Craft from the Couch #2: Chloe Caldwell on REISSUES

Chloe's novella WOMEN came out in 2014 with a micro press. Ten years later it's re-publishing with a Big 5 publisher. Wow! How? Why? Chloe spills the beans in Episode 02 of "Craft from the Couch."

I first met Chloé Caldwell in person in a grimy park in Portland, Oregon for a poetry reading under a big tree. I’d been a fan of her writing since reading her essay collection LEGS GET LED ASTRAY from FutureTense books in 2012. I loved the raw but polished, unassuming but brave voice I met in those pages, so it was little surprise when the IRL version of Chloé turned out to match the narrator of her books: charismatic but humble, funny as hell, candid, charming, and no-holds-barred regarding what she shares on and off the page.

Over the years, we crossed paths many times and I continued to fangirl everything she wrote. During meet-ups in Hudson, NY, where Chloé was living, we’d often discuss the fact that she “wasn’t into literary agents” and did most of her book and essay publications solo. My own agent was a fan of her writing, and over the years as Chloé’s reputation continued growing, I encouraged Chloé to give agents—the right agent, a.k.a. my agent—a chance. She finally did sign with Rebecca Gradinger in 2023 and now Chloe and I are UTA sister wives, which makes me very happy.

Hopefully, you have a great big question mark in your head right now. Who in the world gets courted by big agents and turns them down?? What kind of person tells literary agents “they’re not an agent kind of girl”? Chloé Caldwell, is the answer. In all the time I’ve known her, this is truly someone who puts art before money, art before comfort, art before everything else. Micro press, academic press, Big 5—it hasn’t mattered to her: what matters is the work.

In this second episode of my new video interview series “Craft from the Couch,” I talk with Chloé about the ten-year journey between the initial 2014 publication of her novella WOMEN with a micro press and its reissue in 2024 with Harper Perennial, a Big Five publisher. Chloé’s 2014 initial print run was 300 copies. It got some attention, but not tons of attention, and it eventually went out of print. Now it’s coming back to life with a major publisher. How? Why? Chloé tells us in this fascinating interview.

Reissues are having a bit of a moment—Taylor Swift recorded “Taylor’s Version,” Laura van den Berg is celebrating a reissue of her debut short story collection “The Isle of Youth” and Chloe Benjamin’s debut novel “The Anatomy of Dreams” has been reissued with a new cover that complements her bestselling second novel. I’m just thrilled that Chloé could walk us through the excitement and logistics of the book reissue process.

Thank you so much for joining me, Chloé! It was a joy to have you.

Fun opportunities and classes coming up

• This just in: A delightful opportunity at the MP Ranch this summer! The Monte Prieto ranch in New Mexico, where I host my own writing workshop, Turning Points, is hosting an “inner creative” getaway this July where two creative guides (and a chef!) will be on hand to support you through whatever creative project you bring to the ranch. The retreat is July 7th-13th 2024 and registration is still open. All information here.

• What in the h*ll is wrong with my book? Whether you are stuck in the no-man’s land of endless rejection in query land or on the essay circuit, have fallen out of love with a project, or just can’t seem to “fix” your work in progress, this three-hour masterclass will provide you with robust and actionable solutions to help you find your way back into the work so you can revise—and submit— with more success. Enroll in the June 5 class here (video is available afterwards if you can’t join us live). There is a discount for paid subscribers—code comes after the paywall below. If you’d like to become a paid subscriber and enjoy discounted masterclasses, book giveaways and other perks, please upgrade to join us.

• What the h*ll is hybrid memoir? I’m delighted to be teaching a class for industry icon,

  Jane Friedman
  on June 26th about what hybrid memoir is and how to pitch it. Come one, come all! Even if you’re not writing memoir, this will be an information-packed 90-minute class that will teach you how to prioritize the reader while pitching your projects, instead of prioritizing yourself. You can sign up here.

• I’ll also be teaching virtually for the June “Lit Fest” at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop— this is a 2-day bonanza of online and in-person classes with writers like Steve Almond, Sloane Crosley and Danielle Evans on the docket. You can purchase individual classes or a pass to the whole weekend—consider having your entire writing group sign up and make a DIY retreat out of it! You can see the full schedule of events, here.

Thanks for being with me!

Courtney

Discount code for Turning Points masterclasses to follow for paid subscribers.

Please note: The giveaway of Chloé’s novella is restricted to paid subscribers with a mailing address in the continental US.