I read lots of manuscripts that I enjoy. But only a few that I can see an editorial vision for and see a path forward for in pitching it to editors.

But a reader can enjoy a book at any stage of the process. So I can read a manuscript that needs work and enjoy it and wish it was one I could take on BUT not be the right person to work on it.

Sure, most books that get sent to agents need work. Some might only need a little bit, but most get heavy developmental edits at the agent stage. If the book needs work and I can see that but can't see a 'fix' then I can't work on it. So I'm not viewing it as an editor.

So my clients are getting flimsy, non shiny beer mats for Christmas, but at least they are 'relatively' limited edition.

Was a bit confused when I received notification that they were coming through in several different parcels. First lot arrived today. Turns out I didn't order beautiful, bright, shiny coasters with 'Hel's Angels 2023'. I've ordered 110 beer matts with my team logo on.

Every year I give my clients a little gift at Christmas (clearly a small, cheap gift because...literary agent wages). Last year they got a cute Christmas tree decoration with Team Lane on it. This year I decided to do coasters. I was organised and ordered them a month ago.

Today has been a wonderful day at work. I am a happy Helen.

So we taught the pup to drop objects he isn't supposed to have and get rewarded with a treat. Except now the evil genius has learnt to steal the thing we least want him to have in order to get the reward. He will literally follow us around taunting us with it until he gets the treat. SPANIELS!!!!!!!

That sounds amazing!