Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc.)!
I have two books coming out in 2025. Crack Goes the Cascarón illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza and published by KNOPF will be out on February 18, and my picture book biography, Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa, illustrated by Caldecott honoree, Juana Martinez-Neal and published by Roaring Brook Press, will be out on March 18.
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal and how has the Courage to Create program/tools served you in reaching this milestone?
I’ve been writing seriously since 2017 and spent three years cultivating my craft before querying or going out on submission. I didn’t want to send manuscripts before they were ready and was very intentional in building my skillset by taking courses and looking for opportunities to help deepen my craft.
Two of the things that shaped my path to publication were participating in a PB Chat mentorship where I worked with author Hannah Holt and connecting with the Writing Barn.
Taking a course with Rob Sanders on how to write a picture book biographies was an absolute game-changer. His teachings helped me to really look at writing in new ways and be more strategic in how I approach a story. It was while taking that course that I first wrote Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa, about Alberto, an intrepid Peruvian plant collector on a mission to safeguard potato crop biodiversity for future generations. That breakthrough manuscript coupled with my mentorship made me realize I was getting closer to my goal of publication. Still, I wasn’t quite ready to begin querying so I joined Write Submit Support (WSS) with Hannah Barnaby to become more disciplined and began setting tangible goals for when I’d go out. By the end of my mentorship and WSS I landed my agent and was out on submission two months later. Paka Paka was the first book that we sold.
When we reach a milestone, it means we may encounter new fears and challenges, as well as joys along the journey. How has being a part of the CTC community prepared you for both enjoying the celebration of a milestone reached and the work that is next to come?
I think celebration and enjoying my path is innate to who I am. Growing up Peruvian-American and seeing so little representation of the diversity within the Latine community is my driving force, so every goal met feels like a communal one. And when I see other underrepresented voices succeed I also feel like it’s a win for all children, all writers, all illustrators.
That is perhaps why I enjoy the Courage to Create community so much, because it embodies what is natural to me, uplifting one another by recognizing that we are on the same journey, and that each milestone met is a cause for us all to celebrate.
In the Courage to Create, we call on our Big Why as we engage in the ups and downs of the literary life? What’s your BIG WHY and how does it keep you motivated to keep working towards new milestones?
My big why is representation. I know firsthand how painful it can be to not see yourself in a book, a movie, or a cartoon, I grew up without books that showcased my full humanity. Working to reverse that now fading truth is my driving force.
It’s not easy to keep creating courage when it comes to our literary lives. Did you ever encounter a low point or period and did you lean on any of the CTC tools or practices? What did the no/not yets, or near misses/champagne rejections teach you in hindsight not that your YES is here?
I’m pretty resilient. I trust in the process and my ability to meditate on the weak points in my manuscripts and focus on developing them. I have dry spells, like anyone, but I know that through hard work, tenacious revisions that incorporate the insights provided by critique partners, my magical agent Nicole Geiger, and my editors I will meet my goals. Sometimes it takes months, sometimes years, but I’m too stubborn to not accomplish them.
But resilience is not developed in a vacuum, it’s developed in community. And that is what I appreciate most about CTC, this sense that we’re all in this together, that the rejections aren’t personal, and that you have a legion of like-minded creators championing you on. Every time I see another success story it motivates me even more. I know it’s possible. That my dreams are possible. But it also makes me aware of the long process it takes to get there, that it’s not overnight, it’s putting in the hard work.
As we celebrate your milestone reached, what thoughts can you share with other writers who may doubt they will reach their first or next milestone?
Your voice is singular. Trust in yourself to bring stories only you can bring to the page. There is a child out there who needs your story. Write for that child. Write for the child that you were who needed this story. Trust that you are meant to be doing this work. All else will fall into place as long as you do the work. And as we always say in Courage to Create, it takes the time it takes.
What is your favorite Courage to Create Belief?
We BELIEVE our books and careers into BEING.
Sara A. Fajardo is a Peruvian-American writer whose dad constantly reminded her that potatoes are from the Andes. So, she jumped at the chance to work as a consultant for the International Potato Center. Over the years she’s learned which potatoes help paint your lips the perfect shade of red, how to cure a sour stomach with potato, and how much we owe the farmers and plant scientists who care for our potatoes. She’s never met a potato she doesn’t love and wants the world to know that a sweetpotato and potatoes are not related. So please don’t tell her your favorite potato is a sweet potato. She is co-founder of LatinxPitch and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two children.
Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc.)!
I’m now represented by Ashley Reisinger of Triada US!
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal and how has the Courage to Create program/tools served you in reaching this milestone?
I’ve been writing my whole life, but I’ve been querying agents since 2019. Courage to Create gave me access to monthly agent/editor insight webinars and submission opportunities, which kept me focused and motivated. Even though I found my agent outside of a CtC submission opportunity, I was able to hone my pitches and stories through the process of submitting to CtC agents and editors.
When we reach a milestone, it means we may encounter new fears and challenges, as well as joys along the journey. How has being a part of the CTC community prepared you for both enjoying the celebration of a milestone reached and the work that is next to come?
I am always growing and learning from the CtC community. It is so comforting knowing that if I have a question on the business side of publishing or about a story I’m working on, I have that community I can lean on and the invaluable webinars to learn from.
In the Courage to Create, we call on our Big Why as we engage in the ups and downs of the literary life? What’s your BIG WHY and how does it keep you motivated to keep working towards new milestones?
I write because I want to make kids laugh, validate their experiences and emotions, and build their self-confidence. I write because I want to create the magic, adventure, and comfort that stories provided me growing up, and still do. I write because it makes feel creatively fulfilled and heard. My Big Why keeps me motivated because it reminds me that my stories can make other people feel seen, too. My stories can help them and take on a new, personal meaning for each reader.
It’s not easy to keep creating courage when it comes to our literary lives. Did you ever encounter a low point or period and did you lean on any of the CTC tools or practices? What did the no/not yets, or near misses/champagne rejections teach you in hindsight not that your YES is here?
I was at a creative low point when I first signed up for Courage to Create in December 2023. I’d been querying agents for 5 years, with many close calls and heartbreaking passes, and I was losing hope.
I had heard great things about CtC from fellow writers. On the CtC website, it said to join if “you want intimate industry connections instead of the crush of conferences and the frenzy of online pitch events” and “you are willing to work with your creative resistances, answering questions to deepen your work and sharpen your passion and purpose.” That was exactly what I needed.
Courage to Create gave me the creative recharge and structure I needed to keep persevering. Not only did CtC give me access to more agent/editor submission opportunities, but it helped me remember why I loved to write in the first place.
In August 2024, the hard work paid off. I had The Call and signed with my agent, Ashley Reisinger of Triada US!
The nos, near misses, and champagne rejections taught me in hindsight that it’s so important to have an agent who truly champions and believes in your work. Ashley and I had the same editorial vision for the work I sent her, and she was so enthusiastic and encouraging. I’m so grateful for her support and expertise!
As we celebrate your milestone reached, what thoughts can you share with other writers who may doubt they will reach their first or next milestone?
There’s so much out of our control in this industry. Try to focus on what you can control, such as working on new stories, meeting with your critique group, and making new connections (and friendships!). Publishing is a marathon and has its twists and turns. Try to enjoy the journey (always easier said than done!).
What is your favorite Courage to Create Belief?
Shame and silence are creativity killers. We process the passes, and reject rejection, knowing nos will come ON THE WAY to our YESes!
Alison Marcotte is a Chicago-based children’s book author. Her debut picture book SEEKING BEST FRIEND, illustrated by Diane Ewen and published by Beaming Books, came out in 2022. She was one of the winners of Vivian Kirkfield’s 2024 #50PreciousWords contest. Alison is a member of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, Courage to Create, SCBWI, Author’s Guild, and Chicago Writers Association, and a freelance writer for American Library Association’s American Libraries magazine.
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal and how has the Courage to Create program/tools served you in reaching this milestone?
I began my creative writing journey in 2017, first focusing on drafting YA novels and then pivoting to picture books in 2019. I began querying my picture books in earnest in 2022.
I have taken numerous creative writing courses through various organizations, but I have to say the Writing Barn has been the most helpful and influential for me in terms of picture book drafting and revising. In addition to the great one-off seminars and replays, I took four rounds of the Writing Barn’s WSS program and learned so much in each one. My instructors were Lisa Katzenberger, Andrea J. Loney, Ann Marie Stephens, and Hannah Barnaby. All were phenomenal and helped me take my craft to a new level. I grew particularly close with Lisa and Ann Marie, whom I consider dear friends and mentors. They continued to help me with my revisions after the program finished, and I owe them both so much. Both really championed my favorite manuscript – the one that caught my agent’s attention. They helped me perfect it, and I would not be starting this new phase in my writing career without their invaluable insights, critiques, and encouragement.
Through the WSS program, I also met my critique partners, Mary Rudzinski and Jennifer Phillips. They, too, have given me indispensable feedback and support, and we are all now achieving amazing agent/publishing/award milestones together. All of this is thanks in big part to the Writing Barn and CTC!
When we reach a milestone, it means we may encounter new fears and challenges, as well as joys along the journey. How has being a part of the CTC community prepared you for both enjoying the celebration of a milestone reached and the work that is next to come?
The CTC community, particularly the online app, provided a truly supportive community. Reading about other members’ wins, but also equally importantly (if not more so) their disappointments (such as query rejections), was eye-opening and valuable. It certainly made me feel less alone. After all, it’s easy to fall into the belief that querying is futile and that your stories aren’t good enough and will never be picked up. Imposter syndrome and defeatism hit hard. But to realize that other authors are feeling the same way as me, that they have been querying for as long or longer, and then seeing their dreams come true is beyond inspirational. Perseverance and hard work are truly what it takes to succeed in this industry. I am fully aware that securing an agent is just one step. I know that more rejections will come my way when my manuscripts go on submission. But as before, I will lean on CTC for support and persevere until my stories are on bookshelves!
In the Courage to Create, we call on our Big Why as we engage in the ups and downs of the literary life? What’s your BIG WHY and how does it keep you motivated to keep working towards new milestones?
My Big Why is the belief that my stories deserve to be told. We all have our own unique perspectives, histories, and insights to share with the world. In my case, I am passionate about my Ukrainian heritage. My goal is to help broaden children’s understanding and horizons, educating and entertaining them. This keeps me moving forward.
It’s not easy to keep creating courage when it comes to our literary lives. Did you ever encounter a low point or period and did you lean on any of the CTC tools or practices? What did the no/not yets, or near misses/champagne rejections teach you in hindsight not that your YES is here?
I did receive several rejections that were critical or somewhat harsh and insensitive in tone. I knew this was part and parcel of the querying journey, but it still stung to receive them and sometimes even sent me into a defeatist spiral. But my CTC mentors, teachers, and critique partners were always there to lift my spirits and put things back into perspective.
In terms of my agent, she loved my main manuscript but wasn’t quite into the other work I had submitted to her. But she offered me a second chance to impress her, which certainly motivated me to keep writing, revising, taking more classes, and trying. I can candidly say it all worked out in the end—she is my dream agent! It really goes to show how much this is all down to the work we writers put in. I’m also happy to report that my manuscripts are now being shortlisted for awards (another thing I thought would never happen). Again, I cannot stress enough how helpful the Writing Barn’s classes have been for me!
As we celebrate your milestone reached, what thoughts can you share with other writers who may doubt they will reach their first or next milestone?
One message I kept hearing over and over is that so many writers give up too easily. That, if they just stuck it out a bit longer in the query trenches, their yes would come. I wanted to believe that, but it was still hard to stop thinking it would never happen. But in the end, it took several years of classes and two years of querying for me to get to this point. Before landing my agent, when people would ask how long I had been querying or how many queries I had sent (more than 100 total for my various manuscripts), I was ashamed to say. I thought it was already taking me way too long and that people would judge–especially potential agents! But since I’ve gotten my yes, I’ve received messages that, for many writers, getting an agent after two years is quite “fast.” So the only thing I can advise is don’t give up. Querying takes a long, long time. Tailoring all those letters is tedious and time-consuming. But if you truly believe in your stories, it’s worth it, and it will happen!
What is your favorite Courage to Create Belief?
Shame and silence are creativity killers. We process the passes, and reject rejection, knowing nos will come ON THE WAY to our YESes!
Christina Paschyn is a picture book and YA author of Ukrainian descent. She is also a documentary filmmaker and journalism professor.
Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc.)!
In April, I received offers for representation from three different literary agents. I am now represented by Sara Crowe Literary.
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal and how has the Courage to Create program/tools served you in reaching this milestone?
I’ve been writing children’s picture books for about 3 years now. The Courage to Create events in particular have helped me feel more connected to and less intimidated by the publishing industry. These events have also helped me to continue to hone my craft, and in general, have given me confidence and hope. The Verge, and especially the Deep Reads and Spotlight Salons therein, have helped me take my writing to the next level. It was because of a Spotlight Salon that I was invited to submit to Sara Crowe Literary, as she was closed to submissions.
When we reach a milestone, it means we may encounter new fears and challenges, as well as joys along the journey. How has being a part of the CTC community prepared you for both enjoying the celebration of a milestone reached and the work that is next to come?
I love that I have the ability to ask questions in the CTC feed, and I always get quick answers from people who are either in the same place–or further along in their writing journey, and who have been where I am. The Verge event, “The Call,” was instrumental in preparing me for my calls with agents. And it came at exactly the right time. Bethany was also a godsend, patiently answering questions, giving me great advice, calming me down, and cheering for me all the way.
In the Courage to Create, we call on our Big Why as we engage in the ups and downs of the literary life? What’s your BIG WHY and how does it keep you motivated to keep working towards new milestones?
I write stories for the overlooked. My Big Why keeps me motivated to keep working towards new milestones because I believe it matters to bring historically excluded stories into the light.
It’s not easy to keep creating courage when it comes to our literary lives. Did you ever encounter a low point or period and did you lean on any of the CTC tools or practices? What did the no/not yets, or near misses/champagne rejections teach you in hindsight not that your YES is here?
My PBs always took longer than I thought they would to write. My lowest points came at hearing that after months and months of work, some of my manuscripts still weren’t ready to query–or even worse, when I needed to re-envision them completely. I leaned hard on the belief, “It takes as long as it takes,” during these times. It was also helpful to hear other authors’ journeys during our CTC events because it made me realize that this is a test of perseverance even more-so than a test of talent. When I received rejections, and especially champagne rejections, I learned to read the feedback, take some time and space away from it, and then come back to it to look for nuggets that may be worth considering.
As we celebrate your milestone reached, what thoughts can you share with other writers who may doubt they will reach their first or next milestone?
I’m a big believer in finding the stories that only YOU can tell. When you do that, your heart is already inside your story, and that connection can help you find motivation, patience, and perseverance in low moments.
What is your favorite Courage to Create Belief?
CREATIVITY is not a competition.
I write stories for the overlooked, and have been fortunate enough to have my work appear on “CBS Sunday Morning,” CNN, NPR, Canada AM, and more. My wife and I live on a donkey farm in the mountains of Virginia. I have a PhD in education and have been a teacher for 24 years.
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal and how has the Courage to Create program/tools served you in reaching this milestone?
While I have written my whole life and always dreamed of publishing a picture book, I didn’t begin pursuing this in earnest until 2020, about four years ago.
I joined CTC in 2021 and it has been an invaluable tool in helping me connect with the publishing industry. The monthly Ask an Agent, Editor Insights, and Behind the Book sessions, are all super informative on their own but also come with exclusive submission opportunities. These opportunities helped hold me accountable to get my work ready and out there. Plus, this community of other supportive writers has been motivating and inspiring.
When we reach a milestone, it means we may encounter new fears and challenges, as well as joys along the journey. How has being a part of the CTC community prepared you for both enjoying the celebration of a milestone reached and the work that is next to come?
Early on in this process, getting an agent felt like the end accomplishment. Even before it happened, CTC helped me more accurately reframe this milestone as really just the beginning. In some ways, reaching this milestone and getting an agent, changes everything (having an industry partner, being able so submit to editors, hopefully actually getting a book published)… but in a lot of more important ways, nothing changes (still lots of solo writing and revising, lots of rejection, my big why and the heart of the work). Through webinars with other authors, CTC gave me a sense of this transition, so that when it was my turn, I knew what to expect.
In the Courage to Create, we call on our Big Why as we engage in the ups and downs of the literary life? What’s your BIG WHY and how does it keep you motivated to keep working towards new milestones?
My big why is to write books that create tangible shared moments of connection in a world that can often feel too big, too detached, and too overwhelming. I write with the hope of inspiring creativity and wonder so that readers (young and old) realize their own resiliency.
I strongly believe in the power and magic of books. I also believe that my manuscripts have something unique to say to children and that is what keeps me working towards new milestones.
It’s not easy to keep creating courage when it comes to our literary lives. Did you ever encounter a low point or period and did you lean on any of the CTC tools or practices? What did the no/not yets, or near misses/champagne rejections teach you in hindsight not that your YES is here?
The lowest part of my writing life was in the fall of 2022 when I had a call with an agent that didn’t turn into an offer of representation. I was devastated and embarrassed and sad. I was really hard on myself because I thought I missed “my one chance.”
But, thankfully, life doesn’t just give you one chance to realize your dreams.
Life doesn’t operate on a model of scarcity. I wasn’t brave enough to say it out loud to anyone but my husband, but even at my lowest, I knew in my heart that my yes was still out there.
This “missed opportunity” gave me so much fuel to grow, dig deeper, and learn. Then the next time I had an agent call I was so much more prepared, more sure of myself and what I had to offer, and more clear of what I wanted and deserved. In hindsight, that “no” was a blessing in disguise and helped prepare me for my current YES!
As we celebrate your milestone reached, what thoughts can you share with other writers who may doubt they will reach their first or next milestone?
Anytime I feel especially discouraged, I do a heart check, and think about the ending line of Mary Oliver’s poem “The Summer Day” – “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Every time, my answer is always THIS. I sincerely enjoy all the time and energy I spend in this bookish world, reading, writing, and dreaming. There is simply no other place I would rather be than growing as a writer and pursuing publication. I tell myself that as long as this is the case, I will stay the course, but if it ever changes, I will pivot with no shame. For me, these heart checks keep this process an active choice – I am choosing this. This also helps put disappointments into perspective – the joy and fulfillment I feel while creating is worth the ups and downs. I am also choosing the disappointments when they come because it is part of the process.
So… How do YOU want to spend your one wild and precious life? If writing and pursing a literary career is your answer too… then you’re stuck. You just have to keep going. Lucky you.
What is your favorite Courage to Create Belief?
The only STAMP OF APPROVAL we need is our own.
Johanna Peyton is a neurodivergent writer represented by agent Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary. She holds a BBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management and an MPH in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science. In 2021, she was an award finalist for Austin SCBWI’s Cynthia Leitch Smith Writing Mentor Award and in 2022 she won an Honorable Mention in the 2022 PBParty and was selected as a mentee to the RUCCL writing conference. She spent 2023 in a writing mentorship with author Bethany Hegedus. Johanna is a member of SCBWI, 12×12, and The Writing Barn’s Verge and Courage to Create communities. In her free time, she shares her writing journey and the books that inspire her on Instagram @JohannaPeytonAuthor.
Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc.)!
After querying 32 top literary agents this year, I got an offer of representation from Amy Stern at Sheldon Fogelman Agency. (I’ve had two previous agents.)
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal and how has the Courage to Create program/tools served you in reaching this milestone?
CtC keeps me focused on writing and submitting. I’ve been writing since 2000 when my letter to the editor of TIME Magazine got published. I was still teaching when I started writing. I wrote for the three Highlights Magazines for years before attempting to write picture books.
When we reach a milestone, it means we may encounter new fears and challenges, as well as joys along the journey. How has being a part of the CTC community prepared you for both enjoying the celebration of a milestone reached and the work that is next to come?
CtC keeps me focused on continuing to learn and gives me the opportunity to submit. Being a member of CtC keeps me energized…I never take my eyes off the goal. I’m self-motivated and have developed thick skin. I could wallpaper a shopping mall with all the editors’ rejections I’ve received through the years…I just counted 366! (This number includes agented submissions and my own.)
In the Courage to Create, we call on our Big Why as we engage in the ups and downs of the literary life? What’s your BIG WHY and how does it keep you motivated to keep working towards new milestones?
I write because I love children’s literature. I wanted to entertain kids and be part of the community of picture book authors. I love playing with words. I enjoy reading my picture books to kids in classrooms, bookstores, and libraries. As a reading specialist, I want to get kids hooked on books.
It’s not easy to keep creating courage when it comes to our literary lives. Did you ever encounter a low point or period and did you lean on any of the CTC tools or practices? What did the no/not yets, or near misses/champagne rejections teach you in hindsight not that your YES is here?
I was making gains in my writing career when I joined CtC. I had already sold four books…only one of those books with an agent. CtC keeps me focused on honing my craft and submitting. I learned the near misses are stepping stones to something bigger and better. Good thing some of the manuscripts I submitted never sold…I realize now, they weren’t ready. I had to learn how to use more creative language and up the stakes in my stories.
As we celebrate your milestone reached, what thoughts can you share with other writers who may doubt they will reach their first or next milestone?
Early on in my career, I started to believe I’d never sell a book. It was taking years and years. But I kept going like The Little Engine That Could. I think perseverance is more important than talent. I’m proof of that.
What is your favorite Courage to Create Belief?
Focus on the GOALS. Milestones happen on their own.
I enjoy bringing kids and quality literature together. I’m a Reading Specialist and an Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction. My love of learning has led me to graduate from four different universities. Nothing scares me. I’ve taught elementary school for over 30 years. A student once told me I’d make a great vampire because I’m tall and my teeth are sharp! My work has appeared in TIME Magazine, The Mailbox, Spider Magazine, Highlights Hello, Highlights High Five, and Highlights for Children. I’ve won the Highlights Pewter Plate Award, the Highlights Celebrat National Poetry Contest, and a letter of merit from SCBWI’s Magazine Merit Competition. My first picture book–DON’T FEED THE BEAR–is featured on Kirkus Reviews’ recommended list and is in its seventh printing. My second picture book–THE THINGITY-JIG–received STARRED REVIEWS from Kirkus Reviews and Foreword…is a CCBC Choice…and has been published in nine languages. My third book–The Twist-a-Roo–was released in November 2023 and is on Kirkus Reviews’ recommended list. I donate my author earnings to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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