By WB Intern Megan Aune Writing in one place can be taxing! Sometimes changing our environment can spark new ideas, encourage inspiration or give us the added motivation of working around others. If you (and your creativity) are currently craving a change of scene, then keep on reading! We’ve compiled a list of our top picks for writing spaces, here in Austin, that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.  Austin Public Library Sometimes, the most perfect spaces are hiding in plain sight! Whether you want to be surrounded by books, enjoy the rooftop garden, or just find a free comfy ..read more

We are absolutely thrilled for Hema Penmetsa, a CTCer, Writing Barn student, and Bethany mentee, who is celebrating signing with Elizabeth Rudnick from Gillian Mackenzie Agency and selling her book to Abrams Kids Books! Hema’s first picture book is set to be published in fall of 2026. Hear what she had to say about her journey. How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal? I have been writing—in various genres and across age groups—for just over a decade. I was agented previously but parted ways with them due to differences in vision for my work. This time around, I queried ..read more

We are absolutely thrilled for CTCer and Writing Barn student Christina Paschyn who is celebrating signing with Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch! Christina is a picture book and YA author who also creates award-winning documentaries. Hear what she had to say about her journey. How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal? From 2017 to 2024, I took numerous writing classes, including four rounds of the Writing Barn’s WSS program. I started querying my PB manuscripts in 202 What fears/hopes did you have before working with Bethany privately or taking a Writing Barn class? That ..read more

By WB Intern Megan Aune The practice of honing your craft doesn’t always have to take place in front of a blank white screen. Sometimes, it’s okay to step back from the keyboard and take a break! We’ve gathered a handful of our favorite podcasts that talk about writing–from discussion of craft, to advice on getting published, to fun anecdotes about staying motivated and getting your creative juices flowing. Though they’re not all still publishing new episodes, there are troves of archives for the curious writer to sift through. Pop in your earbuds and enjoy! The Manuscript Academy Hosted by ..read more

Celebrate Pride month with some queer stories! The month of June marks a celebration of LGBTQ+ voices, culture, and communities. For those looking for queer writers to support this Pride month, we’ve compiled a list to get you started with books that reflect the diverse imaginations and identities of the writers who created them.  Queer and Fearless by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Harry Woodgate Kicking it off with one of our kidlit favs, Queer and Fearless is a collection that merges poetry and biographies, and it’s the perfect way to familiarize your kids (and yourself!) with the imp ..read more

Agent Ameerah Holiday Ameerah Holliday (She/Her) is a dancer and self-proclaimed poetess from San Diego, California. She  received her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from San Diego State University and currently serves as  an associate agent for Serendipity Literary Agency. In addition, she is also the editorial director for the San  Diego Poetry Annual and editor for Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual.   What she’s looking for:   Ameerah looks for writing that explores diverse experiences with elements of intersectionality. She is drawn to  stories that tak ..read more

Bank Street College of Education has released their 2024 edition of The Best Children’s Books of the Year (2023), and we saw a lot of familiar names on the list! For those who don’t know, Bank Street’s Children’s Book Committee selected the best of the best books published in 2023. They looked into aspects such as a book’s potential emotional impact, authenticity, plot and characterization, and more. Every book on the list (600 total) is reviewed by two committee members, then discussed by the entire committee as a whole! Upon reading, we saw that the list had many WB instructors, students an ..read more

We are absolutely thrilled for Writing Barn success story Johanna Peyton who is celebrating signing with her dream agent, Taylor Martindale Kean, at Full Circle Literary! How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal? Writing and publishing a children’s book has always been a dream of mine and although I have been writing my whole life, I didn’t start pursuing this path in earnest until 2020. So, I have been on this path now for four years. What fears/hopes did you have before participating in WSS or a WB class/intensive? There have been fears and hopes at every step of this ..read more

The celebration continues! National Poetry month is in full swing, and we wanted to share these adult poetry books written by or featuring Writing Barn authors. Be sure to check these out and support! Wild: An Anthology of Poetry Wild: An Anthology of Poetry (Hey Hey Books, LLC, 2023) contains poems by Writing Barn instructor and staff member Susan Johnston Taylor and Writing Barn regulars Joyce Uglow and Kathy Halsey.  “From owls and bears to mushrooms and oak trees to wolves and waterfalls, Wild will bring to you a diverse array of styles, subjects, and poets. Complete ..read more

We are absolutely thrilled for Writing Barn success story Jessica Milo who is celebrating signing with her dream agent, Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates! How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal? I began my writing career in 2021 and have been passionately pursuing it ever since. In fall 2022 I signed with my first agent, and we went out on submission with one picture book, but ultimately didn’t get to acquisitions. But my first agent helped grow my confidence and my writing craft and helped me be in this position to now work with Wendi. I’m so excited to ..read more