How interesting that I had bookmarked inquiring with Catapult just a few months ago, which I was looking into your work (after R. Makkai recommended you, before I took the plunge on substack.)
I am continually torn between three thoughts reading down these lists: 1) Thinking I should pursue being a writing coach/editor myself; 2) Thinking I need to hire one of these coaches or take more classes; 3) Slightly overwhelmed with indecision, telling myself I just need to spend more time doing neither, but actually writing.
But I did inquire with Jaime Green about taking her Scrivener class, because using the program correctly I think could save me a lot of time formatting and putting together a short story collection, and a lot of aggravation in the process. So you helped out at least one fellow Catapultee with this post.
Courtney, this is the personification of literary citizenship. And just being an all-around good human. Thanks for showing us what support looks like in this crazy industry! I pledge to take at least one course from one of these amazing instructors and will keep the orgs who are absorbing them in my bookmarks for future reference!
I'm so sorry this has happened. I love Before and After the Book Deal. I read it from the library and planned to buy my own copy, but it wasn't urgent because it'll be a while before I'm querying. But I bought it this morning from my local indie. It's great how you're pitching in and trying to help people recover from this huge mess.
RIP Catapult classes. I met so many great writers through their classes. Shout out to Danielle Lazarin! Working with Danielle transformed my process and got me through drafting and starting revision on both short stories and a novel. She is generous, kind, and an amazing coach/teacher. I’ve been so grateful to learn from her! And here she is - available for you too!
The way that Catapult handled this business is shameful. It's makes me so angry and I didn't even work there, but their magazine promoted one of the awards I was fortunate enough to get. How hard is it to notify people before you do dirt? They're either incompetent or heartless or ashamed of their actions so that they didn't bother to notify people.
I am so sorry this happened!! I truly hope everyone finds new homes. And Before And After the Book Deal is one of the best books I've ever read on how to engage with the publishing industry. I gave it a starred review in Booklist. Courtney, would you get your rights back if the Titanic sinks?
Thank you so much! While I certainly don't want to see the books publishing arm go down in flames because there are so many great people with great books there, and talented hard working editors/publicists/marketing peeps-- yes, in theory the rights would revert to me should that branch of the business also be extinguished. Which, again-- is not what they went on the record as saying was happening. But....I'll believe it when it happens and I read about it on Twitter, is where my energy is at.
How interesting that I had bookmarked inquiring with Catapult just a few months ago, which I was looking into your work (after R. Makkai recommended you, before I took the plunge on substack.)
I am continually torn between three thoughts reading down these lists: 1) Thinking I should pursue being a writing coach/editor myself; 2) Thinking I need to hire one of these coaches or take more classes; 3) Slightly overwhelmed with indecision, telling myself I just need to spend more time doing neither, but actually writing.
But I did inquire with Jaime Green about taking her Scrivener class, because using the program correctly I think could save me a lot of time formatting and putting together a short story collection, and a lot of aggravation in the process. So you helped out at least one fellow Catapultee with this post.
That is lovely to hear Mark, and a great place to start!
Courtney, this is the personification of literary citizenship. And just being an all-around good human. Thanks for showing us what support looks like in this crazy industry! I pledge to take at least one course from one of these amazing instructors and will keep the orgs who are absorbing them in my bookmarks for future reference!
I'm so sorry this has happened. I love Before and After the Book Deal. I read it from the library and planned to buy my own copy, but it wasn't urgent because it'll be a while before I'm querying. But I bought it this morning from my local indie. It's great how you're pitching in and trying to help people recover from this huge mess.
Oh thank you so much Zena for that support!
RIP Catapult classes. I met so many great writers through their classes. Shout out to Danielle Lazarin! Working with Danielle transformed my process and got me through drafting and starting revision on both short stories and a novel. She is generous, kind, and an amazing coach/teacher. I’ve been so grateful to learn from her! And here she is - available for you too!
She's the best and her books are marvelous.
Sorry, I was so annoyed by how Catapult handled this that I didn't read through to the bottom to notice you already mentioned Dancyger's thread.
The more mentions for her the better! It's such a helpful thread.
The way that Catapult handled this business is shameful. It's makes me so angry and I didn't even work there, but their magazine promoted one of the awards I was fortunate enough to get. How hard is it to notify people before you do dirt? They're either incompetent or heartless or ashamed of their actions so that they didn't bother to notify people.
This also might be of interest. Corporealwrite is apparently taking pitches from instructors re courses to be taught: https://twitter.com/tumblehawk/status/1625573668775694337
Yes! Lilly's thread is so helpful. I reached my word limit on this job board but wanted to include Corporeal next week-- they're so great.
I am so sorry this happened!! I truly hope everyone finds new homes. And Before And After the Book Deal is one of the best books I've ever read on how to engage with the publishing industry. I gave it a starred review in Booklist. Courtney, would you get your rights back if the Titanic sinks?
Thank you so much! While I certainly don't want to see the books publishing arm go down in flames because there are so many great people with great books there, and talented hard working editors/publicists/marketing peeps-- yes, in theory the rights would revert to me should that branch of the business also be extinguished. Which, again-- is not what they went on the record as saying was happening. But....I'll believe it when it happens and I read about it on Twitter, is where my energy is at.
Makes sense. Ugh, what a dumpster fire the whole thing is.