Success Story Spotlight with Sarah Glenn Fortson

Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, award grant, publication, etc)

Mara Conlon of Peter Pauper Press has purchased my story, This Cowgirl Ain’t Kiddin’ About the Potty. Russ Cox is our illustrator!

How did studying/retreating at The Writing Barn support you in achieving this goal? What workshop/intensives/or classes have you taken with us?

I have attended two Picture Book Intensives. At the first Intensive, Mara Conlon was in the audience when I read the cowgirl story. At the time I didn’t know she was interested. But The Writing Barn is a magical place. A few months ago, while attending my second Picture Book Intensive, I received an email from her with a contract for my debut picture book!

How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal?

I’ve focused on picture book writing for eight years. In the past, I have been represented, but I did not have an agent for this deal. Working with Mara has been a breath of fresh air! I enjoyed dealing directly with her.

What fears/hopes did you have before attending the WB class, intensive/or working with Bethany privately?

After submitting a picture book biography for critique before the first Intensive, I decided my goal was to “be present.” Whatever happens, happens. I arrived in a state of calmness…Until…I learned attendees were reading at the podium on Saturday night. I chose something short and sweet that had been on my backburner for years. I was jittery. But turns out Texans really like potty stories, especially if they include cowgirls and rodeos! It’s tough to stay nervous when your audience is laughing.

How did the atmosphere of The Writing Barn aid you in achieving this goal?

I’ll repeat what I posted on Facebook: At The Writing Barn it’s like meeting up with long lost relatives and discovering that your lives have taken the same literary path. You feel valued and supported.

Have you made friendships/colleagues as well? How has that supported you?

Absolutely, I found friends, colleagues, and critique partners at The Barn. I went through some rough times with an agent and the support from these people carried me through.

Why do you think attending workshops/classes is important to writers at all stages of their career?

We need to stay current, network, and grow in our craft.

What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build and develop your career?

I often spin my wheels plotting out my life, but in reality many things are out of my control. I want to remember to notice the unplanned opportunities.

Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?

Keep writing what you’re excited about and you won’t quit. After a rejection, you might take a day off, but if you’re a true creative, you won’t stop. It’s what makes you, you.

More about Sarah Glenn Fortson:

Sarah officially became a writer in high school when Sister Mary Angeline pulled her aside, shook her finger in her face and said, “Sarah Glenn Fortson, if you don’t do something with your writing it will be a sin.” To avoid a life of sin, she chose journalism as her undergraduate major. Since then, she’s earned two degrees in education, taught, consulted, coordinated, administered and continued to write. She’s a dual resident of Chicago/Atlanta. In addition to writing, she hikes, paints, reads, hangs out with her grandson and attends Writing Barn classes as often as possible.