A Q&A with Author and Literary Agent Kristin van Ogtrop

By TueNight Crew

Age: 57

Basic bio: Kristin is the author of the recently published Did I Say That Out Loud: Midlife Indignities and How to Survive Them. (You can watch a replay of our TueNight Tea with her here.) The former longtime editor in chief of Real Simple, Kristin is a literary agent at InkWell Management.

Beyond the bio: When I was younger, I felt like I just couldn’t wait for life to speed up — my parents joke that, even when I was a very small child, my constant refrain was “Don’t say tomorrow!” No delayed gratification for this one. Well into my 30s and 40s, I was always looking forward to the next thing. I’m not sure how much I actually enjoyed my life, even though there was so much to enjoy.  Now that I’m in my 50s, I am much more comfortable standing still. I am at this wonderful stage where I don’t dwell on the past or worry too much about the future — I’m very happy to be where I am. I hope it lasts.

What makes you a grown-ass lady? 

I feel an abiding sense of gratitude about my life and the friends and family I share it with. And I have ceased to care whether people like me or not.

1. On the nightstand: Blistex, iPhone, glass of water, thyroid medication, reading glasses, 11 books (I counted), with Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner on top of the pile.

2. Can’t stop/won’t stop: Can’t stop following several people I detest on Instagram, even though looking at their feeds makes me mad.

3. Jam of the minute: Anything by Anita Baker, who my 22-year-old son has now discovered and plays constantly.

4. Thing I miss: Laurie Colwin; effortlessly sleeping in; being able to drink more than one glass of wine without regretting it the next day.

5. ‘80s crush: John Cusack in Say Anything.

6. Current crush: Cody Rigsby, my favorite Peloton instructor. But he has a boyfriend, so I don’t really have a chance with him.

7. Latest fave find: These fabulous amazing-ugly indestructible sandals by Sorel.

8. Last thing you lost: My reading glasses about five minutes ago, even though I have four pairs.

9. Best thing that happened recently: A 4th of July long weekend with my parents, two sisters, our husbands and most of our children. Lots of family, mostly harmonious.

10. Looking forward to: As strange as it sounds, I’m looking forward to my youngest son entering high school this fall. Even though teenagers can seem like a pox on humanity, I actually enjoy watching my kids grow through this stage of life, when they are simultaneously so dumb and so smart.

Originally Published July 19, 2021.