When I started writing my speculative young adult novel, Elia in Isola, as a creative experiment during my postdoc, I never imagined it would lead me to the McCormack Writing Center's Speculative Fall Workshop. To my excitement, I have been selected to participate in the workshop, and given the chance to take this project further with mentor Tehlor Kay Mejia. This is a meaningful opportunity for me to grow as a writer, and to continue to develop my speculative novel for young adults.

My novel is a speculative gothic horror story set in 1600s Venice. It follows a young nun on the verge of adulthood who begins to suffer visions of death all around the city. For research, I attended the Rare Book School at UCLA on the history of the book. Drawing on my research into book history and the early modern lives of cloistered women has deepened my commitment: I hope to represent this period accurately through a speculative lens.

I am raising funds to cover the $800 tuition for the workshop. With your help, I will be able to fully take part in this experience, refine my novel, and learn from both my mentor and a community of fellow writers who share my passion for speculative fiction.

If you are able to contribute or share my fundraiser, it would mean so much to me. Your support will help me continue this work, towards a project which is deeply personal to me. Thank you for believing in my writing, and contributing your goodwill towards my future journey as an emerging writer of fiction for young adults.