Part 3 of 3 - How I Found My Agent Series

I found my pep squad and kept writing!

I began writing The Butcher’s Apprentice in early 2019 for a short story seminar taught by the Flannery O’Connor Award-winning author, Becky Mandelbaum. Becky’s class took place in-person, and was one of the last multi-day, live classes I attended before tucking in for some social distancing and a global pandemic the following year. But before that, in the second half of 2019, I also took a fantastic online story structure course with award-winning author and screenwriter, Jeff Bender, who illuminated the Hero’s Journey for me. A big thank you to Jeff and Becky for teaching the classes and inspiring the learning that stirred this manuscript into being. Both of them have been unfailingly kind and encouraging through all the tiny steps and successes my fledgling-novel has accrued. Take classes with Becky and Jeff, and read their writing!

If you peruse my past blog posts, you’ll see there were many people and organizations who supported me along the way: instructors and literary centers that sponsored awards. There were also people outside the literary scene who offered friendship and personal interviews that gave me insights into the characters I created. I’m deeply grateful to them all. The generous community I’ve built around writing has been my cheering section, and I, in turn, love cheering on other writers. I couldn’t have reached this point without having found my own pep squad; if you’re a writer, it’s important for you find one, too.

Announcement Time

I’m thrilled to announce that the newest addition to my cheering section is my literary agent, Cora Markowitz of Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. I had a good feeling about Cora when I pitched her, on a lark, at a WritingDayWorkshops conference this past December. Now, I’m looking forward to working with Cora to bring The Butcher’s Apprentice, and other upmarket fiction, into the world.

Thank you for celebrating this phase of my writing journey with me! There are many more to go if The Butcher’s Apprentice is to get published, as getting an agent does not guarantee publication. But it’s a happy step in that direction.

You can catch me on Zoom this evening, 2/6/25 at 7pm PT, speaking at the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association about their writing contests and awards. Register here for that event. Both members- and non-members are welcome!

Don’t forget to sign up for my occasional author newsletter to receive my latest writing news as my novel progresses. Thanks for reading!