Sarah Marie Jette hosted our Instagram on March 3rd for our #FellowFriday series. Below are a few questions that we asked Sarah Marie.
Latinx In Publishing (LxP): Why did you decide to apply to the Latinx in Publishing Fellowship program?
Sarah Marie Jette (SMJ): I applied for the Work in Progress Fellowship through Latinx in Publishing because I knew my manuscript had potential but I needed help getting it polished up. A year ago, several agents asked for my full manuscript, but ultimately passed. Based on the bits of feedback I received, I knew there were areas in my manuscript I wanted to target (pacing and character development), but I needed support. This fellowship has given me that support.
LxP: What has this experience meant to you?
SMJ: This experience has meant the world to me. I am not exaggerating. I have had to tone down my enthusiasm and excitement.—The first few weeks of this fellowship, I spent hours upon hours revising and sending material to Jess. She helped me pace myself.
After receiving rejections when querying my manuscript, I now have the Latinx in Publishing team and Jess by my side as I continue my writing journey, and it is amazing. In the past 6 months I have grown not only as a writer, but also in my understanding of the publishing industry.
LxP: What advice would you give to anyone applying to the program?
SMJ: My advice to anyone who is interested in applying is to take the chance and apply. Polish up your manuscript as best as you can and complete the application. When I got the acceptance email from Latinx in Publishing, I read it multiple times to make sure I was reading it correctly. It seemed too good to be true!
LxP: What's one of your favorite things you've learned during the fellowship?
I think the favorite thing about this fellowship is getting to know my editor, Jess. She is an editor, but she doesn't just edit. She writes proposals, meets with different departments within her publishing house (acquisitions, sales, marketing, etc.). She also reads through submissions. She does so much!
LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?
I am currently reading The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes. It is so good! [Read our review here]
Sarah Marie Jette has the best job in the world, teaching 3rd graders. In 2022, Sarah Marie was honored as a semi-finalist for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year recognition. Sarah Marie is Mexican-American and grew up in Lewiston, Maine. Her first book, What the Wind Can Tell You, was published by Islandport Press in 2018. When she isn't teaching or writing, she plays board games with her 3 kids and snuggles with her 4 cats.
