A hearty thank you to the Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) and all you do for aspiring queer authors.
I’d never been the author of anything other than a quantitative research paper when I decided to take the leap and apply to the GCLS Writing Academy program.
Even if a publisher never takes my writing, I feel like I’ve accomplished so much in the past year. I’ve acquired confidence in my ability to write, understanding of what makes a story more than its bits and bobs, and a true sense of being part of the writing community.
And now the list.
Without these wonderful folks who dedicate their time to this fabulous program, I’d have accomplished nothing.
Instructors Anna Burke, Finnian Burnett, Karelia Stetz-Waters, and Penny Micklebury. Writing Academy manager Joy Van Stralen. Guest instructors Melissa Brayden, Sheree L. Greer, Radclyffe, RJ Samuel, and Shamim Sarif. Panel participants Emily August, Cheryl Head, Mercedes Lewis, and Gar McVey-Russell, as well as former Writing Academy graduates. My apologies if I’ve left anyone out.
A special thank you to my mentor during the class, Barbara Ann Wright. I will think of you every time I hear the words “more emotion.”
The Graduating Class of 2021
A giant shout-out to my fellow 2021 Writing Academy graduates. You helped me get through a pandemic and were willing to let me talk you into silly videos, online games, and a dance party. I look forward to reading the product of this course from each of you.
- Michele Brower
- Cara Cilento
- Luci Dreamer
- Nan Campbell
- Kate Gavin
- Lori G Matthews
- Sue Green
- McGee Mathews
- CJ O’Hara
- Charlotte Paige
- Rita Potter
- NE Orlowa
- LL Shelton
- Tagan Shepard
- Jesse René
- Cade Haddock Strong
- J Torres
Lastly…
My 12-year old self, who wrote James Bond fan-fic with a female James Bond and a closeted lesbian sidekick, is making a TikTok video in celebration.
