None of my crazy career choices would’ve been possible without the enduring love and encouragement of my partner, Sherri Leggett.
When I told her, “I quit my (very high-paying tech) job today to become a writer,” she said, “Ho-kay. Have you ever written anything?”
I said, “Pfft. No. But look at all the books out there. How hard can it be?”
I’m here to tell you, it’s haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard.
I owe my twenty-five-year writing career to my editor, Megan Tingley, who discovered me while we were still in trainers. She’s been my mentor from the time she was an associate editor until now, in her current position as Executive Vice President and Publisher at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. I’ve brought her a long way, don’t you think? Thank you, too, to all the employees at LBYR who work their butts off to make great books.
Not long after Megan and I met, it was my great fortune to hook up (figuratively) with my brilliant agent, Wendy Schmalz. She’s been my biggest champion and will remain my friend forever and ever. That woman can work miracles.
An author needs support from her writing community, and I am extremely grateful to The Wild Writers (thewildwriters.com) for their time and talents in critiquing my work.
Thank you to all the teachers and librarians who make my books available to young readers, and to the readers themselves, young and young-at-heart, who’ve continued my cycle of empowerment by letting me know how much my books have validated, comforted, and inspired them.
Adopt a cat today.
Love, Julie