Pub Rants

Tagged Chutney

Your Moment Of Chutney

by Kristin Nelson

Status: It’s raining. Again!


What’s Playing on the XM or iPod right now? ROSANNA by Toto


Yesterday, Brian headed home to Denver with Chutney in tow. The poor man has had nothing but bad luck with air travel and yesterday was no exception. Brian and Chutney’s plane was delayed by almost 5 hours.


Security lines were also a mess. Over an hour to get back into the gate area if Brian exited the terminal. In short, the two of them were stuck between a rock and a hard place.


And here’s where Southwest Airlines gets my vote for best airline ever.


Although you can’t quite make out Chutney (as she’s behind that gray ladder), here is the shot Brian took of the cluster of southwest employees trying to get Chutney to go to the bathroom out on the tarmac before boarding the plane.

Needless to say, Chutney was too freaked out but kudos to the employees of Southwest for going the distance. They really tried!


-12 Degrees

by Kristin Nelson

STATUS: We’ve got the heat cranking. Poor Sara in the loft needs a fan!

What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? TALKIN’ BOUT A REVOLUTION by Tracy Chapman

Quite frankly, I think this entry’s title sums up the day.

Here I am with Chutney about to brave the 15-minute walk to the office with a wind chill of -20.

Is that a Dog in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? *grin*

New York is going to get hit tomorrow so we are anticipating two nicely quiet days where the phone doesn’t ring. I’ve been averaging about 3 hours a day on the phone for the last week.

Plenty of time to tackle the Macmillan contract again. With luck, I’ll make it to page 20 this afternoon! The words “electronic media” are making me nervous.

Fun Facts On NLA Clients—Take 3

by Kristin Nelson

STATUS: Today was a whirlwind of good news and I actually knocked 2 things off my To Do List. I’m flying high tonight.

What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? THE WEDGE by Dick Dale

Courtney Milan—next to Chutney, Courtney has the cutest dog on the planet! Seriously, most of you know that Courtney came my way via a recommend from Sherry Thomas but then I met her in person and the Chicago Romance Writers Conference. I was impressed on many fronts.

Paula Reed—is the only client where I found her! I read an article about teachers and Columbine High School in the Denver Post and she was profiled. In the article, she mentioned she was writing a romance so I reached out to her. Now she writes literary historical fiction.

Sarah Rees Brennan—I was the only agent she queried for The Demon’s Lexicon series. Every day I’m thrilled and amazed that it was so!

Kim Reid—I met Kim at the Pikes Peak Writers conference and I think I physically groaned when she said she had a memoir to pitch (she won’t let me live that down!). Her memoir NO PLACE SAFE is one good reason why I’m proud to be a literary agent.

More Dick Dale music on iLike

You Know, That Thing About Google

by Kristin Nelson

Status: 15 days until we close the agency for the holidays. Oi!

What’s Playing on the XM or iPod right now? THE CHIPMUNK SONG (CHRISTMAS DON’T BE LATE) by Alvin and the Chipmunks

So right now I’m sitting here at home trying to think up a blog topic. My husband says, “why don’t you write about that new thing with Google.”

There are a million things daily about Google. Which one is he talking about? He says, “you know, the one about copyright.”

Well, that’s narrowing it down a bunch. Not.

My reply, “that would take some research and more brain power than I have at the moment.”

So gratuitous Chutney shot instead. This is what I should be doing right now.

You Know, That Thing About Google

by Kristin Nelson

Status: 15 days until we close the agency for the holidays. Oi!

What’s Playing on the XM or iPod right now? THE CHIPMUNK SONG (CHRISTMAS DON’T BE LATE) by Alvin and the Chipmunks

So right now I’m sitting here at home trying to think up a blog topic. My husband says, “why don’t you write about that new thing with Google.”

There are a million things daily about Google. Which one is he talking about? He says, “you know, the one about copyright.”

Well, that’s narrowing it down a bunch. Not.

My reply, “that would take some research and more brain power than I have at the moment.”

So gratuitous Chutney shot instead. This is what I should be doing right now.

Get Out And Vote!

by Kristin Nelson

STATUS: I feel like there is a change in the weather. Suddenly both Sara and I have a lot of deals unfolding.

What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? ELECTION DAY by Arcadia (you knew that was coming!)

It’s Tuesday, Nov. 2. Vote! Don’t let it go to the dogs!

And as my father used to say, “voting gives you the right to complain.”

More Arcadia music on iLike

Gratuitous Chutney Shot

by Kristin Nelson

STATUS: It’s a crazy Monday and I haven’t posted Chutney pic in ages.

What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? DON’T FORGET by Brett Dennen

Today our client Courtney Milan was in town so we went to lunch. Knowing that Chutney likes to hang at the office, Courtney brought her own fur baby, Pele, to keep her company while we went and got some Thai noodles.

After a minute of furious growling, how dare another dog enter her domain, Chutney decided she really liked Pele and they spent the rest of the time snuggling on the couch together. (Couldn’t catch that shot!)

But here they are at the park post lunch.

Yep, I’m holding treats so I have their undivided attention… Clients and pets are always welcome at NLA.

Get Out And Vote

by Kristin Nelson

STATUS: Happy Election Day.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? STAR WARS (MAIN TITLE) by John Williams

Really, is there anything else to say today?

Chutney In Manhattan

by Kristin Nelson

STATUS: Who are these writers who expect me to proofread when it’s after midnight? Dang perfectionists. hehe

What’s playing on the iPod right now? Nothing on at the moment.

It’s another late night and I’m just done in for the night. I’ve got great things to share from my meetings today but it will just have to wait until I’m coherent tomorrow morning—and then I’ll blog for real.

In the meantime, Chutney pics.

She’s such a New Yorker now. She doesn’t even want her picture taken.

Chutney at the Hudson River promenade.
“I’m just so not into you.” Father Domo Park, West Village

After a long day shopping in Soho…

Blog Should Come With A Warning Label

by Kristin Nelson

STATUS: It’s been a great week but I’m still glad it’s Friday!

What’s playing on the iPod right now? PROUD MARY by Tina Turner

This might go without saying but just in case, I want to point out here that my blog should come with a warning. Even though I do my best to share information that allows writers to get a good understanding of what happens in the agenting process (because I believe that writers should be as knowledgeable as possible), by no means is my blog a substitute for real expertise.

In other words, don’t use the information learned here in lieu of an agent. Or, god forbid, feel ready to take on agenting yourself. The very thought frightens me!

Seriously. There are some rare exceptions but for the most part, agents learned this biz from other agents who have been in the biz for longer (or was a former editor who learned the ropes from the other side of the fence). Even though I went on my own fairly early in my agenting career, I freely admit that I wouldn’t be where I am now without the incredible selfless mentorship by several powerful agents who, just out of the goodness of their hearts and because we had connected on a personal level, guided me through many a hairy situation where I needed more expertise than I had at that moment in time.

Even though I share a lot on this blog, it’s not even half of what you would need to know to be a good agent.

So please, keep that in mind!

Now on a lighter note, I just couldn’t resist sharing pictures of Chutney in her new holiday hoodie. Just add bling!