Monday, April 11, 2011

The Best Tsunami



It feels like a tidal wave of saved up good Karma has washed over me all in the span of a few days and it has left me happily gasping for air.

My most exciting news is also the news that has taken the longest to get to. For fifteen years I’ve been working hard at nurturing my dream of some day being an author. I’ve written short stories and essays, slaved through 3 day novel writing competitions. I’ve attended conferences in short story writing, creative nonfiction and memoir. I’ve started countless novels and have even managed to finish a few of them. I’ve entered contests, and almost won a few and I’ve seen one essay go on to be published in a literary magazine. All that has brought me to the exciting place I am today: accepting representation from literary agent Kerry Sparks at Levine Greenberg. I couldn’t be happier!

Not only were my dreams of finding an amazing agent realized, but I also just found out that the play that my mom and I wrote together (tentatively entitled A Man Enters) is being considered by Salt Lake Acting Company for their 2011-2012 season. I can’t believe how lucky I am not only to be able to write a play with my best friend (and mom), but to possibly see that play produced. This play is extra special because it’s partially based off of my own life and my relationship with my estranged father. If anyone is interested in hearing our play while it’s still in development, SLAC (Salt Lake Acting Company) will be holding a reading of our play on April 25th at 7:00.

Lest you think that the only good news lately has come to my writing life, let me assure you that I’ve also had plenty of good news about my art as well. Not only has my wonderful publisher, Laurie Downing at Poems Art Inc., informed me that she’s getting barraged with calls for new work from me, but she also arranged for a very cool exclusive painting for a big client. I also found out that the new movie 21 Jump Street has requested to use 10 of my prints on their set.

Wow! I’m exhausted with good news, but I won’t complain if the waves keep coming.

6 comments:

  1. You are truly amazing Kate! Congrats on all the wonderful news. I am so happy for you and more than happy that you are my friend. I can't wait to read your books, go to your productions, and of course hang up more of your artwork in my home. All us Scalleywags love you to death.

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  2. That is awesome, I am so happy for you :) You are an amazing person!

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  3. Holy smokes, you have been deluged with good news! Congratulations!! :)

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  4. Congrats on getting representation. Levine Greenberg is great. I hope you can relax and just celebrate your good fortune for a while!

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  5. Thank you everyone. I wish I could rest and take it all in, but now the real work begins. I've got a major rewrite to tackle, but I'm excited to begin again with fresh eyes.

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  6. Kate, I'm so very excited for you and proud of you. Got my own Kate Birches framed to my left here in my office (By My Hand I and II). I wish I could be there for the reading on April 25 at SLAC. Do you know my friends Kathleen Cahill and Julie Jensen (also SLAC playwrights)? You're in good company there. I'm eager to know more about your manuscript. Lemme know if you're looking for eyes.

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