing, publishing, and querying with a rejection backstory.0:00
Speaker 1 shares their experience with querying agents, including rejections and epiphanies, while Speaker 2 offers support and advice.
Both speakers discuss their writing journeys, with Speaker 1 on their first book and Speaker 2 sharing their six-book journey to getting an agent.
Carrie Blankenship Kramer discusses her debut novel and writing experience with host.
Writing, agents, and personalized queries.5:06
Speaker 1 is excited to have an agent on the podcast and asks about their love for animals, including a dog named Bob and three cats.
Speaker 2 shares their experience with animals and mentions their stream on Twitch, while acknowledging the potential for stalking or oversharing personal information.
Speaker 2 shares their experience of receiving unsolicited food packages from fans, leading to concerns about online privacy and security.
Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 discuss the importance of personalizing queries for agents, including matching manuscript wish lists and providing clear information about the story.
Being a neurodivergent, queer literary agent.10:49
Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 discuss their experiences as literary agents and writers, with Speaker 2 highlighting their own experiences in the "gray trenches" of publishing.
Speaker 2 emphasizes the importance of understanding the mental health of authors and being able to relate to them, citing their own experiences as a writer and agent.
Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 discuss the importance of demystifying the publishing industry, particularly for neurodivergent and queer authors.
Speaker 2 shares their personal experience with mental health during the querying process, including using a jar to reward themselves with nice memories after each rejection.
Querying and rejection in the writing industry.16:41
Speaker 2 shares advice for neurodivergent writers querying agents, including turning off notifications and focusing on next book.
Speaker 2 and Speaker 1 discuss the changing query process, including form rejections and lack of feedback, with Speaker 2 noting it's important to protect mental health.
Speaker 2 believes agents may clear their inboxes by sending non-personalized rejections, while Speaker 1 appreciates personalized rejections with feedback.
Publishing trends and querying tips.22:17
Writer shares insider secrets on publishing trends and querying tips.
Industry trends: Middle grade horror is popular, but horror in general faces challenges, and shorter books are preferred.
A ghost story set in Savannah, Georgia.26:17
Author shares details about upcoming book, "Ghost Scouts," set in Savannah, Georgia, with a unique blend of ghost lore and Girl Scouts inspiration.
Speaker 2 describes a ghost in a school auditorium, finding it eerie and unsettling.
 

Demystifying Poetry, Sharing Words in the Woods, and DINOSAURS! with Alex Callaghan

Alex and I had a cosy little chat about growing with the support of the poetry community, demystifying poetry to non-poets, Bone Down and, of course, dinosaurs. This is a great episode for anyone looking to get into poetry or learn more about how to get into event making and the poetry community!
 
Alex Callaghan (they/them) is a non-binary poet from Yorkshire, and part of the Bone Down Literary Affinity Group. They specialise in wit, whimsy, and dinosaurs.
Follow them:
Twitter: ABCallaghan2 Instagram: poetry_ditties
 
Otter Podcast Transcript
Alex and Kate McKenna discuss their shared passion for dinosaur poetry, while Speaker 2 provides insights into the progression of Bone Down poetry events and the creation of the community-driven poetry zine. Speaker 2 highlights the significance of bone down as a gateway drug for people who aren't poets to get into poetry, and Unknown Speaker shares their experience of coming to bone down events and contributing to the zine. The speakers articulate the community-driven approach of Bone Down and the importance of celebrating and empowering the poetry community through events and publications. Meanwhile, Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 grapple with the complex language and historical context of poetry, emphasizing the need for balance between creative pursuits and other aspects of life to prevent burnout and maintain motivation.
 
Transcript
Outline
Poetry, dinosaurs, and the Bone Down literary affinity group.
Alex, a member of the literary affinity group Bone Down, discusses their passion for writing about dinosaurs, including their final university project, "Dinosaurs in Space," which explores grief through the lens of a Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus.
Alex's partner has a velociraptor plushie and they buy little brooches of dinosaurs, leading to a discussion about the group's focus on whimsical dinosaur writings.
Poet Caitlin was known as "jam poet" among Kate McKenna's friend group, met at Ilkley Literature Festival in 2022.
Kate's book launch was unexpectedly accompanied by poetry readings.
Poetry events and community involvement.
Poet Kate asks Speaker 2 and Eve to help organize poetry events in local parks.
Poets moved indoor events to a venue with accessibility features, warming up to outdoor performances again in winter.
Speaker 2 shares their growth in poetry community involvement, from attending events to hosting, with support from Caitlyn and other members.
Poetry community and zine creation.
Community members collaborated on a zine showcasing their poetry and visual art, celebrating their diverse talents and connections.
Poetry workshop attendees share their writing with others for the first time, including a mother who started writing during lockdown.
Zine contributors performed their work, showcasing the difference between page and performance poetry.
Poetry styles and accessibility.
Poet dabbles in various styles, including rhyming poetry and prose poetry, to keep their audience engaged.
Speaker 2 shares their personal journey with poetry, mentioning Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" as a favorite poem and highlighting the importance of accessibility in poetry.
Speaker 2 discusses the evolution of language in poetry and how it can be difficult to read contemporary poetry, emphasizing the need for accessible entry points into the genre.
Speaker 2 recommends Alice Goldman's "The Book of Seeing Past the Shadows" as a great introduction to poetry for those who are not familiar with the genre.
Speaker 2 finds that reading poetry out loud helps them appreciate the pacing and emphasis of the poem better.
Creativity, burnout, and balance in the arts.
Neil Gaiman's poetry inspires creative problem-solving in real life.
Struggling to balance event hosting and university while maintaining enthusiasm.
Poets discuss creative burnout, balancing creative pursuits with daily life.
 

Arts Funding, Imposter Syndrome, and Dead Women Poets with Helen Bowell

Listen to me chaotically and queerly chat with the wonderful Helen!
 
Helen Bowell is a poet, editor and producer. Her debut pamphlet The Barman (Bad Betty Press, 2022) was a Poetry Book Society Choice. She co-directs Dead [Women] Poets Society (which resurrects women poets of the past at events), runs Bi+ Lines (a project for bi+ poets), and produces events for the Poetry Translation Centre.
 
Twitter: @helen_bowell, @bi_poets, @deadwomentweet
Instagram: @helen.bowell, @bi_poets, @dead_women_poets_soc
Website: helenbowell.co.uk and deadwomenpoets.com
 
Transcript:
Poetry and LGBTQ+ issues. (0:58)
Arts funding challenges and successes. (6:12)
Funding for artists and writers. (10:46)
Queer literature and identity fluidity. (14:34)
Imposter syndrome, shame, and identity. (20:37)
Women poets from the past and their influence on contemporary poetry. (27:21)

Toxic Classics, Trigger Warnings, and How Does She Do It? with Anna Rose James

I cosied up with a cuppa to have this lovely chat with actor and writer Anna Rose James! It was super interesting – and also extremely cathartic! – to chat with this wonderful creative. “We should never be so grateful that we forget what we deserve.”
Anna Rose James (she/her) is a queer, bisexual actor-writer of poetry, flash fiction, auto-fiction, screenplays and scripts; co-founder of Sonnet Sisters, Six Lips Theatre and The Podvangelist; and the voice of 3CC0 in Tin Can podcast. She reviews theatre for Arts York and speculative fiction for Horror Tree Press, and slush-reads weird short fiction for The Drabblecast. Her published work includes Unknown (Stairwell Books), Little Irritants (Analog Submission Press) and 100 Friggin’ Poems.
Twitter: @annaonscreen
Instagram: @annaonthepage
Website: https://annarosejames.wordpress.com/
 
Summary:•  Creativity, writing, and audio processing.  •  Language, etymology, and theater. 4:28 •  Shakespeare's "Wuthering Heights" and content warnings in education. 11:22 •  Content warnings and artistic expression. 15:31 •  Advocacy work and dealing with resistance.

Neurospicy Novel Writing, Scottish Dialect, and Why Duck Feet Are More Important Than Penguin with Ely Percy

Ely is just brilliant! I had a fabulous time chatting with them about writing – particularly about disability themes and the importance of representing authentic Scottish dialect. In fact, there's a lot about authenticity and staying true to yourself in this conversation, and it's well worth a listen if you're a writer. Their novel is due for another print run in November, so pre-order now!
Ely Percy is an award-winning Scottish writer, best known for their novel ‘Duck Feet’ which was shortlisted for a Barbellion. They won Scottish Novel of the Year Award 2021 - a fact that slipped their mind when giving me the lowdown on their work. Their first publication was a letter in ‘Big!’ Magazine (1994). Since then, they’ve released a memoir ‘Cracked’ (2002), contributed many stories to literary journals, and published two novels ‘Vicky Romeo Plus Joolz’ (2019) and ‘Duck Feet’ (2021).
Follow Them:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elypercy/
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ely-percy-886804162
Instagram: @ely_percy
Website: elypercy.com
 
Summary generated by Otter AI:
Sending out a manuscript to publishers. (4:16)
The voice in the head and the story. (10:06)
Cognitive impairment instead of brain injury. (15:19)
How did you start writing? (20:32)
Selling as a bloody story. (25:53)
Transgender man crime novel who hasn't grown up yet. (30:53)

Queer Ancestors, Using Creativity to Address Gaps in Archival History, and Trans Joy with Cas Bradbeer

What a delight! This episode is a shining light of trans joy. Cas talks through the importance of knowing who’s come before us, and how we can feel connected and strengthened by figures of the past – and use creativity to do it. I love this episode so much. It’s trans joy, queer art, empowerment, subversion, and all the other things we need right now!
 
Cas is a curator who recently graduated from the MA in History of Design, offered jointly by the Royal College of Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum. They have their BA in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art, where they curated an exhibition of queer craft and received the Dean’s Prize for Overall Performance. They are now a V&A Volunteer, delivering LGBTQIA+ tours and researching queer objects in the collection. In general, Cas’s research focuses on queer art history and contemporary trans performance, presenting their findings at the likes of UCL and the National Gallery of Ireland. Their curatorial practice has ranged from an exhibition of queer ecology at IMT Gallery to a showcase of feminist commodities at Ugly Duck, and they were recently commissioned to curate a series of drag performances (featuring George!) at the V&A.
 
Follow Them:
Facebook: casbradbeer
Twitter: queeringculture
LinkedIn: casbradbeer
Instagram: casbradbeer
 
***
My apologies - Otter AI didn't work for this episode, so there's no transcript. I'm working on getting funding to get the proper software! 

Cabinet of Curiosities: Spicy Brain, Garden-Poem-Era Wisdom, and Being a Smartass with Hannah Chutzpah

Loved chatting all things poetry, mental health, and artsy with the one and only Hannah Chutzpah. An icon on the spoken word scene, Hannah is a performance poet and writer with three collections of poetry out – most recently Permeable published by Burning Eye Books. Her poetry is funny, feminist and often heartfelt. On a number of occasions it has made people cry. Apparently in a good way. Hannah is a left-handed, left-wing smartass with intersectional activist leanings, spoons allowing. She has been described as ‘fine’ by three therapists, as ‘of good character’ by a high court judge, and as a ‘potential maggot-thrower’ by the Metropolitan police. 
 
Follow her:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannahChutzpah
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hannah_Chutzpah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannah_chutzpah/
Website: https://hannahchutzpah.com/
Incite Poetry on facebook
Incite Cabaret on insta and twitter
Dead Darlings Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms
https://dragonsoflondon.org/
dragontwitchers@gmail.com
 
Below is the poem Hannah shared, as well as a brief summary of what we talked about for the first 30 minutes (thank you, Otter AI free version). If anyone wants to buy me the full version so I can provide a full transcript, you can do so at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dragongeorge 
 
Recipe
 
Quick and easy label-free _____
 
This recipe is one of my favourites for when someone pops over with the best of intentions and asks why I need to ‘limit’ myself with all these zany ‘labels’. I’ve whipped this up for all kinds of occasions: queer, disabled, ADHD, dual national, multi-faith, you name it!
 
This has been passed down in my family for generations by people who found life that bit more difficult but didn’t know why. Hope you like it! Tell us how you get on in the comments and let us know if you’ve given it any new twists. Don’t forget to rate & subscribe! Xoxo
 
Ingredients
50g _____
1 medium _____, finely chopped
3 _____
¼ tsp _____
2 fresh _____ leaves (or 1 dried)
450g _____
1 litre/1¾ pints __stock__ [chicken stock/stock photo/stock options]
750g smoked _____ fillet
3 _____
3 tbsp chopped fresh _____
1 _____, cut into wedges, to garnish
 
Method
STEP 1        Melt 50g _____ in a saucepan, add 1 finely chopped medium _____ and cook gently over a medium heat for 5 minutes, until softened but not browned.
 
STEP 2        Stir in 3 of the _____, ¼ tsp _____, and 2 _____ leaves, then cook for 1 minute. The guesses you fill in can’t help but be generic: butter, onion, straight, white, able-bodied.
 
STEP 3        Tip in 450 g _____ and stir until it is all well coated in the sorry, I didn’t see you there.
 
STEP 4        Pour in 1 litre __stock__ [chicken stock/stock photo/stock options], add ½ teaspoon _____ and bring to the boil, stir once to release any overcompensating from the bottom of the pan. Cover with a _____, reduce the heat to a low and rueful smile.
 
STEP 5        Meanwhile, bring some it was just a joke to the boil in a large shallow pan. Add 750g _____ and not trying hard enough. Simmer for 4 minutes, until reasonable adjustments or a performance review. Lift it out onto a _____ and leave until the emotions are cool enough to handle.
 
STEP 6        Hard-boil 3 _____ for 8 minutes. You are allowed to bring a union representative with you for this stage if you wish.
 
STEP 7        Flake the _____, discarding any lived experience, _____, their current partners or any new-fangled rubbish they’ve found on the internet. ‘Normality’ perpetuates itself like a racist algorithm. Drain the _____, cool slightly, then peel and chop.
 
STEP 8        Uncover the _____ and remove anything that doesn’t sound right to you. Gently fork in the explanations you’ve arrived at yourself: weird, over-sensitive, lazy, naughty, stupid, attention-seeking. Cover again and return to heat until the _____ has heated through.
 
STEP 9        Gently stir in almost all the 3 tbsp _____, and season with a little shame to taste. Serve scattered with the remaining _____ and garnished with 1 gosh you can’t say anything these days, cut into wedges.
 
STEP 10       Invite your guests to season with sugar or salt. Don’t limit yourselves! They’re all edible crystals. It’s all food. Keep flattening nuance until you don’t know your _____ from your _____ and no one has the _____ to say why the _____ doesn’t taste right. 
 
 
SUMMARY
Rebecca does all the technical side of things and I hopefully read the book of the month. (0:00)
Introducing Hannah Chutzpah. (1:10)
How to deal with the external world when you have ADHD. (4:53)
What it was like to get a referral from her GP. (9:14)
What’s it like to have an ADHD diagnosis? (11:48)
Getting a diagnosis gives you a reason to understand yourself. (16:58)
Do you find that there is much prejudice and sexism in the art scene? (22:06)
The genre expectation that spoken word poets share traumatic and vulnerable parts of themselves. (25:15)
Don’t do that winning advice. (31:00)
People like to think they’ve won because they said it really well. (36:45)
 
 

Cabinet of Curiosities: Gender and Parenting, Inviting People to See You, and Powerlifting with Jasper Peach

This is an episode full of love. Honestly, it’s a big ol’ hug. Jasper talks about intentional family, considering the best way to raise children and build community, and embodying the hippy dippy values that can change the world, as well as some powerlifting chat and a poem. “Strong is letting people see you and being proud.”
 
Jasper Peach is a trans, non-binary and disabled writer, speaker and parent. They are passionate about equitable access and inclusion, focused around the dismantling of misplaced shame via storytelling. Their written work has been published in The Age, HireUp, The Big Issue, Archer, The Guardian, Verandah, Australian Poetry Journal and SBS online. 
With a background in Auslan interpreting, broadcasting and civil celebrancy, writing has continued their personal trend of being all about communication and community. Their first book, You’ll be a Wonderful Parent was published March 2023 by Hardie Grant and is a celebration of rainbow families of all kinds. 
 
Twitter: @JasperPeachWrites
Instagram: @JasperPeachWrites 
Website: https://linktr.ee/jasperpeachsays
Free Audiobook: https://soundcloud.com/jasper-peach/sets/youll-be-a-wonderful-parent?si=9c847e698152443fb3d3a743370d4fbb&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
 
Free Otter AI transcript up to 30mins (if you’d like to buy me the full version, you can do so through my Buy Me a Coffee or sign up as a patron on Patreon:
SUMMARY
What’s going on with the book? (0:00)
Jasper’s book. (2:35)
The gendered world of birthing class. (6:35)
What does family mean to you? –. (13:38)
The secret chamber of my deepest darkest desires. (16:35)
The importance of enacting what you’re dreaming. (21:51)
How Archie’s disability informs his creative practice. (26:43)
How rage informs the type of publications she will work for. (28:58)
If there isn’t something to highlight the wonder of who you are in the public discourse, you should make that art. (33:55)
“I’ve got a real bee in my bonnet about everlasting daisies”. (38:28)
 

Cabinet of Curiosities: Irresponsible Pasta Making, Page Versus Performance Poetry, and the UK Trans Performers Network with Crow Rudd

One of my favourite poets, Crow Rudd, joined me to discuss performance versus page poetry, the importance of community, and their UK Trans Performers Network. They also shared their newest poem which is an utter delight to listen to!
 
Crow Rudd (they/them) is a disabled nonbinary queer internationally published punk poet, multiple slam champion, mentor, events producer, host, workshop facilitator, exhibition co-organiser and network founder - basically, they wear a lot of hats. They have featured at Manchester Punk Festival, Goole Pride, Wolds Pride, Leeds LGBT+ Lit Fest, and was also unofficially dubbed 'IWW's Poet Laureate' after headlining their international conference. Their debut collection 'i am a thing of rough edges: DESTROY YOUR DEADNAME edition' is available from Whisky & Beards Publishing.
Follow Them:
Facebook: Crow Rudd
Twitter: @stuffpunxdo
Instagram: @stuffpunxdo
Website: www.linktr.ee/anxiousanarchistpoetry

Cabinet of Curiosities: Crip Culture Against Capitalism, Gun Violence, and Being Brown and Broken with Crip Lyrical

I love our community! I had a thoroughly delightful time chatting with Val about guns, community, capitalism, and sex. This is such a great episode and rich with wisdom and joy. 
 
Valois J. Vera, aka "Crip Lyrical" He/Him/They/Them), is a Disabled Revolutionary, Poet/Spoken Word Artist and Activist based out of Denton, TX. His experience and knowledge in Disability Justice, Culture and Identity is well noted. He has served on several social justice boards and commissions, and has garnered many speaking opportunities including the University of North Texas, Fordham University and Azusa Pacific University. While his journalism work can be found in New Mobility Magazine, Latino Rebels, and Rooted in Rights, their poetry has been published by Spoonie Press, Mollyhouse, and the soon to be released anthology American Graveyard: Calls to end Gun Violence, Volume I. Their debut collection "Crip Lyrics: the Unapologetic Poetry of Disability" (POOR Press) is an illustrated collection of liberation verses guided by lived experience and self-reflection. He serves as host of the virtual poetry showcase, "Thunder and Lightning" and performs a one-poet-show called "CripPoetix!"
 
Follow them:
IG: criplyrical 
Twitter: CripLyrical 
Facebook: /CripLyrics
Linktr.ee/ValoisVera 
 
This month I'm trialling a free version of a transcription service - if anyone can help buy the full version, that would be amazing! Below is a summary of the first half hour of our conversation (badly) transcribed. 
 
SUMMARY
Crip Poetry of disability. (0:00)
Crip culture and inspiration porn. (2:09)
What’s your poetry informed by your disability? (7:21)
A woman with diabetes was approved to be moved out of a social housing project into a housing project. (12:32)
What’s your contribution to the cause to end gun violence? (14:44)
What’s the worst part of being disabled? (19:31)
Thunder and Lightning has become a power to the community. (24:55)
What does it mean to be a part of the community? (27:41)
Don’t see yourself as less sexy because you’re disabled. (32:39)
The villains are getting more relatable. (37:42)