Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc).
I recently signed with Marietta Zacker at Zacker Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. It was meant to be! #zackerpack #zackattack
How did studying/retreating at The Writing Barn support you in achieving this goal? What workshop/intensives/or classes have you taken with us?
The Rainbow Weekend Retreat led by Amy Rose Capetta, Cory McCarthy and Jim McCarthy (no relation, right?), was sincerely life changing. I have never been in a room full of LGBTQIAP+ identifying writers before. It was affirming and validating to be in a space where I didn’t feel like I had to defend my work because of its queerness. To be celebrated BECAUSE of its queerness was a breath of fresh air.
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal?
When have I not been writing? I have always been writing. I have been pursuing finding an agent with this manuscript on and off since last summer. Before I wrote this middle grade manuscript, I tried finding an agent for a picture book I wrote for almost two years.
What fears/hopes did you have before attending the WB class or intensive?
Honestly, I had 0 expectations coming into Rainbow Weekend. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
How did the atmosphere of The Writing Barn aid you in achieving this goal?
The uplifting community truly helped me feel more confident going forward as I queried agents. I honestly feel like they even hyped up my tweet when I was participating in DvPit. Shout out to my Gays™.
Have you made friendships/colleagues as well? How has that supported you?
Yessssssss. My new friends are everything. How has it not supported me? I’m not even sure if I can write a coherent response to this question because my response is all emotion!
Why do you think attending workshops/classes is important to writers at all stages of their career?
I think we all deserve to find people who see us. People who support us. People who are cheering you on when you’re winning, and there when you are also struggling. I believe you can learn something from each experience.
It’s important to keep putting yourself out there. I don’t know if I’m someone to talk about all stages of my career because I’m just starting out, but I can say that all of my workshops, classes, conferences, meetups, write-nights, retreats, etc, have helped me gain insight into the publishing world and I’ve been very lucky to make friends along the way.
What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build and develop your career?
Believe in your work. Believe in yourself. Believe in your community. ENJOY THE PASSAGE OF TIME. HAVE FUN!
Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?
I think it’s so important to find a writing community. Reach out! Find a workshop! Join a local write night. Join SCBWI! Go to events. Network. Writing is such a solitary act so finding community can be a total game changer. Your writer friends will be some of your best cheerleaders and can help you also stay the course.
I also think really being able to pin down your goals and asking yourself the challenging questions: is what I am doing right now bringing me closer to my goal? If not, what can I do to bring me closer?
I really need to take a moment and say thank you to Barry Goldblatt and WNDB for granting me this opportunity. My advice in this would be put yourself out there and apply for things and then apply for grant or scholarship opportunities. There are amazing and kind generous people who want to see you succeed!
More about medina:
medina (they/them/their) is a Honduran nonbinary trans adoptee with Cerebral Palsy who lives in Brooklyn. Their words have appeared in: them, Into, Yes Poetry, Hello Giggles and The Establishment. They are a first year MFA candidate in Writing for Children at The New School. As a New School Impact Entrepreneur Graduate Fellow, their venture is to create a platform for LGBTQIA+ Youth of Color (@inQluded). Twitter: @medinawrites