2012 US Tour Part 1: New York

Greetings from sunny Los Angeles! I’ve been on the road (and rail and air) for a while. I think I need to break this epic journey into smaller parts, so for now I give you Part the First: New York!

It all started mid-March when I flew to NY to launch our new gay wedding invite business, Queer Getting Married, at the GLBT Expo. (You can read my last post to read all about that). Some highlights that I didn’t mention were hanging out with my girls, Julia and Allison. We’ve been supah-dupah tight since our freshmen year at Syracuse. That reminds me, I really need to share some of my college misadventures, though they are not for the faint of heart. Granted, though I was the goodie-two-shoes of the bunch, I bore witness to many a tale. I also need to do a post about Julia, who happens to be an amazing artist. Till then, I will toss you a link to her site for your viewing pleasure.

Julia & Al, my special girls

The Monday after, I stayed in the city long enough to finally walk around Highline Park and have launch with my good friend Cathy. The picture below really doesn’t do the park justice. It’s something you have to experience. It was so gorgeous out–nearly 80 degrees without a cloud in the sky. Coming from Seattle, this amounted to a divine blessing. I gave thanks by making an offering of fresh macarons…which I ate.

Later I hopped a train to my hometown of Nanuet, which the photo below does plenty of justice. I learned that the old Nanuet Mall is being torn down to be rebuilt as “The Mall at Nanuet.” And you asked yourself why I moved. I had some good quality time with the fam as I recovered from some form of bubonic plague that I managed to score the week prior. I’m usually a “rest and tea” sort of person, but since I was travelling for the next few weeks, I didn’t mess around and got me some grade A antibiotics.

Nanuet, home of "nothing really interesting at all"

I did manage to do a little work while I was home. For an hour. On my parents’ patio. I really needed to sop up as much sun as I could while I was outside of Seattle.

My new "home office"

MacGyver Season 1: Blowin' $#!t up, mullet style

Other highlights included sleep and a Blockbuster going out of business sale, where I scored $2 copies of Inception, Mad Men Season 4, and one disc from Season 1 of MacGyver, which my brother, sister, and I promptly watched upon returning to the house. I remember learning a lot from MacGyver when I was little, and I’m still learning from his big Hollywood brain. For instance, I never knew that nuclear power plants are run by three scientists and a security guard, that there are only two people employed as freelancers by the US government who know how to disarm “complicated” bombs, and that the inside of a nuclear waste disposal chamber is a good hiding place for top-secret documents. Something I did already know was that a supporting character who appears in an action show during the 80s who is either– 1. a happily married minority with children or 2. the prettier girl’s roommate– are doomed to die in some kind of horrific explosion.

The next morning, after an onslaught of hugs and kisses and stuffing a homemade Irish soda bread into my luggage, I was off to Penn Station to ride the train to Baltimore. With my new-found MacKnowledge, I was ready to face any eventuality with my friend, Lara. Tune in next post to hear all about Maryland, homemade cupcakes, and ferrets!

Old Family/New Family

Wednesday night, I flew into New York to meet with several literary agents that have been interested in representing me. I’ll get to the exciting news of my decision in a minute, so keep your shirt on.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, I surprised my parents, who were completely unaware of my trip. My sister picked up my brother and I, and (by the grace of God) brought us home to Nanuet. As she sped through Midtown, gleefully squeaking “weeee!”, I dug my claws into the door handle and reflected on my life’s highlights. I have experienced cab rides in New York, Rome, and Manila, and all pale in comparison to our get away ala Bourne Identity. Anyway, I love my sister, even though she’s given me a new-found appreciation for NJ Transit (*I am not from New Jersey. Nanuet is in New York towards the end of the NJ Transit line, thank you very much).

typical Curato Clan scene

We successfully shocked our Dad at home cooking crab legs in his pajama pants, as he is prone to do. Of course, of all the nights I drop in unannounced, our Mom was at a mandatory work meeting. So, the three of us went for pizza, and then surprised her upon exiting her meeting. It’s kinda funny watching my Mom shriek like that, although I do worry about giving her a heart attack. We went home and spent a few hours laughing about…something. My mother and sister have an infectious laugh. Once they get hooked on something, they can’t stop, and then everyone around them can’t stop because they keep going, getting redder and louder and teary until they’re gasping for air. Finally, my sister brought me back to my friend’s apartment on the Upper West Side. Thankfully, there were fewer cars with the potential to hit on the way back…

Kyle is unfazed by Mom's hysteria

I also got to see an all-star cast of friends on my trip, including Sarah Jane, who I recently blogged about. Several even managed to take me out to dinner and dancing Friday night, which is a rarity for me these days. I still got the moves…although I was feeling a little…not-in-my-twenties. Also, I can no longer drink like I’m in my twenties, so I left a little “early” at 2AM to pack, shower, and get some sleep before my flight.

OK! Onto the big news!

I met with four agents. They are all smart, passionate individuals who are devoted to some of the best talent in publishing. I did my homework before the trip and talked to children’s book artists/writers that each represent. They all had wonderful things to say. This was a bit disappointing, as I was hoping that at least one or two of them would be evil goons, and therefore make it an easy decision to cross them off the list. But no, they all proved to be lovely. One took me to lunch. One even lent me an umbrella for a day, which really came in handy.

However, I have to say that one just felt right in my gut, and as much as I would love to work with them all, I have decided to sign with Brenda Bowen of Sanford J Greenburger Associates. Brenda has over 30 years in the children’s book industry as an editor, a publisher, a writer and an agent. I am honored that she (and the other agents) see my potential, and I can’t wait to get started!

My new little friend. I think I will call her Wispy

On Friday, I met with Brenda at her office and talked for a while. Afterwards, she invited me to a monthly get-together of some of her artists at The Old Town Bar. OK illustration nerds, hold on to your seats! I got to have drinks and fried appetizers with Carin Berger (Forever Friends), Jessie Hartland (How the Dinosaur Got to the Museum), Naoko Stoop (whose first book, Red Knit Cap Girl, comes out this summer), and Chris Raschka (who just won his second Caldecott Award for A Ball for Daisy). We also had a little Valentine gift exchange. I received this beautiful piece by Carin Berger, pictured above.

It was a wonderful trip. I got to see my old family and meet my new one.

These are exciting times.