All Student Success Letters

E.J. Kavounas

Dear Gotham,

It's winter 2021. Hoping to acquire a new skill during lockdown, I type “writing mentor” into Google search. A year later and several zoom calls, I’ve published my first short story with another project on the way.

I’ve taken writing classes before, started and stopped projects, but never felt like the work I was producing was good enough. The Mentorship with Arlaina Tibensky of Gotham gave me just enough structure, constructive feedback, and encouragement to work through my first story, a Black Mirror-esque piece of fiction which was published by Infinite Worlds magazine edition #11 this summer. I couldn't be happier with the experience.

Building on this success, I created a new audio drama called Broken Road, available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere else people listen to podcasts. With a full cast of voice actors, it’s basically a dystopian western about the power of ingenuity and importance of community in the face of corporate greed and corruption.

Neither of these projects would have happened without Gotham and especially the wisdom and guidance of Arlaina. Thank you for an experience I would highly recommend. Looking forward to continuing to work together soon.

With gratitude,

E.J. Kavounas