I’m currently in the process of submitting a novel to Agents for their consideration. This isn’t for my first novel, but it is my first attempt at formal submission for my writing (excluding competitions, which will be a theme for another post). It is an exciting and nerve-wracking time. So far, I’m on my fifth attempt.

In order to submit my work to the correct agent, I need to understand their reading interests and the authors they currently support. Which is a great means of expanding my reading experience. However, it is also a challenge.

The more Agents’ bios that I read, the longer my ‘books I need to read’ list gets. Just yesterday I added 11, two weeks previously I added the same number, and in November I added 9. For details of these latest additions, and indeed any more that may follow, please check out my Goodreads page.

Quite when I’m going to get the chance to read these books, whilst completing the reading I am doing for my research, and writing, and my architectural work (which itself includes reading!)  I haven’t the foggiest idea.

Some of the books I have identified I wouldn’t not necessarily have investigated from the cover, or the title alone. Some I may not have come across – as I try my best to keep out of bookshops for the sake of my purse or may not be in sections of the library that I peruse.

As a writer, reading a broad spectrum is fuel to support greater understanding of writing techniques.

As a reader, my poor bookshelf is groaning, already overloaded.

I am one of those bibliophiles who struggles to pass a charity book stall without picking up a little something. (This is especially true of Agatha Christie’s as I would love to have a full collection of her works, and I’m well on the way to this!) I have had various strategies for distinguishing between the read and unread book on my shelves.

At one stage I had the as yet unread books in a separate pile. But then I would struggle to fit them into the bookshelf in the appropriate location, because there would not be a space for it. To solve this, I purchased a new bookshelf and inserted the unread books within the read books, but provided them all with a marker, akin to a bookmark but less decorative, so they are immediately obvious.

But then, the number of unread books grew, I ran out of little markers, and space on the bookshelves and the system faltered. However, as I am a repeat re-reader, I do have quite a good memory for what is read and not read, so this is only a minor issue.

I recently saw an idea on Twitter for a wheely trolley dedicated for the unread books, which is an amazing idea. However, this is yet another system and perhaps further complication. What I really should do (if I were sensible) is to actually read the books I have on my pile before purchasing any more.

This is where an excellent library service some in, and I have every intention of searching for the newly identified titles in their collection… just as soon as I have finished with the current stock of Gothic and Gothic inspired works that I am working through … and perhaps cleared a few from my dusty pile on the bookshelf.