Mentor
In my journey to be a legit writer, I have been to conferences and workshops and taken loads of classes. Only one really made a lasting impression. I was taking my first stab at trying to actually get published and I enrolled myself in a class called Write. Submit. Support. The teacher was an published and talented author /illustrator, Jessixa Bagley. We were quite a cast of characters but the other women were, in fact, writers. One, a science writer that was highly respected in her field. She also had a handful of pet rats that she would perch on her shoulder during the zoom class. Another a published and lauded graphic novelist. Another, a published writer that had a laser focus and the most intense work ethic of anyone I have ever met. I remember thinking, If I was an agent, I would sign this woman immediately. She had no fear and no sentimentality with what she wrote, to her it was a science and a business. All of my classmates were talented and driven. Working to balance children, husbands and jobs and all while attempting to leave something beautiful in their wake. I was a total novice, having just begun jotting down ideas, and fleshing out stories. Jessixa was our mother hen. She asked all the right questions. She opened up and in turn we opened up as well. She helped us to see that being vulnerable in our work was what made our stories shine. She pushed me to pour my beating heart into all that I wrote. She helped craft my agent letters and celebrated with me when I landed one.
We walked away after the class, but Jessixa never let go of us. Her star is on the rise and she is running constantly. Book fairs, tours, family commitments. But if I need to cry on her shoulder or have a stupid publishing question, I message her and she always answers. She is my intercessory prayer. Saint Jessixa of the Publishing World. I try not to bother her too often. But if something is really pressing on me, if I need to just have someone out there in the Book Stratosphere hear me, I know that she is listening.
Whenever I am stymied by trying to stay on this path, I think of this class, of these writers. I know they have the same moments and they keep writing. In the end, I am so glad to have been able to share space with them. Even if it’s just to watch their stars shine.
If you want to buy any of their incredible books, you should! You can find their incredible work via these links:
https://www.michellehowellmiller.com/about
https://www.clairewrennbobrow.com/
https://www.annekeswanson.com/
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