Ramya G. Spaulding: Signing with an Agent

Ramya G. Spaulding: Signing with an Agent

by | Jun 7, 2023 | blog, Courage to Create, Milestones Met

A Milestones Met Interview

Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc.)!

I signed with a new agent, Elisa Houot of The Seymour Agency.

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 started checking into writing and illustrating seriously towards the end of 2018. I signed up for SCBWI, 12×12, Storyteller Academy, SVSLearn, and any and all classes that I could afford to join and learn from. My critique partners encouraged me to join a Writing Barn class, and I did. I took Writing with Authenticity with Jessixa Bagley in 2021 where one of my best stories was hatched. I also was a finalist in PBParty 2021 for illustration which gave me extra confidence in my craft. I found my agent through a Twitter Pitch Perfect Live event.

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 to read when members post Monday Motivations, midweek struggles, and Friday Ta-Das. It gives you a glimpse into the life of an author both new and experienced, and everyone goes through the same issues but at a different stage of their career.

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?

After being left-brained for most of my career, I love the creative aspects of being an author-illustrator by using my right-brain. Creativity bring so much joy. Also, I would like to see more diversity and STEM in kidlit.

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 now that your YES is here?

I am relatively new to CTC. I just know from other authors posting in the CTC group that everyone is on their own journey. It is not a competition and not to compare your progress with others. Don’t let the negativity pull you down. I have encountered low points and doubts just like everyone else. I always turned to meditation and painting to lift myself up. Nos on the way to the yes, reiterated that I have to keep searching for that agent that loves my work as much as I do. That will be my dream agent. Until then, I had to keep myself occupied and keep learning the craft and keep improving.

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 am at the first stage of my career, so I take this with a grain of salt. If you are looking for your agent, don’t limit yourself to traditional ways of querying. I found my chance on Twitter during an event called Pitch Perfect Live. Just keep going! Don’t give up! Think of your aspirations to become published as your inner child. If you truly love your inner child, you won’t give up. That would be bad parenting. Look at that face! How could you give up? Use all your critique partners’ help. It takes a village to raise a child.

What is your favorite Courage to Create Belief?

“CREATIVITY is not a competition.”

Ramya Spaulding (R.G. Spaulding) is an Indian-American. She loves to draw and frequently got into trouble as a kid for daydreaming too much. Art was encouraged to be pursued only as a hobby and not as a primary profession growing up. When she quit her engineering job in 2017, she decided to establish her second career as an author/illustrator. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. She wants to see more interracial kids like hers represented in picture books. She also loves to include a hint of STEM into picture books. You can find out more by visiting https://rgspaulding.com/.

Debra Westgate-Silva: Signing with an Agent

Debra Westgate-Silva: Signing with an Agent

by | Jun 7, 2023 | blog, Courage to Create, Milestones Met

A Milestones Met Interview

Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc.)!

I’m thrilled to announce that I am now represented by Mary Cummings of Great River Literary, an agency devoted exclusively to representing authors of books for children and teens. Mary’s feedback helped me to polish and elevate my manuscript and made me confident in her expertise and approach.

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 have been writing, on and off, my entire life. A few years ago, I shifted priorities so I could focus on writing and trying to make this dream come true. I heard about The Writing Barn through a social media post and signed up for a class — first a one-day class, then a couple of six-week classes, and then Write. Submit. Support. (WSS) and the Courage to Create. Being part of a community that values writing and children’s literature as much as I do — the support, the learning opportunities, the community, the sharing, the connection — has been life-changing.

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?

For me, that’s what the CTC community is all about: celebrating accomplishments (and not just the milestones!), processing the obstacles, and recognizing that it’s all part of the journey. The sense of community and support helps me to push through doubts and to keep pursuing the dream.

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 have always believed that great children’s books can change lives. They can foster empathy and kindness, build bridges, and be a safe haven. It’s amazing and inspiring to think that a book’s message can continue to live with a reader long after childhood.

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 now that your YES is here?

There have definitely been low points! When doubt (or even despair) creeps in, it helps me to return to the BIG WHY and the CTC’s Core Beliefs.

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?

These are snippets I’ve heard from other writers in CTC (I wish I could give credit to each one) that I’ve taken to heart and return to again and again: It may take a hundred nos to get to the yes. The nos are really just “not yets.” The nos mean we’re in the game. And most importantly, in the words of Rob Sanders, “Not everything you write is meant to be published. But everything you write contributes to what you will publish.” So keep writing!

What is your favorite Courage to Create Belief?

“We BELIEVE our books and careers into BEING.”

Deb Westgate-Silva has worked in public education for many years and in child advocacy and welfare. She has been writing stories since before she could spell. Her work has been published in Highlights children’s magazine and in Teaching Tolerance. She loves reading, writing, cooking (and eating!), traveling, and above all else, spending time with family.

You’ll encounter many obstacles on the way to your yes, but you can take certain time-tested actions to stay inspired and resilient along the way.

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