Writing should never be a solitary pursuit! Since April, 2008, Jillian Boehme has been blogging as Authoress, offering group critique, writing advice, encouragement, and contests with literary agents. Choosing to stay anonymous, Jillian-as-Authoress hid for years behind a red, feathered hat. She continues to blog as Authoress, but is happy to finally show her face.
The community that has grown around Authoress’s blog is a diverse, enthusiastic, dedicated group of aspiring authors that never seem to tire of offering their best to others. Ours is a safe environment for offering and receiving critique—and walking this writerly journey together.
Kind Words
Authoress has been an important part of my growth as an agent. From supplying fabulous opportunities for me to read author work, to supporting me and my authors after signing with fabulous success stories, to being a favorite in the industry for her helpful blog and contests, I can’t begin to say how much she means to me and my authors. She’s an integral piece of this business, and now as a writer and editor with her own books coming to the forefront, I’m excited to see what she does next and can’t wait to be on that journey with her. As she’s supported me and so many authors, how fun to be able to support her and her writing.
Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary Agency
Jillian has been such an incredible resource for the writing community for so many years through her contests and her blog, and a valuable friend to me on a personal level. I’m so thrilled that she’s moving out from behind the red hat and taking this next exciting step in her own career.
Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary Agency
Jillian Boehme is one of the most kind and generous people I know -- and a heck of an author to boot. She's been giving away her skills as an editor, critiquer, and community organizer for YEARS, helping God knows how many authors (including me!) become agented writers, published writers, or just plain excellent writers. She did so freely and anonymously, gaining nothing by it except a world full of authors as good as she is... which I guess is a pretty solid trade-off, now that I think about it.
Adam Heine, author of Izanami's Choice and design lead of Torment: Tides of Numenera
Authoress has been a great asset to the writing community! I met my client, Danielle L. Jensen, through one of her contests and couldn’t be more grateful.
Tamar Rydzinski, Laura Dail Literary Agency
It is my honor and good fortune to be one of Authoress’s success stories. I entered the 2014 Baker’s Dozen contest with the hope of receiving feedback on my romantic suspense manuscript. To my shock and amazement, I was chosen as one of the entries to be auctioned. Then, again to my shock and amazement, there were two agents who bid on my manuscript. I signed with the agent who “won” me, the wonderful Rena Rossner. My first novel, The Librarian and the Spy was published on April 25, 2017, by Kensington Publishing Corp. I cannot thank Authoress enough for her role.
I cannot fathom the amount of both time and herself Authoress has invested in her blog, supporting and encouraging all of us writers wherever we are along our writing path, and her contests that get the words of newbie writers in front of agents. I am eternally grateful for her positive influence on the writing community. She shares with us her journey—both her joys and difficulties—and in doing so models hope, perseverance, graciousness, vulnerability, and gratitude in all things.
Our writing community is richer because Authoress is in it.
Susan Mann, author of The Librarian and the Spy
Before I became an agent, I was just a writer with a dream and an obsession with Authoress's blog. So when I took that plunge and reached out to her to be in one of her contests, never in my wildest dreams did I expect her to accept my offer the next day and invite me to be an agent for not one contest but two!
I had the pleasure of interacting with Authoress (now Jill) for the On the Block contest last year and then several months later in her Secret Agent contest. Jill was a real gem to work with and helped answer my many many questions since I was new to the contest world. Even when there was a hiccup during the Secret Agent contest, Jill was there helping me and the writers in every way she could. It's been a honor to be a part of her contests and I thank her for having introduced me to several wonderful writers in the process. I wish her all the best of luck in her next steps forward.
Nicole Payne, Golden Wheat Literary
I’ve loved keeping in touch with Jill over the years. I’ve watched her blog become a bonafide vibrant community, and a source of support and guidance for thousands of writers.—As a bonus, through it I myself have connected with a number of strong and talented authors whom I still represent today.
Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency
Authoress is famous in the writing community for helping writers improve their craft. Through her site, her hard work, and her coveted contests, she has created a massive community of agents and writers. It was through her On the Block contest in November 2016 that I met my agent, Rena Rossner of The Deborah Harris Agency. Thank you, Authoress! I'll be forever grateful.
Maggie Findlay, author of Sticks and Bones (on submission)
Authoress has been a voice of reason and hope in the too-often bleak world of agent and publication hunting. Writing is certainly a solitary endeavor, but the connections I’ve made through her blog always remind me I’m not alone on this merry-go-round.
Alice Loweecey, author of the Giulia Driscoll mysteries
I enthusiastically recommend Authoress for editing. Her manuscript evaluation of my debut, young adult novel, The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman, improved characterization, structure, pacing, and voice. I credit her insight and expertise for helping the book win numerous awards, including Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of the Year. I look forward to working with her on my upcoming projects.
Robin Gregory, author of The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman
Authoress is the sweetest gal evah! Also, she's super smart and also the most amazing editor. When she CP'd for me, she gave me so many awesome suggestions that I ended up adding like over 10k words, fleshing things out! She's always supporting writers, helping out, creating fun blog contests, getting people to sign with agents, and I adore her for that! <3
Monica B. Wagner, author of First Blush and Second Chances
I sent Authoress the 29th draft of my novel, with the intention of only receiving a few grammatical and spelling changes. The copy I received back however, half-covered in red lines and sticky notes, addressed everything from plot holes to inconsistent characters, unbelievable coincidences to clichéd scenes, shallow motives to unrealistic backstories. Authoress didn't hold back on any of her feedback, and yet kept constructive through it all.
With each of her comments addressed, the move from my 29th draft to my 30th ended up being the most valuable shift into having a professional manuscript to submit. Within a short month, I went from having zero Requests for Full Manuscript to receiving multiple requests from agents in Canada and the U.S. Those agents that felt the story wasn't for them, even took the time to comment on how professional and well-developed the writing style and story was--a comment they definitely wouldn't have made for the 29th draft!
In my opinion, Authoress’s manuscript critique isn't a nice-to-have, it's almost required. It's the single stepping stone to not only improving your final manuscript, but to improving your writing style as a whole.
I fully recommend it!
Vance Basilio, client