As I sit in my office, a blanket over my lap, staring at a computer screen, listening to birds sing outside my window, and writing on a book deadline, I can officially call myself a professional writer. Not long ago, well, actually over a decade ago, before even starting this blog, I was just a youngling writer wading through rejection letters, an array of critiques and feedback, and a lot of hope.

My hope, back then, was to publish stories in children’s magazines. I also wrote short middle grade novels, and had a chapter book series idea that I pitched to Fiewel & Friends. It was about a dinosaur named FlowerMiss, who took children on adventures in the brim of her straw hat. Back then, in the olden days, I submitted sample chapters with my cover letter in snail mail, with a self-addressed stamped envelope. A year later, Jean Fiewel wrote me a personal note. It didn’t even come in my original self-addressed stamped envelope, but on their dime and on their letterhead. She said they enjoyed the sample chapters and considered the pitch, but it just wasn’t right for them at the moment. It was a rejection. But I was thrilled! I had received a personal note from a notable editor and publisher.

At that point, before Indie publishing was a thing, my mom and I published a little picture book together. I wrote a short article about our personal journey, and an editor, Leon Ograski, from The Writers’ Journal, offered to publish the story and paid me $25. I was officially a published author! 

Eventually, a few of my other short stories were published in Hopscotch, Fun for Kidz, and Highlights. But even then, I didn’t consider myself a professional writer.

At last, after querying agents for a few years, I received an offer of representation and a contract from a literary agent who would sub a non-fiction picture book I had been working on for a while. I was elated because I knew my stories would reach a wider range of editors and publishers.

For a brief moment, I felt like a professional writer, but when my agent couldn’t sell the book, unfortunately, my mind reset to thinking that this writing thing was just a hobby, and I shouldn’t take it too seriously.

After a few years, my agent and I parted ways, but on friendly and kind terms, where we both liked and respected each other. About that same time, I had sent a résumé to a small press publishing company that wrote educational books. They reached out and offered me a contract to write a short chapter book on spec. Their outline for the book was very detailed, and it involved significant research, but I felt I was up to the task, and was happy to accept their payment of $400 for 1250 words. This was the most I had ever been paid to write.

After that, I became engrossed in writing a middle grade novel based on a newspaper article I found in my mom‘s scrapbook, featuring a terrible car crash my family was involved in and experienced in the 1970s. The book, Little Miss Wanderling was/is the book of my heart, as well as its sister novel, Ella on the Corner of Cranberry Street.

To my surprise and delight, I was offered agent representation a second time for my first novel. My new agent subbed the novel to about 10 editors, major publishers from the big five or six, I can’t remember what the number is now, but several requested the full manuscript. And I received a rewrite and resubmit (R&R) from one editor.

Though right before the pandemic hit, sadly, my agent and I parted ways. I felt nothing but great respect for my agent, and thought she was a lovely person, but we did not have the same editorial vision, and it was a hindrance more than a help.

Now that the pandemic was in full swing, I made a goal to take some writing courses, specifically novel writing classes from UCLA extension, and receive a certificate in creative writing. My instructor, Robert Eversz, and small class size of seven, which had to be approved by the instructor before taking the course, were amazing in every way. They taught me how to craft a story in a compelling way, and how to think like a writer. They taught me so much about what my expectations are regarding my writing and publishing goals. Plus, they were just fun to work with!

So, this leads me to today where I sit in my room with a book deadline looming over me. Maybe, I’m writing this blog post because I’m procrastinating, or maybe this is just a good way to clear my mind for the story to take shape.

But in April 2023, when I was offered a four book contract from Phoenix International Publications (PIP Kids), in my mind, that’s the day I became a professional writer. The first two books in the GEORGE THE FLYBOT series debuted about five months ago, and books 3 and 4 will be released in July and October of this year (2025). Right now, I am writing book 5, and love where this story is going. This tiny robotic fly, with his amazing tech and gadgetry, and discovery of humanity, and all that it means to be alive, has captured my heart as well. I love this character, and I’m excited to share him with all of you. I won’t say what I’m being paid, but it’s more than $400 like my last book, and it includes royalties.

Many authors say they never get to the point where they’ve earned out their advance and start receiving royalties. But I have a feeling, that in time, Georgie, my little flybot, is going to take off and jet into the hearts of many, many readers. And it’s not all about the royalties, it’s about the young readers, who will be inspired. That’s always who it was about.

So yes, I can say it out loud: I am a professional writer. And you know, I believe I was one all along.