If you’re new here, welcome to this community of 1.8k aspiring and published writers. I’m Caroline Madden, author of The Marriage Vendetta (2025 HarperCollins/Bonnier) and The Village (forthcoming April 2027). It took me more than a decade to get my first book deal, and in this newsletter I’m sharing all the things I wish I’d known back when I was getting buried under rejections!
This week, I’ve been burning the midnight oil to make progress with book 3, but it’s been worth it because I finally feel like I’m ‘in the zone’. And is there any better feeling than that?
This new novel is, like The Marriage Vendetta and The Village, a feminist dark comedy, but because of the nature of the plot, I can no longer shy away from 🌶️🌶️🌶️ scenes, eek! 🫣
I’m trusting in Erica Jong, the late great queen of spicy feminist writing, who felt that taking the brave step of writing about sex allows writers to “play without fear” and break free of the “excessive self-judgement” that hampers creativity.
“Only by letting go of the inhibition that makes us bow to social propriety can we delve into the depths of the unconscious,” she said.
Still cringe though, right?
I was chatting back and forth about this with a Substack friend, Helene, who is facing this same question with her own writing — how to write 🌶️🌶️🌶️ scenes without it feeling gratuitous. And we came to the conclusion that Claire Leslie Hall strikes exactly the right balance in Broken Country. And Helene has now written a gorgeous review of the book here!
“I mean, there is a line between exciting sizzle and graphic detail that’s off-putting, isn’t there?
But where exactly is that line?”
Helene, The Soul of the Rose
If you’re grappling with this question too, I recommend you check out this brilliant Romance Spice Rating Scale by literary agent Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong — just scroll down a little in her post — so funny and useful!
✨What I enjoyed on Substack this week✨
I loved Eva Langston’s post on the attitude you need before publishing a book. SO spot on. (Read it here!)
Strong reactions, both negative and positive, are an indicator that you’re no longer playing it safe… which in turn is a sign that you’re on the right track.
Nobody wants inoffensive, magnolia books!
P.S. I prefer Eva’s new Wisteria colour
For this week’s newsletter, I’ve put together a list of 9 NEW and RISING literary agents who are actively building their lists, which means they’re hungry to sign brilliant clients and get deals done!
Some of them are new to agenting; others have recently been promoted from assistant to associate literary agent.
They’re looking for everything from middle grade and young adult to graphic novels, rom-coms, fantasy, upmarket fiction and so much more…
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