Meet Julia Park Tracey, Acquisitions Editor, Sibylline Press

Julia Park Tracey is that powerful being in a writer’s life, an Acquisitions Editor. To her falls the crippling power to say NO to your book, or the enormous, incredible, expansive power to say YES. How does she decide?

And, Julia is an author herself. A writer of historical fictions, some of them—like mine—based on family history, she knows what it’s like on both sides of the desk. How does that influence her work?

A third source of intrigue: where she works. Sibylline Press is a small publisher that focuses on books by women over the age of 50. (I know: a lot of you meet that criteria, right? At least four of you on this email list have already received a YES from Julia.) Sibylline’s business model is not traditional, nor is it the standard hybrid or vanity. Actually, exactly what is it and why?

If, like me, you are interested in getting these answers — and if, indeed, you have more questions of your own — please join me for a chat with Julia Park Tracey at 5:30pm PT on Thursday, November 20th. Register here to save your seat.

If you missed last month’s interview with Susanna Kwan, it was remarkable for its warmth and candor, and for some telling insights about staying true to your art. You can watch the recording here. Susanna is also joining with authors Meng Jin, Rachel Khong, and Shruti Swami to offer retreats and courses, both in-person and online, Their brainchild, The Dream Side, creates space for writers to dream and grow, with two upcoming programs for 2026 that are currently accepting applications: YES, MOLECULE, a year-long virtual novel generator, and GREEN HOURS, a five-night retreat in southern Oregon (Mar 29 to April 3). Please contact Susanna at susanna@thedreamside.com if you have any questions.

And now, while I’m on the subject of writing lives and being published, it’s time for some big congratulations!

Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, community member and one of my Quiet Writing partners, has just published her third YA thriller, THE TRESPASSERS.

In the frozen wilderness of Alaska, Finley, Mya, River, and Eli were inseparable—until tragedy shattered their bond and drove Finley away. Now it’s senior year, and she’s back, hoping to reclaim the friendships she lost. But when Mya throws a house party on a snowy night, Finley realizes the group isn’t what it used to be. And maybe they never were.

Then a stranger crashes the party. Then someone ends up dead. Then everything unravels.

As the four teens scramble to hide what happened, their secrets begin to surface—and the lies they tell each other might be the most dangerous of all. How far will they go to protect each other? And who’s worth saving?

Community member Ann Huchingson, once the head writer on Wicked, Wicked Games, a 65-episode primetime television drama starring Tatum O’Neal, has just self-published her debut MG novel, THE WATCHWOOD INHERITANCE.

When Peter's parents drag him to Watchwood Farm, the long-abandoned ancestral home, Peter discovers his father isn’t who he thought he was…and neither is Watchwood.

Haunted by spirits desperate to reveal a centuries-old mystery, Peter is pulled into a chilling quest for answers. With the help of sharp-witted Hadley Hawkins, granddaughter of Watchwood’s groundskeeper, Peter must uncover the truth behind his uncle Lincoln’s disappearance and the dark legacy buried deep in Watchwood’s past.

Community member Valerie Saul—one of the aforementioned four of you who have sold your books to Sybilline Press—has now got her gorgeous new cover and her publication date.

THE BADASS WIDOWS, a mystery about four women who deal with grief by forming a secret band of crime fighters (what could go wrong?), features unconventional characters, irreverent humor, and the power of female friendship. It will be coming to good bookstores everywhere on March 6, 2026.

So, congratulations Val, and Jen, and Ann!
Don’t forget to drop me a line if you have news to share!

And finally, one more opportunity for all: Lisa Manterfield whom many of you already know as an editor and writing coach, is offering a ten week course to get you started in the new year: Start Strong, a fun, fast-paced generative workshop.

Each week, you’ll uncover your story through prompts and exercises to form the characters, settings, structure, and plot of your novel. You’ll harness the power of community for accountability, while also playing and experimenting in a safe, facilitated environment.

Click here to reserve your spot now and start your 2026 writing year strong.

Hope to see you on Thursday November 20th with Julia. Until then, happy writing,

Shirin