The querying journey is full of passes. They are the expected, the inevitable. In this insightful episode, Agent Heather Cashman helps us understand the many reasons for agent passes—beyond writing quality. (And plot spoiler, that is often not the reason at all!)

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Heather Cashman (Agent and Author):

Heather loves books about people she could become friendswith and introduce a new world, but she cherishes the ones that make her want to be the heroine of her own life. Writing for enjoyment turned into an interest in improving craft and eventually led to becoming a professional editor for Cornerstones Literary Consultancy, volunteering asManaging Director of Pitch Wars, interning for The Bent Agency and Entangled Publishing, and now a Senior Literary Agent and Agent Mentor at Storm Literary Agency.

Agency Website: https://www.stormliteraryagency.com/heather-cashman.html

Website: www.heathercashman.com

Way Word Writers Podcast: https://way-wordwriters.com/

BlueSky: @heathercashman.bsky.social

Twitter: @HeatherCashman

Instagram: @heathercashmanauthor

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlitauthor, trauma therapist, experienced professor, internationalpresenter/speaker, Picture Book Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Dara Henry (Author) and Danielle Render Turmaud (Host/Author) discuss finding a silver lining amidst the (many) passes we may face in the publishing journey.

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Dara Henry (Author):

Dara has a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and as a former elementary school teacher, she gained an appreciation for the beauty and power of children’s literature. Dara’s debut picture book, Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, was published on September 3, 2024 with Sourcebooks Kids. Her second book, Mazel Tov, Baby! launched September 16, 2025. She is represented by Rena Rossner of The Deborah Harris Agency.

IG: dara_henry_writes

X: @dshenry1

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Picture Book Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 3 is here!! And what a great way to launch the seasonby sharing this episode where Ryan Rae Harbuck discusses the 5 P’s of living life as a writer/creator fully—something we all deserve. Ryan shares the 5 impactful words that can help ground us in this journey (Passion, Perspective, Patience, Positivity, and Perseverance) and how she created this meaningful model in her own life/journey.  

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ryan Rae Harbuck (Author):

Her award-winning debut memoir WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A CHAIR set off sparks in Ryan’s belly and a yearning for change within disability representation in literature. With words in Huffington Post, Newsweek, Insider, Motherwell, and New Mobility Magazine, Ryan has shared her own life experiences as a wheelchair user caused by a spinal cord injury in her teens. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Ryan has been a teacher, coach, mentor, and mom, and she’s on a mission to change the perspective and the narrativewithin both children and adult literature, one word at a time. 

Website: www.ryanraeharbuck.com

All socials @ryanraeharbuck (Twitter/X, IG, Bluesky,TikTok, Substack)

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlitauthor, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Picture Book Critique Coach with the Picture Book Author Academy, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Navigating the publication industry with neurodiversity is not void of challenges, but it also can involve superpowers. In this episode, Agent/Author Kaitlyn Sanchez and Host Danielle Render Turmaud talk about what it might look and feel like to navigate the publishing industry as a marginalizedneurotype, and provide resources. And most of all, they share the message that regardless of our neurotype, we can trust ourselves and we deserve support.

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kaitlyn Sanchez (Agent/Author):

Kaitlyn Sanchez (she/her) is an agent with Bradford LiteraryAgency and a middle school math teacher. She's also the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week as well as creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. In her free time, she loves to play soccer, binge-watch TV shows, and, ofcourse, read. Especially when she’s all cozied up with her husband and daughter reading together.

Website: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kaitlynleann17.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaitlynLeann17

Please follow her clients on social media: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/literary-clients/

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author,trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Writing is a powerful tool that helps us feel, process, be with, and transcend trauma. There is so much wisdom shared in this episode from Amanda Dodge and Z.T. Fairfax as they share their journeys of using writing as a part of navigating trauma in their own lives. May it inspire you as much as writing has inspired them.

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Amanda Dodge (Author):

Amanda Dodge is a mother and a full-time ghostwriter of fiction and non-fiction based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While writing has her heart, her background is in developmental psychology, specializing in trauma and addiction counseling. 

X: @manda_dodge

Bluesky: @amandadodge

Z. T. Fairfax (Author):

Former award-winning editor, Z. T. Fairfax, is a young adult fiction author, Public Relations Director, husband, father, and the proud owner of one cat and four kittens. Residing in the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, Z. T. balances his work/home life against his crippling addition to social media and his email inbox.

Twitter/X : @ZTFairfax

BlueSky: @ztfairfax

Website: ztfairfax.com

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Film Discussed in the Ending of the Episode:

The Wisdom of Trauma with Dr. Gabor Maté:

https://scienceandnonduality.com/films/the-wisdom-of-trauma/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21872533652&gbraid=0AAAAADfN2vmFxGx_gPUZC2BbDd2tA22Qt&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnJfEBhCzARIsAIMtfKKa9PqA_6W03mTCYQGYwe8c9a0yglElTRAaKB2CxJYORS3jHY-xzAYaApMxEALw_wcB

The passion, brilliance, and effort that bilingual immigrant writers and bilingual writers put into their craft and journey is inspiring. In this episode, Abrams Editor/Author Ivan Taurisano and Danielle Render Turmaud discuss the writing journey and mental health for bilingual immigrant authors. This is an episode for bilingual immigrant authors to feel seen, heard, and championed—and an episode for all of us to learn more about others, and ourselves.

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ivan Taurisano (Editor/Author):

Ivan Taurisano is an Associate Editor at Abrams, specializing in children's licenses and intellectual property. His work includes novelty books, board books, graphic novels, and select MG and YA titles. He has collaborated on several successful series and brands, such as How to Catch, Little Heroes, Big Hearts, Sesame Street, Disney, Tokidoki, and Pokémon. Ivan moved from Rome to the US almost ten years ago to pursue a career in children’s book publishing, and his guiding principle is that a child whose life is transformed by a book is one step closer to becoming an adult who will change the world.

X: @IvanTaurisano

IG: @ivantaurisano

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Having hope and fighting for our dreams is such an importantpart of the writing/creating journey, and balance is something we all need and deserve too. In this episode, Valerie Bolling (Author) and Danielle Render Turmaud (Host) discuss ways to find hope and balance in the writing andpublication journey.

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Valerie Bolling (Author):

Valerie is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. She’s the author of seven picture books, a Scholastic Acorn early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS,and a book for teachers, GOAL SETTING IN THE WRITING CLASSROOM. Sharing her books with children and inspiring them to write their own stories brings Valerie immense joy! 

Website: valeriebolling.com
Twitter: twitter.com/valerie_bolling
Instagram: instagram.com/valeriebollingauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/ValerieBollingAuthor
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valerie-bolling-223a92271

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author,trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day kidlit event, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠

Links Discussed in the Episode:

Tara Lazar’s Kidlit Storystorm:

https://taralazar.com/storystorm/

The writing and publication journey involves frequent input from others—editors, agents, critique partners, and readers. In this episode, Christina Shawn (Author) and Danielle Render Turmaud (Host) talk about finding ways to lay down the approval of others and let your writing journey be your own (even when querying and on submission).

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Christina Shawn (Author):

Christina Shawn is a reading specialist, literacy coach, andauthor who writes heartfelt and humorous stories about magical moments in our everyday lives. She is the author of picture books AND THEN CAME YOU, NO LOVE POTION, and LUCAS PLAYS. Her current projects focus on early literacyfoundations while helping children feel seen, heard, and understood.

 IG / FB / threads / Bluesky / X : @christinashawnbooks

Website: christinashawn.com

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author,trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠

Supporting others doesn't just bring benefit to others. Research talks about the many well-being benefits that come from supporting others. In this episode, YMWJ host (Danielle Render Turmaud) talks with Amy Nielsen on the topic of giving back to the writing community; and the benefits it can have for all of us.

You, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Amy Nielsen (Agent/Author):

Amy Nielsen spent nearly twenty years as a youth librarian, putting books into the hands of eager readers. She now is on the other side of the publishing aisle as a literary agent at The Purcell Agency, putting books into the hands of eager editors. When she is not nose-down in the publishing world, she and her family can be found boating the waters of Tampa Bay.

Website: www.amynielsenauthor.com

Twitter: AmyNielsen 06

Bluesky: AmyNielsen

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this special crossover episode, You, Me, and the Writing Journey Podcast host Danielle Render Turmaud speaks with Brenna Jeanneret and Josh Monken, You May Contribute a Verse hosts, around being bravely vulnerable in our writing, coping with the cumulation of passes in this industry, and more! We laughed, we smiled, and Danielle even teared up a little bit. We hope you enjoy it.

You May Contribute a Verse:

@VerseShowYou, Me, and the Writing Journey

(X, Instagram, and BlueSky): @YMWJPodcast

Podcast Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/you-me-the-writing-journey-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brenna Jeanneret (You May Contribute a Verse Podcast Co-Host/Author):

BlueSky/IG:www.brennajeanneret.com Josh Monken (You May Contribute a Verse Podcast Co-Host/Author): 

BlueSky/IG: @JoshMonkwords

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD (Host/Author/Therapist):

Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, and the host of You, Me, and the Writing Journey, Take Your Kid to Publishing Day, and the #YouDeservepIt Pitch event.

X, BlueSky, and Instagram: @Drenderturmaud

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Announcements:

Take Your Kid to Publishing Day!

You, Me, and the Writing Journey Podcast Host (Danielle Render Turmaud) is hosting a special children’s publishing event in July 2025 called Take Your Kid to Publishing Day. Please find the information on this event below and share with your networks!

Take Your Kid to Publishing Day is a FREE virtual children’s publishing event that invites children 5+ (including teens) to meet literary agents, editors, and published authors/illustrators. Children will have the opportunity to engage in fun activities and conversations, listen to published children's books, and engage in Q&As with the authors and publishing professionals. This virtual event will take place Saturday, July 19th at 9:00 a.m. PST/12:00 p.m. EST and will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. For more information or to register a child, see the link below. If you are interested in registering as a publishing professional, please register at the link below or contact Danielle with questions at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm/general-5 ⁠⁠⁠⁠(Registration will close at the end of June)