ALUMNI NEWS

We’re always pleased to share alumni successes. Here are some inspiring examples:

• In late 2017, New York enrollee ELIZABETH LIM sold The Blood of Stars to our faculty editor, Katherine Harrison at Knopf, who had workshopped the full manuscript three months earlier. Per the two-book deal, Lim’s debut YA fantasy novel will be released in spring 2019; the sequel will follow. Elizabeth says, “Many thanks to the entire workshop community for being so supportive, and for the amazing friends I made. I’m grateful to Director Nancy Sondel, and my adult and teen critiquers, for helping make my dream come true!”
• In early 2016, CHRISTIAN YEE signed with our 2015 workshop agent, Stephen Barr of Writers House. The debut YA novel, The Girl Who Was Iron and Gold, is a contemporary, multicultural, adventure-comedy. Then in spring 2016, Abrams BFYR editors Susan Van Metre (our former workshop faculty) and Anne Heltzel won a six-publisher auction for world English rights to the novel. Wow! Publication dates: 2017 and 2018.
  
  Christian notes, “This workshop’s format helped me put my best foot forward in front of industry professionals. Their whole-novel feedback let me gauge my direction more accurately than at any other workshop I’ve attended.” He also praises his teen critiquers: “It would have been extremely difficult to get that unbiased feedback anywhere else.”
• In 2016, TRACY CLARK’s third book in her Light Key Trilogy, Illuminate, was published by Entangled Teen. She also sold a YA thriller to Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt. “My participation in this workshop was one of the best things I did for myself as a writer,” Tracy says. “The whole-novel critique definitely helped me up my game! I’d recommend this event for anyone looking to hone their craft.” tracyclark.org
• In 2014, SHERYL SCARBOROUGH sold her debut YA mystery-forensic series, a two-book deal, to Macmillan’s TorTeen imprint (published 2016). “This workshop will have a lasting effect on many,” Sheryl said before selling her book. Congratulations! sherylscarborough.blogspot.com
• In 2014, ANN JACOBUS’ debut YA novel, Romancing the Dark, was sold to Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press (published in 2015). At our 2013 seminar, the entire manuscript was written-critiqued by two articulate teens in our concurrent teen workshop. They also met with the author for a lively discussion, and are named in the book’s acknowledgements. annjacobus.com
• In 2014, KATHLEEN DOUGHERTY signed with faculty agent Fiona Kenshole (Transatlantic Agency), who had critiqued Kathleen’s full novel, The Reluctant Stone Seeker, at our 2013 workshop—an event which, Kat says, “provided a depth that was essential to my growth as a writer.” Congratulations!
• In 2013, ANNEMARIE O’BRIEN’s debut novel, Lara’s Gift, was published by Knopf. In early 2014, Scholastic bought the subsidiary rights to publish and promote Lara’s Gift in its book club and school fair programs. Annemarie met her “dream editor” at our workshop. She says: “The excellent PCCWW faculty and peer feedback have helped me improve my manuscripts for the nine years I’ve attended.” annemarieobrienauthor.com
• In 2012, TRACY HOLCZER sold her novel, The Secret Hum of a Daisy, to G.P. Putnam’s Sons; published in 2014. Tracy notes: “This seminar played a huge role in my success. My manuscript improved largely due to the professional and peer critiques at PCCWW.” tracyholczer.com
• In 2012, CLAUDIA HARRINGTON signed with our agent, Emily Sylvan Kim (Prospect Agency). At the workshop, Emily had critiqued Claudia’s full novel-in-verse. Subsequently, Emily sold Claudia’s six-picture-book series, My Family, to ABDO Publishing Company; published in 2015. Claudia says, “This workshop brought me together with my fabulous agent, whom I otherwise would not likely have met. Thank you!” claudiaharrington.blogspot.com
• In 2009, BOBBIE PYRON’s debut novel, The Ring, was published by WestSide Books. Bobbie says: “The positive feedback and helpful advice I got at PCCWW led to this book finding its perfect home.” Her second novel, A Dog’s Way Home, was published by Katherine Tegen Books, a HarperCollins imprint. Her third novel, The Dogs of Winter, was published in 2012 from Scholastic. All three novels were workshopped at our PCCWW events. bobbiepyron.com
• Following the 2009 PCCWW, several alumni were accepted into Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults—including MANDY ROBBINS TAYLOR and SHERYL SCARBOROUGH. Mandy is “excited to have this opportunity. I am so thankful to workshop faculty and attendees, and my TeenSpeak critiquer Carrie, for all of their awesome feedback.”
• In 2009, MARY CRONK FARRELL signed with an agent. Her historical fiction manuscript, titled Ellie Paints the Sky, was critiqued at our 2006 workshop. marycronkfarrell.net
• In 2007, HEATHER TOMLINSON’S debut novel, The Swan Maiden, was published by Henry Holt, Inc. and received a Booklist starred review. Heather signed contracts with our 2005 workshop editor and agent, and announced: “I’m thrilled to pieces. Many thanks to PCCWW for providing the fantastic opportunity to meet with them both!”  heathertomlinson.com
• In 2006, JONI SENSEL signed with our PCCWW agent Jennifer Rofe (Andrea Brown Literary Agency), who sold her novel, The Farwalker’s Quest, to Bloomsbury Children’s Books. In 2010, Joni’s fourth novel was published. Joni says, “Attending this workshop allowed me to meet a dynamic agent whom I would not have otherwise considered for my work. I’m really glad I participated!” jonisensel.com (See her great writing tips.)

Heather and Joni are two of 38 writers who helped launch The Class of 2k7—a collaborative for authors with debuts published in 2007. This Class has spawned others in subsequent years.

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