All Student Success Letters

Raymond Black

Dear Gotham,
 
Thank you for all the help I have received over the years from your workshops in reaching my goal of becoming a published author. At Gotham, I have enjoyed and learned from an exceptional group of writing instructors, including Robin Miller for Screenwriting, Alvin Eng for Playwriting, and Carolyn MacCullough for Children’s Book Writing. I also took an invaluable course with literary agent JL Stermer on How to Get Published. It was in that class where I learned how to write a pitch and the value of a good book synopsis. 
 
In 2013 I published a YA novel titled Zombie Scout: the Diary of Jack Sullivan, which can be found on Amazon. In April of this year, Luft Books published my middle grade fantasy adventure novel (with strong adult appeal, I have been told) Ethan Weiss and the City Between Two Rivers.
 
I began writing Ethan Weiss in Carolyn MacCullough’s Children’s Book Writing I course, and continued working on it in several more classes with her. I don’t think the book would exist today without Carolyn’s guidance and insight at its inception. Aside from being a lovely human being, Carolyn is an amazing teacher as well as a wonderful published author herself. I have greatly enjoyed her books, Stealing Henry and Drawing the Ocean.
 
Gotham Writers Workshop will always hold a very special place in my heart. And if I can find the time, I would love to one day take a Mystery Writing course. No matter how old a dog any of us are, we are never too old to learn a few new tricks. 
 
(I just want to add that the wonderful cover of Ethan Weiss and the City Between Two Rivers.
was drawn by my nephew Ian Black, who happens this year to be the exact same age as Ethan in the story. Ian graciously agreed to read my novel and design a cover for it when I asked. He definitely has a career ahead of him as an illustrator, and will one day possibly be drawing your book covers, too.)
 
Cheers to everyone at Gotham,
R. Diskin Black
twitter.com/rdiskinblack