Read:

Guys, there are so many good things to read this week. I feel like I’m drowning in content, in a good way. As Jarrett would say “MOAR CONTENT!!” (And now he’s the happiest person in the world because an MGOblog joke finally made it on to here. Sigh.)

Here’s a roundup of everything worth reading on the interwebs this week:

• How To Find a Literary Agent for Your Book (Jane Friedman): One of the most accurate and comprehensive guides to finding a Literary Agent that I’ve seen.
• 6 Actionable Social Media Strategies from Successful Brands (Liz Dennison at Buffer): “Being great on social media isn’t always intuitive. Sometimes the best way to learn is to get inspired by what others are doing.”
• What To Do When You Absolutely, Positively Must Know If Your Content Will Rock (Brian Clark at Copyblogger): “The audience decides what’s worthy across the board — in film, music, books, and any other form of content that’s produced by the imagination of a determined individual or group. It’s always been this way, but now the relationship is direct thanks to the Internet.”
• How I Used Twitter to Find a Literary Agent, Grow My Business, and Fall in Love (Alexis Grant on The Book Designer): It’s true–Twitter is awesome, especially for fiction writers. But here’s why Twitter might not be right for all authors.
• Build a Killer Conversation Strategy With Nothing But Time and Empathy (Brad Tiller at Unbounce): A good reminder that at the end of the day, building your platform is really about helping others.
• The Story Grid Book is Here. (Shawn Coyne): I started reading this book last night and am deep obsessed already. An essential read for the writer who wants to figure out why their story isn’t working and how to fix it.
• Sweet House Alabama premiering on HGTV on Sunday at 2 EST! (Shaunna West of Perfectly Imperfect): I was Shaunna’s editor for her book, The $50 Home Makeover, and so I’m thrilled to see that she now has her own show on HGTV! Watch the ridiculously adorable trailer here.

Drink & Eat:

Here’s Jarrett:

Spring, truly, is one of the happiest times of year — especially in the South. Why? Horse races. Say what? Yes sir, I said horse races. This time of year little towns throughout Dixie (like Charlottesville and Warrenton, VA) host horse races and steeplechases and many other types of equine-fueled running-and-jumping competitions. Not into horses? Then go to hell  bear with me here, as horse-related sporting events are awesome even for non-horse people. Why? Because of the booze.

There’s just something about watching a 1,000-pound mass of animal flesh flying around an open field — at peril to itself and rider — that goes well with day drinking. And of course, the most famous example of matching horse racing to cocktails is the legendary pairing of the Kentucky Derby and the mint julep. (Coincidentally, a mint julep was the first hand-crafted cocktail I ever made, using fresh mint from my Mom’s herb garden on our Michigan farm).

With the Derby coming up this Saturday, it’s officially julep time. Juleps are simple, but they can also be simple to screw up. Stay away from fancy-schmancy mint-flavored syrups or–heaven help us!–club soda.  The only true ingredients are crushed ice (essential for juleps), simple syrup (works way better than sugar), mint leaves, and bourbon. That’s it.

Luckily, the folks over at Garden & Gun show us the way with this excellent how-to video for julep making. Give it a watch — and then make yourself a julep! (We did.)

Need something to go with that julep? Try these Not Derby Pie Bars from Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen (a Stonesong author)!

We’ll be at the Virginia Gold Cup tomorrow–hope your weekend is full of juleps, pie, and horse racing, too!