<![CDATA[Author Jolandi Stadler]]>

<![CDATA[Author Jolandi Stadler]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Pxd8!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e784755-e2a3-4c9e-a90c-bce0919f6d5e_720x1280.jpegAuthor Jolandi Stadlerhttps://jolandistadler.substack.comSubstackSat, 05 Sep 2026 09:04:41 GMT<![CDATA[August Wrap Up]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/august-wrap-uphttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/august-wrap-upSun, 23 Aug 2026 14:43:46 GMT

Hey guys!!

Firstly - I hope your August has been blessed and productive!

It’s been such an exciting month - and I honestly can’t believe we’ve already had over 100 entries for the R1000 (ZAR) Exclusive Books Voucher Giveaway!

The winner will officially be announced on 7 September - and I’m ridiculously excited to see who gets it.

And the timing couldn’t be better because September, October and November are bringing us some very exciting book releases.

September Releases:

Dead Beat by Leigh Bardugo (Conclusion to the Ninth House Trilogy)
Tapei Story by R.F. Kuang
Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult
Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel
The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman
The Pirate Queen by Airel Lawhon
Trust Fall by Lynn Painter

October Releases:

Sarah J. Maas is releasing ‘A Court of Splintered Harmony’ - the sixth ACOTAR book. After years of waiting for another ACOTAR novel, I have a feeling it’s going to take over Booktok and Bookstagram.

November Releases:

The last King of Faerie by Cassandra Clare
Captive Traitor King by Brigid Kemmerer
Drown the Bones by Alexandra Kennington

So yes - whoever wins this voucher - is going to have no shortage of books to spend it on!

I’ve noticed that not everyone who entered this giveaway has followed my Facebook page, Instagram Page and Tiktok Page.

Guys - if you want to be eligible to win the voucher - please make sure you’ve followed all my social pages and subscribed to my newsletter…

Below is a link to all my platforms:

Available for iOS and Android

]]><![CDATA[Current YA, EROTICA and FANTASY Literary Agents Open to Queries]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/current-ya-erotica-and-fantasy-literaryhttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/current-ya-erotica-and-fantasy-literarySun, 23 Aug 2026 14:32:36 GMT

If you’re in the querying trenches - I’ve done some digging for you - and this took me a long time to put together.

For this list - I’ve focused on literary agents who are currently open to queries and specifically interested in YA, erotica or adult fantasy. I’ve also separated them into categories to make things a little easier - because nobody needs to spend three hours clicking through agency websites.

As always - please read each agent’s full submission guidelines before sending anything. Wishlists change - agents close to queries - and some have very specific requirements for what they want included in a submission.

YA:

Kirsten Lang - Zeno Agency
For YA - she is interested in fantasy, contemporary, historical, mystery, paranormal, romance and science fiction, alongside her broader interests in horror, romantasy, fantasy, crime and thrillers.
Her focus also stretches well beyond YA - so check her profile carefully and see if your project matches her current wishlist
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Rebecca Sherman - Writers House
She specifically represents Young Adult, Middle Grade and children’s literature. Rebecca is interested in discovering new talent and particularly likes MG and YA novels that authentically portray modern tween and teenage life
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Alec Shane - Writers House
He represents YA and Middle Grade alongside adult fiction and nonfiction. His YA interests are broad and include contemporary, historical, horror, mystery, speculative fiction, thrillers and other commercial storytelling.
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Hellie Ogden - WME
She represents children’s and Young Adult fiction alongside adult fiction and nonfiction. She gravitates toward bold storytelling, moving prose and vivid, thought-provoking characters and is particularly interested in developing debut writers.
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Linda Pratt - Wernick & Pratt Agency
Linda works exclusively within children’s publishing and represents authors and illustrators across picture books, early readers, Middle Grade and Young Adult, both fiction and nonfiction. She loves stories exploring other cultures, fish-out-of-water narratives, smart and witty dialogue, emotional truth, magical realism and historical fiction where the protagonist faces urgent and meaningful stakes. She is less interested in high fantasy and familiar vampire/werewolf storylines unless they offer a genuinely fresh approach
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Katherine Boyle - Veritas Literary Agency
She is currently accepting queries and specifically lists Young Adult, Middle Grade and picture books among her children’s interests. She also represents historical and literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, history, pop culture, women’s studies and natural history
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Lisa Grubka - United Talent Agency
She represents Young Adult fiction alongside literary fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction, humour, quirky/offbeat fiction and short-story collections. She also has broad nonfiction interests spanning memoir, journalism, science and technology, pop culture, health, food and lifestyle, sport and travel.
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Uwe Stender - Triada US Literary Agency
He has a very specific YA wishlist right now. For contemporary YA - he wants romance, rom-coms, boarding-school settings and thrillers with a hint of horror.
In YA fantasy - he points to books such as Scythe, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea and These Deadly Prophecies as examples of his taste.
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Jessica Hare - The Agency
She runs The Agency’s Children’s Books department and represents authors and illustrators across every children’s age range and genre - including YA. Her interests include YA fantasy, romance and science fiction - and she has previously described herself as particularly interested in voice-driven stories, immersive settings, strong characters and feel-good or funny fiction.
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James Catchpole - The Catchpole Agency
He represents children’s literature from picture books through Middle Grade and Young Adult, with a strong emphasis on voice, style, hooks and distinctive storytelling.
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Travis Pennington - The Knight Agency
He is actively interested in Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction, particularly manuscripts with a high-concept premise and a great voice. Travis does not want high fantasy. He also likes mysteries, psychological thrillers, horror and reality-grounded science fiction in the vein of The Martian or Dark Matter. He represents Christian fiction as well.
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Sheldon Fogelman - Sheldon Fogelman Agency
The agency specialises almost entirely in children’s literature, covering everything from picture books through YA. Sheldon himself represents children’s, Middle Grade and YA fiction.
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Sophie Hicks - Sophie Hicks Agency
She represents Young Adult and children’s fiction alongside adult fiction and nonfiction.
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EROTICA:

Tianna Kelly - Neighborhood Literary
She currently lists erotica among the genres she represents, alongside contemporary fiction, fantasy, horror, LGBTQ fiction, New Adult, science fiction and speculative fiction.
She’s especially drawn to Queer and own voices, stories with complex emotions, unforgettable relationships, and high-stakes worldbuilding - and she’s always looking for projects that blur the line between love and disaster (in the best way).
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Shannon Snow - Rosecliff Literary
She has a particularly broad commercial list and explicitly includes erotica. She also represents contemporary fiction, fantasy, horror, LGBTQ fiction, New Adult, romance, science fiction, thrillers, upmarket fiction and women’s fiction.
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Laura Zats - Headwater Literary Management
She represents erotica, commercial and contemporary fiction, fantasy, horror, LGBTQ fiction, New Adult, romance, science fiction, speculative fiction and thrillers.
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FANTASY ADULT FICTION:

Kirsten Lang - Zeno Literary Agency
She is looking for Studio Ghibli-esque fantasy with luscious settings, memorable characters and a powerful story. She is also interested in romantasy - but wants something that pushes beyond the familiar conventions of the genre rather than simply repeating what is already popular.
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Merrilee Heifetz - Writer’s House
She is a particularly strong option for science fiction and fantasy. Her current QueryTracker listing specifically identifies Fantasy as one of the genres she is seeking, alongside science fiction, YA and Middle Grade.
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Angeline Rodriguez - William Morris Endeavor
She represents fantasy and speculative fiction alongside other commercial and literary work and is interested in distinctive voices and stories that approach familiar ideas from unexpected perspectives.

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Paige Terlip - Starling Agency
Her current wishlist has a dedicated Horror and Fantasy section. She loves magic existing in our world, imaginative magic systems and worldbuilding that is genuinely important to the plot.
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Tricia Skinner - Fuse Literary
She represents adult fantasy, science fiction, romance and horror. She does not represent YA or Middle Grade fiction, making her a particularly good agent to consider if you have an adult fantasy manuscript.
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James McGowan - BookEnds Literary Agency
He is currently looking for adult fantasy and speculative fiction, particularly plot-driven novels with strong characters, commercial hooks and memorable prose. His fantasy comps include The Will of the Many, The Poppy War, Babel, Ninth House, Godkiller and Jade City.
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Josi Beck - Beck Literary Agency
She currently represents and accepts fantasy/urban fantasy, paranormal fiction, New Adult and other adult fiction alongside romance and mystery.
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I really hope this saves you a little time - because querying is hard enough with having fifteen tabs open while you try to figure out who is open or closed and who actually represents your genre…

Please remember to double-check an agent’s submission status before you query - even if I’ve listed them as open here. Things can change incredibly quickly in publishing - sometimes from one day to the next.

I’ll be back next week with another list - this time covering historical fiction, romance and comedy! 🧡

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]]><![CDATA[20 Magazines and Anthologies Publishing Speculative Fiction]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/20-magazines-and-anthologies-publishinghttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/20-magazines-and-anthologies-publishingMon, 17 Aug 2026 18:21:56 GMTHey guys!

If you write speculative fiction and have no idea where to send your stories next - I’ve got another list for you….

I recently came across a fantastic roundup - featuring 50 magazines and anthologies looking for speculative fiction. Fifty is a lot to sort through - so I’ve narrowed it down to 20 opportunities worth checking out

There’s a little bit of everything here - fantasy, horror, science fiction, dark fantasy, fairy tales, weird fiction, flash fiction and gothic stories. Some are open for submissions right now - while others will be opening their windows VERY SOON!

As always - please read the full submission guidelines before sending anything in. Submission windows can change, publications may close early once they reach capacity, and every market has its own rules around formatting and previously published work

Now - let’s get into it

1. Perseid Prophecies

If your writing falls somewhere within science fiction, weird fiction, cosmic horror, supernatural horror, superhero fiction or darker fantasy - this one is worth looking at.

They accept fiction of up to 10 000 words - giving writers considerably more room than many short fiction markets.

Deadline: 31 August 2026

2. The Fairy Tale Magazine

Fairy-tale writers - this one is for you!

Their current theme is Food in Fairy Tales - and they are looking for stories between 900 and 2000 words - as well as poetry. Think enchanted feasts, strange foods, old folklore and familiar fairy tales approached from a completely different direction.

One important thing to note is that they do not want horror or erotica and they pay $25 for accepted work.

Deadline: 21 August 2026

SUBMIT NOW

3. Flame Tree Publishing

Flame Tree has several anthology opportunities available - which makes this a particularly interesting one for speculative fiction writers

Their current calls include two romantic fantasy anthologies - Of Love Forbidden - AND - Of Fae & Fire - both closing on 13 September 2026

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They’re also accepting stories for Icarus and Pandora - two anthologies in their Myths, Gods & Immortals series. They close on 4 October 2026

SUBMIT NOW TO PANDORA

SUBMIT NOW TO ICARUS

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For their fiction anthologies - they pay $0.08 per word for original fiction

4. Translunar Travelers Lounge

If you prefer speculative fiction with some hope in it - keep an eye on this one

They are interested in fun science fiction and fantasy where, ultimately, things are not entirely hopeless. Adventure and romance can all fit here - but the important ingredient is that sense that good can still win

They accept stories up to 5000 words and pay $0.03 per word

Their next submission period runs from 15 September to 15 October 2026

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5. Synthesized Sunsets

Their current season’s theme is Excess - although stories do not necessarily have to follow the theme. They want speculative fiction in which the idea of what could be or could have been is central to the story

Stories can be up to 12500 words - although they prefer submissions of 5000 words or fewer

They pay $100

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6. Fusion Fragment

Science fiction writers - add this one to your calendar!!!

This Canadian magazine publishes science fiction and SF-tinged literary fiction - with particular interest in areas such as slipstream, cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic fiction and stories with something wonderfully bizarre about them

They prefer character-driven work and accept stories between 2000 and 15000 words

Payment is (CAD) $0.04 per word - up to (CAD) $400

Submissions reopen 1 November 2026

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7. Hearth Stories

They publish cozy speculative fantasy focusing on things such as nature, relationships and human connection. They accept fantasy and historical fiction - as well as some literary fiction

Stories should generally take place before approximately 1825 - or within a fantasy-world equivalent

They accept 1000 to 10000 words and pay $0.01 per word.

Submission period: 1 to 30 September 2026

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8. Astral

Now - for something completely different!!

Astral wants stories told from an alien perspective. That means extraterrestrials - but they are willing to stretch the definition considerably. Lovecraftian creatures, plants and even bacteria could potentially qualify. (Whatever your creative mind can come up with)

Stories should be between 1000 and 7000 words - and payment is $20

Submission period: 1 November to 15 December 2026

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9. Iron Faerie Publishing

Current themes include mermaids and sea mythology, Gothic horror combined with paranormal romance, Shakespeare-inspired speculative fiction, Celtic mythology and the Fair Folk

There are different deadlines depending on the anthology - with several opportunities continuing through December 2026

Because the requirements and payment differ between anthologies - check the individual guidelines before submitting

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10. ELA

Cats - that’s the theme 😂

ELA is a UK literary magazine celebrating the cute, creepy and peculiar, and its upcoming Purrfect Tails issue is looking for stories centred around cats

They can be magical cats. Horrifying cats. Robot cats. Wild cats. Famous cats reimagined. As long as the cat or cats are central to the story - there is plenty of room to play

Stories should be between 150 and 3000 words.

Deadline: 4 September 2026

11. Three-Lobed Burning Eye

They publish across speculative fiction and are interested in imaginative stories with distinctive voices, strong emotion, character and plot

They accept fiction between 500 and 7499 words and pay $0.08 per word

Submission period: 1 to 15 September 2026 - mark your calenders!!

SUBMISSION PAGE

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12. Dragon Soul Press

If you love themed anthologies - there is a LOT happening here. Dragon Soul Press has numerous anthology calls extending into 2027. Current and upcoming themes include fairy-tale retellings, witches, dragons, time travel, mermaids, underwater civilisations and fantasy oaths

Stories generally range from 3000 to 20000 words - and payment is through a royalty share

13. Plott Hound

Animal lovers - here’s another unusual one!!

Plott Hound publishes speculative fiction starring animals. They accept fiction between 1000 and 5000 words and also publish nonfiction and poetry

Fiction pays $0.08 per word

Submission period: 1 to 15 October 2026 - Mark your calender!!!

SUBMISSION PAGE

14. Carmina

If mythology inspires your writing, this might be worth a shot! They want work inspired by myths from any culture or period. Retellings, fairy tales, fables and modern reimaginings are all possibilities - and they are open to different styles and genres

Their current unthemed submissions have a deadline of 15 September 2026 - while their Monsters & Cryptids themed submissions have a soft deadline of 15 October 2026

15. Orion’s Belt

Flash fiction writers - here’s one for you!!

They publish speculative microfiction of up to 400 words and flash fiction between 401 and 1000 words. Science fiction and fantasy are central, but they also consider horror, magical realism, mythology, surrealism, superhero fiction and other speculative genres

They pay $0.08 per word for fiction

Submission period: 1 September to 31 October 2026 - Mark your Calender!!

SUBMISSION PAGE

16. Flash Fiction Online

Another one for writers who can tell an entire story in very few words. Flash Fiction Online publishes speculative and literary fiction - including science fiction, fantasy, slipstream and horror

September brings a special speculative fiction call titled Human-Shaped - running from 1 to 30 September 2026

Stories should be between 500 and 1000 words - and payment is $100

SUBMISSION PAGE

17. Enchanted Living

This one sounds perfect for writers who love magical and whimsical fiction. Enchanted Living - formerly Faerie Magazine - publishes work centred around enchantment, folklore, nature, magic and otherworldly beauty

They accept fiction up to 2000 words - although they prefer pieces of 1000 words or fewer

Their upcoming Winter issue has a Sorceress theme

Deadline: 1 September 2026

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18. Tasavvur

They accept work from writers of South Asian origin or association - including diaspora and mixed-heritage writers - as well as non-South Asian writers whose stories are deeply connected to South Asian themes or settings

They are interested in fantasy, science fiction, horror, magical realism, mythpunk, Weird fiction and genre-bending speculative stories

Stories can be up to 5000 words - and payment is $0.05 per word

19. Little District Books: Radiant Dawn

If you write hopepunk - this anthology might be exactly what you’ve been looking for

Radiant Dawn: A Queer Hopepunk Anthology wants stories about optimism, kindness and community overcoming difficult or oppressive circumstances

They accept stories between 2500 and 10000 words and pay $0.05 per word

Deadline: 15 October 2026

20. Uncanny Magazine

And finally a BIG one to put on your calendar. Award-winning Uncanny Magazine is opening for speculative short story submissions from 24 August to 7 September 2026

They accept fiction between 750 and 10000 words. Their speculative poetry submission period runs separately from 17 to 31 August 2026

They pay $0.010 per word

SUBMISSION PAGE

Guys - please remember that finding a publisher that publishes your genre is only the first step….

Read their guidelines - all of them. Check the word count, formatting requirements, rights requested, payment terms, whether simultaneous submissions are permitted and whether they accept previously published work

And don’t automatically reject yourself because a publication looks intimidating. If your story fits what they’re asking for, send it

The worst they can do is say no. Good luck! 🧡

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]]><![CDATA[Self-Editing Tips for Authors - From a Rookie]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/self-editing-tips-for-authors-fromhttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/self-editing-tips-for-authors-fromTue, 11 Aug 2026 21:47:03 GMTHey guys,

This post is for all the authors, writers, aspiring authors, aspiring writers, aspiring whatever you are. I thought I’d share a few self-editing tips I picked up along the way while working on my debut novel - ‘The Devil’s Dance’.

If you’d like to know more about my debut novel, kindly click the button below. The history of the dancing plague is so cool - trust me!

If you haven’t seen my previous post on self-editing for 10 months - I would suggest to read it first - and try and get a feel of what I’ve been through.

Guys - editing is not fun. I hate every - single - moment of it, and I finally understand why editors are so bloody expensive.

Writing isn’t magic - even if it sometimes feels that way. But behind every powerful and impactful novel - there is craft - whether we like it or not.

But this craft can be learned and perfected over time.

And you might think - nah, I’ve got talent. Bro - come back to earth. Honestly. I studied creative writing because I knew that talent alone cannot carry me into 6 figure deal with a big five publisher. We, as beginners, need to understand what makes stories last.

Creative writing gave me language for what instinct alone could not explain. It taught me structure. It taught me pacing. It taught me that tension is built - it doesn’t happen by chance. It taught me that inspiration is wonderful - but skill is reliable.

Over the years, through study, practice, critique, rejection, rewriting and relentless revision - I’ve learned that writing is about people having something to say and knowing how to say it with clarity and purpose. It is about precision - choosing the exact word - instead of the easy one.

I wrote this post (And Gosh - it took me a while to write) because I know what it feels like to doubt your own ability and stare at a blank page and wonder whether you are talented enough or original enough. And as a writer - originality is everything!

I do not want to overwhelm you with theory or drown you in abstract rules. I made a small list. I simply want you to sharpen your craft - like I have done. And I’m not saying I’m perfect - far from it actually.

So - if you’re still here - let me share my tips

1. Don’t Start With Grammar

This was probably one of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started editing. I wanted to fix every single word in every single sentence - but don’t do that first. You might spend twenty minutes perfecting a paragraph only to realise three weeks later that the entire scene needs to go. (Yes - I actually cried when this happened to me.)

Start with the story itself.

What is this story really about? What does your main character want? What is stopping them from getting it? Does the conflict become more difficult as the story progresses? Does your protagonist change from start to finish? What is the antagonist’s role? Does your ending actually resolve what you started?

Themes, character arc, structure and emotional cohesion should be your top priority. I deleted an entire chapter from my third draft and rewrote entire scenes.

Every Scene Needs a Reason to Exist

I cut more than 30 000 words from The Devil’s Dance during editing - thirty thousand. Some of those were scenes I genuinely loved writing, and I thought I needed them. I spent hours on perfecting sentences and conversations I thought were clear.

But you come to a point in your novel where you’re like - what is this actually doing for the story?

A scene has to change something. Maybe the plot moves forward. Maybe we learn something important about a character. Maybe the tension builds. A relationship shifts. New information comes to light. A decision gets made. Something happens that matters later.

If you can remove an entire scene and nothing changes, you need to reconsider keeping it. And please don’t keep something just because it took you five hours to write - I’ve done that - and my editor was like - WTF

Hunt Down Your Plot Holes

Once the structure is working, become the most annoying reader your book could possibly have and question absolutely EVERYTHING.

Why did she do that? How did he know that? Why didn’t they just leave? Where did that information come from? Would this character actually behave this way? Was this established earlier? Is that solution a little too convenient?

This becomes even more important when you’re writing fantasy, horror, historical fiction or anything involving supernatural elements. Your world can have witches, demons, ghosts, magic, curses or whatever strange thing you come up with really. Readers love that.

What they won’t accept is a story breaking its own rules whenever it becomes convenient for the plot. If magic has consequences - those consequences need to matter.

If your character has spent 200 pages terrified of something - they cannot suddenly become fearless because you need them to enter the creepy basement. Well - they can - but you’d better give us a bloody good reason.

Your Character Has to Change
I think this is something beginner writers sometimes misunderstand. Character development is literally transformation, not giving someone a traumatic childhood or a list of flaws.
You have to consider like - who is this character on page one - and who will they be on the last page….. I’m sure I don’t need to elaborate on this.

Pacing Does NOT Mean “Make Everything Faster”
This took me embarrassingly long to understand. I used to think slow pacing is bad pacing. Nope - it’s not.
A story needs rhythm. There are places where you want your reader flying through the pages. Danger. Arguments. Confrontations. Horror. Those scenes usually benefit from tighter prose and fewer interruptions.
But then something devastating happens - and your character probably shouldn’t be completely fine two paragraphs later. They need to react and sort of be portrayed as normal people.
Like - what would a normal person do after a break-up?
Let them react and let the reader react. Give emotional moments room to breathe.

Stop Explaining Everything
This is something I still do (FML). I’m a waffler, unfortunately, so I’ll explain one thing over and over again.
For example - Her hands trembled when she folded the letter.
(We already know something is wrong.)
You don’t need - She was nervous about what she had read.
Trust your reader - and truthfully - I still have to correct myself. Because I don’t trust people, nevermind the reader.
Body language, dialogue, silence, actions and reactions can often communicate far more than another paragraph explaining exactly what your character feels.
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Be Careful With Beautiful Writing
Now - anyone who knows my writing knows I love unusual words. I am utterly obsessed. I love atmospheric writing. I love description. I love metaphors. I love finding that perfect word like psithurism and dolor.
But - you can overdo it.
If every paragraph contains three metaphors, five adjectives and a word that requires the reader to consult dictionary - eventually your beautiful writing becomes exhausting.
Sometimes, The door slammed, is stronger than three lines describing the violent reverberation of ancient timber through the melancholic darkness.
You get my point - keep the beautiful sentence. Just don’t make every sentence compete with it.
Read Your Dialogue Out Loud
Please do this, and yes, you will feel ridiculous. Do it anyway.
Dialogue can look perfectly fine on a screen and sound completely unnatural when it leaves your mouth. Reading aloud helped me notice conversations that were too formal, sentences that were too long, unnecessary greetings, repeated information and dialogue that existed purely because I needed the reader to know something.
So - ask yourself - would this particular character actually say this?
Characters should not all sound like you - you’re building different personalities. They have different backgrounds, confidence levels, education, fears, humour and ways of communicating.
And another big one - people rarely say exactly what they’re thinking. Truly - imagine them in a social setting.
Check Repeated Words
This one is going to ruin your day. We all words and phrases we apparently cannot survive without.
Suddenly. Looked. Turned. Felt. Just. Really. Began to. Started to. For a moment.
Your favourites might be completely different. Search your manuscript for them and I promise you will be horrified.
This doesn’t mean every repeated word needs to be changed. Trying to find a different synonym for looked every single time is simply impossible.
The point is simply to notice patterns, and once you become aware of your writing habits, you start catching them while you’re actually writing.

Read the Bloody Thing Out Loud

Yes - again - but this time I mean the prose too. Your ears catch things your eyes don’t. Awkward sentences suddenly become painfully obvious. You hear repeated words. You notice sentences that are far too long. You notice when five sentences in a row have exactly the same rhythm. You also notice when something just sounds - wrong.

I can’t explain it any better than that. Sometimes you won’t know the technical reason. You’ll simply hear it - trust that feeling.

You Won’t Find Every Typo
I have read my manuscript so many times that I genuinely cannot give you a number anymore - probably more than 2505230. (Kidding - it feels like that though)
And guess what? I STILL FOUND TYPOS.
It is actually ridiculous. You can look at the same mistake fifty times and your brain will fix it for you without telling you - because you know what the sentence is supposed to say.
That is why fresh eyes are so important and that is why you DO NEED AN EDITOR.
Leave the manuscript alone for a while if you can. Change the font. Read it on another device. Read it aloud. Print a few chapters - although I’m against wasting so much paper. (I’m a conservationist at heart).

Know When to Hand it Over to Your Editor
This might be the most important tip on this entire list. There comes a point where you’re no longer improving the manuscript - you’re just changing it.
I could probably open ‘The Devil’s Dance’ now and find another sentence I want to rewrite. Then another. And another. And suddenly I’m 87 years old and still editing Chapter Four.
Like - at some point - you have to stop. Your job during self-editing is not to produce a manuscript so perfect that an editor has it easy. You’re paying them a fortune, and don’t forget it.
So - your job is to make the manuscript as strong as you can make it on your own - then hand it to someone who hasn’t spent ten months living inside your head.

ONE LAST THING…

Please don’t look at your first or second or third draft and think you’re a terrible writer. It’s not supposed to be the finished product. You are allowed to write something messy and then make it better. You are allowed to learn - that’s the whole bloody point.

The biggest thing self-editing taught me was to see my own writing differently. I started noticing structure. Character movement. Repetition. Emotional rhythm. Dialogue. Plot credibility.

And I’m still learning, and honesly - I hope I always will. Because talent might get you to the page, but craft is what teaches you what to do once you’re there.

So revise your work. Question it. Cut things. Rewrite things. Learn everything you can.

And eventually…..hand the bloody thing over to your editor

(STAY TUNED FOR MORE) XXX

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]]><![CDATA[Celebrating Woman's Day and Exciting New Writing Opportunities]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/celebrating-womans-day-and-excitinghttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/celebrating-womans-day-and-excitingSun, 09 Aug 2026 14:05:39 GMT

Today, 9 August 2026, South Africa celebrates National Women’s Day.

In case you were wondering about the history behind this important day, it commemorates the remarkable march of around 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Gauteng, on 9 August 1956, where they protested against the extension of apartheid pass laws to women.

If you’d like to learn more about the history of this extraordinary day and why we continue to commemorate it today - you can read more below.

I also wanted to send out a gentle reminder that my R1000.00 (ZAR) Exclusive Books voucher Giveaway is still open! Winner will be announced on the 7th of September 2026.

I’m so excited about this one - especially with so many incredible books still coming our way this year. September and October alone are bringing some seriously tempting releases - so that R1000.00 could certainly come in handy.

September has some exciting releases lined up - including ‘Dead Beat’ by Leigh Bardugo, ‘The Wretched Divine’ by Adalyn Grace, ‘Taipei Story’ by R.F. Kuang and ‘Hollow Bones’ by Jodi Picoult.

October is bringing ‘The Witch’ by Freida McFadden - which sounds perfect for spooky season. And - let’s not forget - ACOTAR fans have something HUGE to look forward to - with the sixth book in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series arriving.

So - if you haven’t entered yet - this is your reminder!

ENTER NOW VIA TIKTOK

ENTER NOW VIA INSTAGRAM

Fantastic Writing Opportunities for Short Story Writers

I’ve also noticed on social media that so many people are writing short stories but have absolutely no idea where to submit them. Guys - I’ve got you! There are actually some fantastic opportunities out there for short story writers.

Ash Tales
If you write post-apocalyptic or dystopian fiction, Ash Tales could be a great place to submit your work.
They accept complete and edited short stories of up to 2500 words. Previously published stories are also accepted.
SUBMIT NOW

Apex Magazine
If your writing tends to venture into the strange or unsettling corners of speculative fiction - Apex Magazine is definitely one to keep on your radar. They publish science fiction, fantasy and horror - with a particular appreciation for stories that have a darker edge.
They are looking for original short fiction of up to 9000 words.
Apex is also a paying market - offering 8 cents per word with a minimum payment of $50 (USD). If your story is selected for their podcast - they offer an additional 1 cent per word.
One important thing to watch is their submission schedule. During 2026 - Apex Magazine is closed to general submissions during alternating months: February, April, June, August, October and December.
BUT - September is around the corner! Below is their submission link.
SUBMISSION LINK FOR SEPTEMBER 2026
Subscribe now
Beneath Ceaseless Skies
They specialise in literary adventure fantasy.
They are looking for fantasy short stories and strongly prefer submissions under 15000 words.
Beneath Ceaseless Skies is also a paying market - currently offering 8 cents (USD) per word.
As always, make sure you read the complete submission guidelines before sending your work so you understand exactly which rights you are granting.
SUBMIT TO THEM NOW
Subscribe now
Escape Pod
If your writing leans more to science fiction rather than fantasy - this is definitely a publication worth keeping on your radar.
They accept original science fiction between 1500 and 6000 words - although their preferred range sits around 2000 to 4000 words.
Escape Pod is also a paying market - offering 8 cents per word for original fiction. They accept previously published work as well - with reprints currently paying a flat rate of $100 per story.
They are currently closed to general submissions, but writers won’t have long to wait. Their next submission window opens on 1 September 2026 and is scheduled to remain open until 31 May 2027.
LINK TO THEIR SUBMISSIONS PAGE
Subscribe now
FIYAH Literary Magazine
If you are a Black writer working in science fiction, fantasy, horror or another form of speculative fiction, FIYAH Literary Magazine is definitely a publication worth knowing about.
They accept short fiction between 2000 and 7000 words - as well as longer novelletes of up to 15000 words.
FIYAH is also a paying market, offering 8 cents (USD) per word for both short stories and novels.
KEEP AN EYE ON THEIR SUBMISSIONS PAGE
Subscribe now
Khoreo
If your speculative fiction explores migration, diaspora, identity or what it means to belong somewhere - you should submit to Khoreo.
They are looking for speculative fiction under 5000 words, although they have a strong preference for stories under 3500 words. This can include science fiction, fantasy, horror and other forms of speculative storytelling, provided the work fits the magazine’s broader mission - and the writer meets its eligibility requirements.
Khoreo is also a paying market, offering professional rates listed at 10 cents (USD) per word.
Their next fiction submission cycle runs 1 November to 30 November 2026.
SUBMISSION LINK AND INFO
Subscribe now
The Dark Magazine
If your writing sits somewhere between horror and dark fantasy - you should consider them.
They are looking for horror and dark fantasy fiction between 2000 and 6000 words. They make it very clear, though, that they are not looking for graphic or violent horror.
The magazine is a paying market - offering 5 cents (USD) per word for original fiction - up to 6000 words. They also accept eligible reprints and pay 1 cent per word for those.
As of today - they are open for submissions!
SUBMIT NOW
Subscribe now

Weird Lit Magazine
They want unpublished short stories under 3000 words - or up to three flash pieces under 1000 words each. They are interested in weird, horror, speculative, supernatural, magical realism, noir, experimental, psychological and literary fiction.
SUBMIT TO THEM NOW
Subscribe now

The Nonsense Realm
They are open to submissions all year round. They publish science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction, Gothic, apocalyptic fiction, cyberpunk, weird fiction and genre-bending work. Short stories can be up to 5,000 words, and they also accept flash fiction and poetry.
SUBMIT TO THEM NOW

Ploughshares (NON-FICTION)
If you write true stories, personal essays, memoir style pieces or literary creative nonfiction, this is a fantastic publication to consider.
For prose, they accept work of up to 6500 words - which gives you plenty of room for a complete nonfiction narrative. Your submission should be previously unpublished.
SUBMIT TO THEM NOW
Subscribe now

Wishing you all a wonderful day and hope your hubby/BF/Partner spoils you!

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]]><![CDATA[Which Literary Agents Are Open to Queries Right Now?]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/which-literary-agents-are-open-tohttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/which-literary-agents-are-open-toFri, 07 Aug 2026 16:46:51 GMT

Finding a literary agent can sometimes feel almost as difficult as writing the book itself. You search through agency websites, read submission guidelines, discover an agent who sounds absolutely perfect for your manuscript - only to see that they are closed to queries.

So - I thought I would make things a little easier.

I’ve been looking into literary agents who are currently open to submissions and decided to put together a list for fellow writers who might be searching for representation. Whether you have written fantasy, horror, romance, thriller, historical fiction, literary fiction, young adult or something completely different, there may be someone here worth researching.

Julia Churchill - AM Heath
She heads the children’s books department at A.M. Heath Literary Agency in London and is currently accepting submissions through the agency’s online submission system.
She represents children’s writing for ages 3+ and is particularly interested in discovering new middle-grade and young adult authors.
Her interests are quite broad. She says she isn’t overly prescriptive about what she wants and could be drawn to anything from a YA thriller or contemporary YA romance to junior fiction, verse, nonfiction or an original picture book concept.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW
Florence Rees - AM Heath
For fiction - she is drawn to page turners, complicated and flawed characters, strong relationships, humour alongside serious subject matter and emotionally engaging stories.
She specifically mentions enjoying relationship driven novels as well as YA and New Adult fantasy. Her own examples range from contemporary romance and commercial fiction to fantasy, suggesting that she is open to stories that cross several areas of the commercial market.
For nonfiction - she is interested in writers with something distinctive to say, particularly work that will appeal to millennial and younger audiences. She is interested in journalists developing an idea into a book, screenwriters moving into fiction, activists with platforms, and projects involving environmental and social issues. She also actively seeks writers who have traditionally been underrepresented in publishing.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Adriana Domínguez - Aevitas Creative Management
Her current wishlist includes children’s fiction from picture books through middle grade, as well as illustrators with distinctive and immediately recognizable styles. She is also interested in platform driven narrative nonfiction, ranging from children’s books through to adult nonfiction.
For writers - an important distinction is that her profile describes her fiction interests as select children’s fiction, rather than adult commercial or genre fiction. So she would be worth researching if you write picture books or middle grade - but she would not appear to be the right agent for an adult horror, romance, thriller or fantasy manuscript based on her current stated interests.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW
Chris Wellbelove - Aitken Alexander Associates
For fiction - he is particularly drawn to literary writing with originality, imagination and personality. His list includes both established and award winning literary writers - and his interests appear to lean strongly toward distinctive voices and ambitious storytelling rather than straightforward genre fiction.
For nonfiction - his interests are much broader. He is open to original ideas across many subjects and represents journalists, academics, memoirists, cultural figures and other experts. Current listings associate his nonfiction interests with areas including history, memoir, current affairs, politics, psychology, science and technology, nature and ecology, business and sport.
He is closed to poetry submissions.
SUBMIT TO HIM NOW

Alice Williams - Alice Williams Literary
She runs her own agency - a specialist literary agency representing children’s and Young Adult writers and illustrators.
The agency is permanently open to submissions from writers and illustrators working on children’s and YA book projects. But you have to live in the UK or Ireland to submit.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Saritza Hernández - Andrea Brown Literary Agency
For adult fiction - she is seeking romance, science fiction, fantasy, gothic tales and horror, cozy mysteries and upmarket commercial fiction.
For Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction - she is open to all genres, although she is particularly interested in finding more science fiction and romance. She would also love to find a Middle Grade romantic comedy - especially one featuring queer characters.
She also represents selected adult narrative nonfiction - including books exploring food and drink through culture and diverse cuisines, as well as narrative nonfiction that examines the world through popular culture or family dynamics.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Doug Grad - Doug Grad Literary Agency
He is the founder of Doug Grad Literary Agency, a New York based literary agency he established in 2008 after spending more than two decades as a senior editor at major publishing houses.
He could be particularly interesting for writers of crime, thrillers, suspense and historical fiction - as well as nonfiction writers working in history, military subjects, sports and true crime.
SUBMIT TO HIM NOW

Peter Rubie - FinePrint Literary Management
He represents a broad range of high quality fiction and nonfiction - with a particular emphasis on strong writing. When it comes to fiction - he is interested in literary thrillers, crime fiction, science fiction, fantasy, military fiction, literary fiction and middle grade novels.
Nonfiction - he is interested in narrative nonfiction, popular science, history, biography, spirituality, pop culture, business and technology, parenting, health, self help, music and food.
SUBMIT TO HIM NOW

Marcy Posner - Folio Literary Management
Marcy is looking for distinctive voices in commercial fiction - books that sit comfortably in the commercial space while still offering a strong and memorable voice.
Her fiction interests include thrillers, psychological suspense, historical fiction, women’s fiction and mysteries. She also represents Young Adult fiction, particularly contemporary, historical, romance and mystery - as well as Middle Grade fiction, including contemporary stories, science fiction and fantasy, historical fiction and mysteries.
Marcy is also interested in narrative nonfiction. Her nonfiction interests include cultural and social issues, journalism, nature and ecology, psychology and women’s issues.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Suzannah Ball – WME Books
For fantasy and science fiction - she wants beautifully crafted and imaginative worlds that feel fresh and different from what is already available in the market. She particularly loves speculative stories with romance at their centre, especially when the relationship actively drives the adventure forward or gives the characters something worth fighting to survive for.
Romance is a major interest for Suzannah. She wants swoon worthy relationships with genuine emotional impact, whether the story is an intimate small town romance or a huge sweeping love story.
She is also very interested in fiction with a darker edge - including stories that are gothic or weird.
On the more literary side of speculative fiction - she enjoys books that use elements such as magical realism and dystopia to explore human nature and what it means to be human.
For nonfiction - Suzannah is particularly interested in pop culture, entertainment and the arts.

SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Jon Cobb - HG Literary
He reads across all genres of fiction, but is particularly interested in contemporary Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, science fiction and fantasy, African American fiction, literary fiction, mysteries and thrillers. He is looking for compelling storytelling and distinctive voices across both commercial and literary work.
He also has a particular interest in stories involving geek culture, weird science, cutting edge technology and track and field.
SUBMIT TO HIM NOW

Sidney Boker – InkWell Management
She represents Young Adult through Adult fiction, including New Adult and crossover, and is open to a wide variety of genres and even genre mashups. She particularly enjoys commercial and upmarket that combines emotional depth with strong narrative momentum. She wants stories with heart, humour and, as she puts it, a little bit of strangeness.
Fantasy is a major interest for Sidney. She enjoys everything from high to low fantasy, along with selective science fiction, particularly when the speculative elements serve the characters and themes rather than existing purely for worldbuilding.
She is also looking for horror and thrillers. In horror, she prefers surreal, psychological and sometimes darkly humorous stories rather than gore simply for the sake of gore. She especially enjoys dark stories that retain humanity and relationships at their centre. For thrillers, she is drawn to clever social commentary and female driven narratives.
Some of her more specific wishlist items include underrepresented folklore, myths, obscure creatures, gods and histories, a sapphic western, strong friendship stories, children of immigrants, unconventional relationships and fiction that bends genres or is simply a little weird.
Please note though - that Sidney is not looking for fae, fated mates, Twilight style vampires or werewolves, novels in verse, picture books, straightforward historical fiction without speculative elements - or fantasy that is primarily a romance set in a fantasy world.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Larissa Melo Pienkowski – Azantian Literary Agency
For adult fiction - she is particularly interested in literary family sagas, genre blending fiction such as historical speculative fiction and horror combined with romance, high stakes heists and scams, murder mysteries, thrillers, feminist revenge stories, whimsical fantasy, high heat romance and historical fiction featuring unusual settings, events or protagonists.
For Young Adult - she is interested in queer, feminist and anticolonial revenge stories, as well as fresh approaches to dark academia in non European settings. For Middle Grade, she enjoys high stakes adventures, friendship groups, literary slice of life stories and complicated young characters dealing with big emotions.
Please note - she is not looking for Tolkien style high fantasy, dystopian novels, Christian or closed door romance, novels in verse, novellas or short stories, true crime or manuscripts over 110 000 words. She also does not want stories containing animal cruelty or gratuitously graphic depictions of sexual assault, domestic violence or hate crimes.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Charlie Serabian - Martin-Newens Literary Agency
He is primarily looking to build his list in genre fiction of all kinds- with a particular love for science fiction and fantasy featuring strong prose, distinctive style and memorable characterization.
He is especially drawn to writing with macabre elements, a deathly sense of humour or gothic sensibilities. He is also open to Young Adult horror, adult horror and adult thrillers.
Charlie is also interested in political intrigue - as well as select nonfiction. His nonfiction interests include books about restaurants and the restaurant industry, fascinating studies of lesser known people or events, education and true crime. For nonfiction proposals, writers should have an established platform or be able to demonstrate that their platform is growing.
SUBMIT TO HIM NOW

Sandy Harding – Spencerhill Associates
She is primarily looking for upmarket commercial and literary fiction for adult readers. She is particularly interested in women’s fiction suited to book clubs, especially stories that combine strong writing with characters and themes readers will want to discuss.
She is also looking for smart, page turning thrillers and suspense novels with complex protagonists. Mystery writers may also be a good fit, as Sandy enjoys mysteries across a range of styles, including cozy mysteries, historical mysteries and traditional mysteries.
Sandy is also interested in romance. More than any particular genre, however, she is looking for writing with an unforgettable voice and a story compelling enough that the reader simply has to keep turning the pages.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Ellen Scordato – Stonesong
She maintains a small and selective client list and is particularly interested in art, history, and mind, body and spirit titles. Her background in Classics and Art History, combined with her extensive publishing experience, makes her especially worth researching for nonfiction writers working within these areas.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Marlene Stringer – Stringer Literary Agency
She is particularly interested in book club fiction that sits between commercial and literary fiction, making her a good option for writers whose novels have an accessible premise while still offering depth and strong prose.
She is also seeking historical fiction and women’s fiction, including both contemporary and historical stories. She is also interested in older Young Adult fiction, particularly fantasy and contemporary YA.
For writers working on darker or more plot driven stories, Marlene is interested in crime fiction, thrillers of all types, suspense and mysteries of all kinds. She is also open to psychological horror, making her worth considering for writers whose horror focuses heavily on tension, atmosphere, fear and the psychological experiences of their characters.
Marlene is also looking for romance, although she does not represent erotic romance, as well as magical realism. Overall, her wishlist is fairly broad, spanning everything from book club and historical fiction to thrillers, romance, YA fantasy and psychological horror.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Kirsten Lang – Zeno Agency
She has a particular love for horror and is especially interested in water horror and workplace horror. Having grown up in Aberdeen, she would love to see horror inspired by the sea or Scottish landscapes, and she even mentions having a special interest in stories involving oil rigs. She is also actively looking for Scottish voices - particularly writers from the North East of Scotland.
She is also looking for romance and romantasy. For romance - Kirsten enjoys young, contemporary stories and mentions authors such as Ali Hazelwood, Ana Huang and Bolu Babalola as favourites. When it comes to romantasy - she wants something that feels fresh and outside the box - rather than stories relying heavily on familiar fantasy conventions such as elves.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Courtney Donovan – Writers House
She is particularly interested in representing children’s and Young Adult literature, with her interests spanning picture books, middle grade, YA, graphic novels and illustrators. Her own site confirms that she is actively building her list and directs querying writers to her current manuscript wishlist.
Courtney is especially drawn to fantasy, speculative fiction, horror, romance and contemporary stories for younger audiences.
Writers and artists considering Courtney should pay close attention to her current wishlist - as her interests can be quite specific depending on age category and format.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Angeline Rodriguez – WME Books
She is particularly interested in speculative fiction and loves high concept stories that blur or push the boundaries between genres. She is drawn to writers with a strong command of worldbuilding, whether their stories take place in realistic settings, completely imagined worlds or somewhere in between.
She has also expressed particular enthusiasm for fantasy. She is passionate about representing underrepresented voices and perspectives, especially when writers approach familiar genres or ideas in fresh and unexpected ways.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Geffen Semach – Westwood Creative Artists
For fiction - She is looking for upmarket and literary fiction, horror, thrillers, suspense, mysteries, historical fiction, fantasy, romantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction and romance. She particularly loves bold concepts and books that make the reader feel something deeply. In horror, she is especially interested in feminist horror, body horror and unsettling atmospheres, with feminist and BIPOC horror particularly welcome. Her thriller and suspense tastes lean toward atmospheric and psychological stories, while in mystery she would love to find a commercial cozy series aimed at a Gen Z audience.
Fantasy and romantasy writers should definitely take note. Geffen wants commercial fantasy with strong worldbuilding and diverse mythology, and she particularly enjoys stories involving competitions. She is also open to spice in romantasy. For science fiction, she wants commercial concepts with strong, spirited protagonists, while her speculative interests lean toward grounded, upmarket stories with intriguing concepts and powerful voices.
For historical fiction - she is specifically interested in non Western settings and enjoys multigenerational stories. In romance, she wants commercial and upmarket novels featuring BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQ+ protagonists, particularly when the romance unfolds within a strong, concept driven plot. She takes on very little YA and is not looking for middle grade, board books, WWII fiction, sports themes or stories involving muskets.
For nonfiction - she is interested in journalism, essays, social commentary, pop culture, politics, philosophy, arts, technology and media, as well as expert driven books covering subjects such as medicine, mental health, relationships, money, business and technology. She is also looking for non Western history and celebrity memoir, but is not interested in personal memoir or history approached primarily through a Western lens.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Megan Carroll – Watson, Little
For adult and New Adult fiction - she is particularly interested in romance. She would love to find romcoms, dark romance, sweeping epic love stories, high concept romance and romantasy. She enjoys familiar romance tropes such as enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love triangles and forbidden love - particularly when they feature underrepresented characters and cultures.
In fantasy and romantasy - Megan wants rich, layered worldbuilding and unique magic systems. For romantasy specifically, she wants the romance to sit firmly at the heart of the novel. She is also interested in fantasy inspired by different cultures, as well as retellings of lesser known mythology and folklore.
For Young Adult fiction - she wants contemporary stories with humour and romance, particularly books with a strong concept that speak to the interests and experiences of teenage readers.
She is also looking for YA thrillers, horror and epic fantasy, although she wants a romantic thread running through epic fantasy. For Middle Grade, she enjoys funny contemporary stories, unusual concepts and original adventures in both realistic and fantastical settings.
Writers should note that Megan is currently closed to picture book submissions and is not the right agent for adult crime, thriller or science fiction novels.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Uwe Stender – Triada US Literary Agency
For adult fiction - he is especially interested in suspense, thrillers and mysteries. He is also actively looking for more adult romance, and would particularly love to find a thriller combined with a hot romance. His current favourites indicate that he enjoys everything from gripping crime and mystery series to emotionally engaging contemporary romance.
For Young Adult fiction - Uwe is looking for romance, romantic comedies, boarding school stories and thrillers with touches of horror. He is also interested in YA fantasy and YA graphic novels - giving YA writers several different avenues through which their work might fit his list.
SUBMIT TO HIM NOW

Laura Crockett – Triada US Literary Agency
For both adult and YA fiction - She is looking for fantasy, including epic fantasy, historical fantasy, folklore and fairytale inspired fantasy, horror, gothic fiction and dark academia. She is also interested in contemporary realistic fiction with strong book club appeal. Her favourite books include - Babel, The City of Brass, A River Enchanted, The Year of the Witching, The Book of Gothel and The Thirteenth Tale - which gives writers a useful idea of the atmospheric, character focused stories that appeal to her.
In the adult market - Laura is additionally looking for historical fiction, particularly stories that bring a new or unexpected perspective to the genre.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Kayla Cichello – Upstart Crow Literary
Her tastes fall in the space between commercial and literary fiction. She is looking for captivating voices and rich worldbuilding. For children’s and YA work - she enjoys everything from heartfelt or humorous picture books to unpredictable YA, with a particular love for murder mysteries and clever romantic comedies. She also has a soft spot for picture books featuring animal protagonists.
Across her list, Kayla welcomes dark humour, suspense, magical realism and awkwardly adorable romance. She enjoys immersive settings and considers worldbuilding important even when the story takes place somewhere completely realistic, such as a small seaside town, rather than a traditional fantasy world.
Important - Writers should note that Kayla is not looking for science fiction, horror or high fantasy.
SUBMIT TO HER NOW

Hope this list helps a bit - I know how tiring and mentally exhausting the querying trenches can be. Stay tuned for more!

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]]><![CDATA[My Personal experience with Social Media Marketing - Update to my Previous Post]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/my-personal-experience-with-socialhttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/my-personal-experience-with-socialThu, 06 Aug 2026 20:23:16 GMTThis is a follow-up post to my previous post (on my website). If you haven’t read it yet, I would suggest to read it first.

These past few months have been intense and mentally exhausting. Marketing is not for the faint-hearted…let me tell you! I have spent - hours upon hours - on all different social media platforms trying innovative and creative ways to increase my reach as an unpublished author.

I suppose marketing yourself without the actual published book seems almost audacious (I dare say) and perhaps even foolhardy. Though if you have a clear set of goals and the determination to pursue them - I believe you can go very far in life.

I’m pretty much living proof of that.

There is not a person alive (I think) that actually loves marketing. Or maybe there is, but I certainly haven’t met them yet. If you have, please introduce me!

I’ve been told that once you understand algorithms, SEO, analytics and all the other moving parts, it becomes easier. I’ve worked in marketing for six or seven years - and I still can’t say I enjoy it.

That said - marketing teaches you some incredibly valuable lessons. You learn how to understand people and to communicate effectively. That’s very important to remember - always. The skills you gain are worth the frustration.

I am a Marketing Manager for a Big Five Safari Lodge in South Africa, and compared to books - that’s easy peasy. No matter how trends change, people will always appreciate unforgettable wildlife experiences and luxury accommodation.

In my previous post on the 2nd of August (on my website), I shared how I grew an Instagram account for the lodge from nothing to more than 10.5K followers without spending a cent on paid promotions. I did the same with Facebook, growing it from just over 2K followers to more than 21K - again without relying on paid advertising.

In hindsight, I probably should have included the exact numbers, because in just four days since publishing that post - both accounts have continued to grow. They’ve been gaining new followers steadily every day. My goal now is to double those numbers as soon as possible.

Now - on my personal author account - I’ve also seen growth. (Remember that this account is very new)

On Tiktok (Booktok), I’m currently sitting at 3516 followers. In just four days - I’ve gained another 814 - which honestly feels like a huge milestone.

To be completely transparent, some of my earlier posts were boosted with paid promotions. But I don’t think that’s what pushed me past the 3000 follower mark. I believe the real turning point was the video where I introduced myself and shared that I was looking for ARC readers.

(Which I still am - BTW)

ARC SIGN UP FORM FOR THE DEVIL'S DANCE

God - I was nervous about it. I filmed the video over and over in different lighting and from different angles because I was overthinking every little detail. It’s hard to speak to yourself - truly. But sometimes, showing the person behind the account resonates far more than any polished promotional content ever could.

On that note, I really wanted to keep it a faceless account focusing only on my work. But - I think - people genuinely want to connect with the person behind the account. Since sharing that video, so many people have reached out - not just the occasional creep - but readers who genuinely love books and writing. If you’re hoping to become a published author, that’s exactly the kind of audience you want to build.

I’ve also noticed other creators documenting their writing journey - something I was admittedly a little late to embrace. I’m currently working on a gothic fantasy series. The first book is finished, and I’m now busy with the second. I think it’s time to start sharing more of that process (the highs and the challenges)

We’ll see where the journey takes us - and I’ll keep you posted. (For any tips)

Then there’s Instagram. Unlike my other platforms, I’ve been stuck at roughly the same follower count for months. It’s like the algorithm has left me behind entirely. That said - I think part of the problem is me. I’ve been pouring so much time into TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Substack, my website and I have a job. I have to spend at least 8 productive hours on Isinkwe Lodge every single day.

So - Instagram has taken a back seat. I haven‘t engaged with other creators or building relationships on the platform. Instagram tends to reward exactly that - you have to be part of the community (just like Booktok)

Twitter - I’m pleasantly surprised by my growth. Very important info though - you can follow a thousand accounts, but there is no guarantee that they will follow back or support your journey.

You have to engage with the same community (#writtingcommunity / #booktwt / #AuthorsofX) and build meaningful friendships - even if that person happens to be on the other side of the world. I’ve been focusing on exactly that, and I believe most of the people who follow me are there because they genuinely connect with what I write and the work I share.

(Plus - I had no creeps sliding into my DM’s)

I’ve had a Twitter/X account since my journalism days, but I never used it. I honestly thought I deleted it years ago. In fact - my first actual post was a repost on 15 July 2026. So - 555 followers is very much a milestone - on an App that I’m unfamiliar with.

I also think the Pitch Event played a big role in helping me gain more followers. If you’re not familiar it, a pitch event is where writers share a short pitch for their manuscript using nice posters, pictures, art with a blurb and hashtags. Literary agents and publishers browse those pitches, and if they're interested, they like or engage with the post as an invitation to submit your manuscript. (This is very useful if you’re hoping to catch an agent’s eye)

Even if your pitch doesn’t receive a request, these events still attract a large community of writers, readers and publishing professionals, making it a great way to connect with like-minded people and grow your audience.

You might wonder, why am I expected to grow an online audience before a book release.

I signed with a publisher - and they will market my books too. But I’m with an independent publisher - not one of the major publishing houses like Simon & Schuster or Penguin Random House. Independent publishers have smaller marketing budgets, which means authors are expected to play an active role in promoting their own work.

In the publishing contract I signed, I agreed to help market my books. Honestly - that’s becoming increasingly common - even for traditionally published authors. Building an audience before your book is released gives it the best possible chance of finding the right readers when publication day finally arrives.

REDDIT - Delete the App. I hate it. If you read my previous post, you’ll understand exactly why. Let’s just say Reddit and I were never meant to be - and that’s OK

And no - I’m not on Threads. There’s not enough hours in the day for me to invest time in yet another platform and try to build a following there. From what I’ve seen, it feels very similar to Twitter/X.

Pinterest, on the other hand, I absolutely love. If I feel overwhelmed with life - I go there and browse through the pictures. I also use it to create mood boards for my stories, collect inspiration, organize research and share content. If you’re lucky, people might stumble onto your website. But - I’m not focused at all to grow a following there at the moment.

Now - I’m sure you’re wondering about SEO and the algorithm.

Let’s start with the algorithm. Every platform has one. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter/X, YouTube and even Substack - all use algorithms to decide what content people see.

The goal - they want users to stay on the platform for as long as possible. If your post encourages people to stop scrolling, watch your video until the end, leave a comment, save it, share it, or click through to your profile - the platform sees your content as valuable and is more likely to show it to even more people.

That’s why engagement matters so much. It’s not just about likes anymore. Comments, shares, saves, watch time, reposts, profile visits and meaningful conversations - all send positive signals to the algorithm.

One thing I’ve learned is that timing matters too. Since I live in South Africa, I rarely post only for a South African audience. Most of my readers are overseas, so I try to post when they’re awake rather than when I am.

As a rough guide, these times work well if you’re posting from South Africa:

United States (for their morning) - Post between 14h00 and 16h00 PM in our time.
United States (for their evening) - Post between 00h00 and 03h00 AM in our time.
United Kingdom - Post between 09h00 to 12h00 AM in our time (I’ve had a lot of success here).
Europe - Post between 10h00 to 13h00 PM in our time.
Australia - 22h00 to 01h00 AM in our time (if you want to reach them in their morning) Post between 11h00 and 13h00 PM in our time (if you want to reach them in the evening).

These aren’t strict rules - but I’ve had success with it.

Now - let’s talk about SEO.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In simple terms - it’s the process of helping search engines like Google, Pinterest, YouTube and social media platforms understand what your content is about. The better they understand it - the more likely they are to recommend it to people.

For example - imagine you write a blog titled ‘My New Horror Novel’. That’s fine - but it doesn’t tell Google much.

If your title is ‘How I Researched 17th Century Witch Trials for My Gothic Horror Novel’ - you’ve included keywords that people are actually searching for. Someone looking for gothic horror or witch trials has a much better chance of finding your article.

The same applies to your website, blog posts, Social Media captions - even image descriptions. Use words that your audience is likely to search for naturally.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of marketing and helps you on your own journey - whether you're an aspiring author, run a bookish account or are simply building your own brand as a content creator.

You don’t need to pay for an expensive course or subscribe to an unknown newsletter just to learn the basics. I’ll happily share what I’ve learned along the way. I’m still learning too - and if my experiences can save you some time and money - then they’re worth sharing.

I genuinely believe in supporting others in their endeavors - just as I hope people will believe in my writing journey.

YES - if we can learn from one another and grow together - then we’re all better off for it.

Sending you all love - and hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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]]><![CDATA[Moving My Blog and Newsletter to Substack]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/moving-my-blog-and-newsletter-tohttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/moving-my-blog-and-newsletter-toWed, 05 Aug 2026 18:40:42 GMT

Hi guys,

I know it’s only been a few days - but I just wanted to check in and wish you all a wonderful August.

I’ve decided to move my blog and newsletter to Substack. I still have a lot of other articles on my website. You can find the links to them below:

How Religious Conflict Fuelled the Witch Trials in Europe
(20 February 2026)
There was a time in Europe when the wind did not merely move the trees - it carried accusation. Between roughly 1500 and 1700, tens of thousands of people were tried for witchcraft across Europe and many were executed…
CLICK HERE
Self-Publishing vs. Hybrid vs. Vanity vs. Traditional Publishing
(26 February 2026)
When writers start out, most of us imagine traditional publishing as the gold standard. Your book appears in bookstores with beautiful displays. It feels official.
But what is often left out is the long tedious process leading up to that moment…
ClICK HERE
10 Powerful Historical Novels Written by Women
(4 March 2026)
There is something extraordinary about historical fiction written by women - and I LOVE History…
CLICK HERE
10 Must Read Ebooks
(4 March 2026)
E-books have completely changed how readers discover stories. With one download, you can step into terrifying haunted houses, emotional love stories, thrilling mysteries or relatable dramas. The best E-books of 2024 show just how powerful storytelling can be…
CLICK HERE
The Five Books That Made Me Cry
(5 March 2026)
Let me tell you - I am an empath. Give me a good book - I'll cry. Give me a bad book - I'll probably cry too. Some books entertain you for a few hours - and then there are the rare ones that leave you sobbing…
CLICK HERE
African Creatures of Myth and Folklore - When Nature and Legend Meet
(14 March 2026)
Across Africa, landscapes are not only home to remarkable wildlife but also to stories that have been passed down through generations…
CLICK HERE
Six Mystery and Thriller Books - From my Own Publisher - Worth Reading
(14 March 2026)
Mystery and thriller novels are some of the most addictive stories a reader can pick up. These six books offer gripping plots and mysteries that stretch from historic British estates to the dangerous wildlife crime networks of South Africa…
CLICK HERE
The Moment My Dream Of Becoming A Published Author Came True
(15 March 2026)
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a published author. It was never a passing thought - No - It was a dream that consumed me for most of my life.
When you love stories the way I do, the idea of writing one - that could belong in the world - feels almost impossible and completely necessary at the same time…
CLICK HERE
Writing My Book From Doubt To Confidence
(16 April 2026)
Writing a book in your second language is not something that happens overnight. For me - it has been a long journey that started years ago. I am Afrikaans, and growing up, I was never particularly strong in either language…
CLICK HERE
Short Story Month - Honouring My Sister Through Writing
(19 May 2026)
Short Story Month has been sitting in the back of my mind for a while now. I've been meaning to write something personal - not demons or dark folklore this time - but grief. The kind of grief that settles into your life like a fire and changes who you are - because that's what happened to me. The truth is, the last two years have been incredibly hard for me and my family, and I don't think I have truly opened up about it until now…
CLICK HERE
A Hectic Week of Edits and Emotions
(13 June 2026)
This past week has been one of the busiest and most exhausting weeks I have had in a long time. Most of my days have been spent working on the final manuscript of The Devil's Dance as it moves closer to production. I am excited and terrifed…
CLICK HERE
What 10 Months Of Editing Can Do To You
(28 June 2026)
I spent the last 10 months (Everyday) editing my manuscript for my debut novel, and let me tell you, I am mentally fucking exhausted, considering to book myself into a clinic and sleep for as long as I possibly can…
CLICK HERE
25 Beautiful Words Every Writer Should Know
(28 June 2026)
As an author (almost author) - I have an obsession with words - It's bad…
CLICK HERE
What My Editing Journey Taught Me - The Do's and Don'ts Every Writer Should Know
(12 July 2026)
When people hear that you've signed a publishing contract, they often imagine the hard work is over. I thought getting accepted meant my manuscript was finally "finished." It wasn't - If anything - signing with Black Rose Writing marked the beginning of the most challenging part of my writing journey…
CLICK HERE
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY MONTH - SO LET'S CELEBRATE TOGETHER!
(15 July 2026)
I'm giving away a R1000 (ZAR) Exclusive Books voucher to one lucky winner! Whether you've been wanting to pick up that bestselling novel that's been sitting on your wish list or simply treat yourself to a stack of books - this is your chance…
CLICK HERE
24 Publishers Currently Open for Submissions
(16 July 2026)
One of my favourite things to do between writing sessions is keeping an eye on publishers that are actively accepting submissions…
CLICK HERE
The Joffe Books Prize 2026 Could Be Your Big Break
(20 July 2026)
If you've been dreaming of seeing your crime novel on bookstore shelves, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for…
CLICK HERE
My Personal experience with social media marketing - FML
(2 August 2026)
I always said - I will NEVER IN MY LIFE work in marketing. As an author - you literally have no choice. Thankfully, on my little platform I can vent and scream, and share my journey as I go.
I am a Marketing Manager for a Big Five Safari Lodge in South Africa - honestly - that’s a piece of cake compared to marketing myself and books…
CLICK HERE
Dark Romance vs Commercial Romance - Two Very Different Love Stories
(5 August 2026)
Romance is one of the biggest genres in publishing today, but not every romance novel is trying to give readers the same experience. If you’ve spent any time on BookTok or in a bookstore recently, you’ve probably come across the term **dark romance**...
CLICK HERE

Friendly reminder that the Exclusive Books Giveaway is still active. Don’t forget to tell your friends and to follow all the guidelines in my post to qualify for the voucher.

I will announce the winner on the 7th of September 2026…

Stay bookish and fabulous!

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]]><![CDATA[The History behind my debut novel: The Devil's Dance]]>https://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/the-history-behind-my-debut-novelhttps://jolandistadler.substack.com/p/the-history-behind-my-debut-novelWed, 05 Aug 2026 17:13:30 GMT

In the summer of 1518 - Strasbourg was a city under strain. Part of the Holy Roman Empire, the city sat along the Rhine - prosperous in trade yet burdened by hardship. There were failed harvests, rising grain prices, outbreaks of disease and deep religious anxiety. Poverty was widespread - in fact - there was a huge divide between the rich and the poor.

Then - in July 1518 - a woman stepped into the street and began to dance. Her name, preserved in later accounts, was Frau Troffea. According to contemporary records, she continued dancing for days, collapsing from exhaustion only to rise again and resume the motion.

Within a week - others joined her. At first, it was a handful, perhaps drawn by curiosity or fear. Then - dozens. By early August, estimates suggest that as many as 400 men and women were caught in the same relentless compulsion.

Physicians of the time concluded that the afflicted suffered from overheated blood - a humoral imbalance common in medieval medical theory. They urged authorities to allow the dancing to continue, until the sickness burned itself out. Eventually, stages were erected and musicians were hired.

But the frenzy deepened and soon people started to die...yes...they actually died...

Reports from the period suggest that dancers died from heart failure from sheer exhaustion or strokes, though exact numbers remain debated.

Eventually, civic leaders reversed course and music was banned. The dancers were transported to shrines, particularly those dedicated to Saint Vitus - a figure long associated with movement disorders and convulsive illness. The afflicted were fitted with red shoes and led in solemn processions in hopes that divine intervention would succeed where medicine had failed.

By September, the outbreak began to subside, and as mysteriously as it had begun, it ended.

Even now - historians and scientists cannot offer a single or definitive explanation. There was no identifiable pathogen. It was not the Black Death, nor a fever transmitted by insects. It spread not through cough or wound, but through proximity and observation.

MASS PSYCHOGENIC ILLNESS

Modern scholars largely interpret the outbreak as a form of mass psychogenic illness - a collective stress response that arises in communities subjected to prolonged hardship. Strasbourg in 1518 had endured years of failed harvests, rising food prices, outbreaks of disease and recurring political tension. Many families lived on the edge of starvation. Religious life was intense and often fearful, shaped by sermons that emphasized divine punishment and moral reckoning.

In such an atmosphere of anxiety and instability, psychological strain could surface in physical form. When one individual began to dance in apparent distress, others may have unconsciously mirrored the behavior, their bodies expressing fear and desperation in a shared and visible language.

ERGOT POISONING

Another theory points to ergot poisoning, caused by a fungus that infects rye - a staple grain in the region. Ergot contains alkaloids that can induce convulsions and hallucinations. In severe cases, it can cause gangrene or severe neurological symptoms.

While this explanation offers a biological mechanism, many historians and medical researchers remain skeptical. The effects of ergot poisoning are typically chaotic and debilitating, often leaving victims unable to sustain coordinated movement. The prolonged and rhythmic dancing recorded in Strasbourg, does not align quite neatly with the symptoms associated with ergot toxicity. As a result - the theory remains debated.

What remains clear - the event unfolded in a culture steeped in religious symbolism. The concept of ‘Saint Vitus’ Dance’ already existed in European thought. People believed that saints could curse or cure movement disorders. The Dancing Plague of 1518 was also not entirely isolated. Similar outbreaks, sometimes called ‘dancing manias’, had occurred in parts of Europe before.

But the Strasbourg outbreak remains the largest and most haunting, involving the greatest number of documented dancers. It makes me wonder how fragile the boundary is between mind and body.

I think, in a city already burdened by hunger and fear, one woman stepped into the street and began to dance, and in her motion, others seemed to recognize their own unspoken distress. The dance spread from body to body - through shared suffering and the fragile architecture of the human mind under strain.

More than five centuries have passed, and the records remain incomplete and the explanations uncertain. Yet the central mystery endures. It was this mystery that ultimately led me to write -

‘The Devil's Dance’.

Want to learn more about my debut novel? Click on the button below

DISCOVER THE DEVIL'S DANCE

I'd love to know your theory. What do you think really happened during the Dancing Plague?

Leave a comment

REFERENCES:

https://www.britannica.com/event/dancing-plague-of-1518

https://www.history.com/articles/what-was-the-dancing-plague-of-1518

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/dancing-plague-of-1518-strasbourg-choreomania

https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(09)60386-X/fulltext

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