My name is Mary Kate Pagano, but you can call me MK. I live on the top floor of a converted pencil factory in Jersey City. I like to wander. I consider books as important to survival as food. I spend a great deal of time writing down the stories of the people I’ve made up in my head.
I write about reading, writing, traveling, and living in this space. If any of these things are of interest to you, I suggest you stay a while.
Reading: I read a lot. I feel unwell when I’m not immersed in a book. I talk about my favorite books and authors quite frequently. Please join in!
Writing: I’ve completed drafts of three four novels: a young adult mystery set in Normandy, France, a young adult contemporary/thriller set at the Jersey Shore, another young adult contemporary about a high school stage crew, and a weird feminist maybe-fantasy filled with political intrigue and some musings on what it means to be an unattractive female in a world where that’s valued. The Jersey Shore story I’m editing (for the millionth time) finally querying! is on submission after many revisions, thanks to my amazing agent; the stage crew story is going through its fifth sixth round of revisions; the mystery and fantasy are waiting on shelves, for now. I have several other ideas in the works and am working on one of them probably as we speak. I’ve learned a tremendous amount in the years since I’ve started taking this whole writing thing seriously, and hope you find my learnings useful.
Traveling: I spent the first 18 years of my life at the Jersey Shore. I spent the next 5 years in Worcester, Massachusetts. Then I took off for a year, exploring many corners of Europe, particularly France, before “settling down” in New York City. I still make it a point to leave the country and go somewhere I’ve never been at least twice a year and write a funny story about it. I had a baby, so travel less than I used to, but the wanderlust is still alive and well deep inside of me.
Living: As a person who has over a quarter of a century of living behind her, I feel as though I’ve learned a decent amount of things, though nowhere near all the things. I like to share what’s helped me along the way in the hopes that it will be helpful to you, too.
I also talk books and other writerly (and wanderlusty) things in these places:
Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram (bookish), Instagram (personal), Tumblr (bookish), Tumblr (personal).
I can be reached at mary {dot} katherine {dot} 18 {at} gmail {dot} com
I discovered your blog through a comment on another Blog. It’s very rare for me to encounter another Mary Kate! Who writes! How cool!
You’ve got a new follower. Nice to meet you!
LikeLike
Mary Kate, I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award!
https://readsandroses.com/2018/01/16/blogger-recognition-award/
LikeLike
Oh thank you so much! That is so sweet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, stopping by after you commented about podcasts to listen to on my near dormant blog – and liked what I saw! So… hi!
LikeLike
Hi MK! Thought I’d swing by after you left a comment on my guest post at DIYMFA.com. You have a beautiful blog. And, I’m totally intrigued on the converted pencil factory as home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! Your response was super helpful, thanks. Whenever I see blog posts on “How to get ideas”, I skip right over them–I have TONS of ideas and my problem, as always, is finding the time to fully realize them. And yes, my converted warehouse apartment building is the best 🙂
LikeLike
Hey, I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! Don’t feel like you have to accept it or take part, but I just thought I’d let you know 🙂 You can see the post here: https://wordsaretheweapon.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/the-liebster-award/
LikeLike
Just dropping by to say I really like your blog! All my favourite things: literature, travelling, and cats. 😊
LikeLike
Thank you so much!
LikeLike
Great blog tagline. New fan and follower 🙂
LikeLike
Aw, thanks! Welcome!
LikeLike