We were lucky to catch up with Demi Michelle Schwartz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Demi Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

On November 10, 2023, I signed with my literary agent, Michelle Jackson at LCS Literary. Reaching this milestone was a top highlight of my 2023, since I worked so hard to get here.

Once I graduated with my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in June of 2022, I plunged into querying agents. Receiving rejections made me doubt my talent many times, but I found it within me to persevere because being a published author one day is my dream. Instead of giving up on that dream, I kept going, learning and growing as a writer along the way. After querying for nearly a year and four months and pitching three manuscripts, I finally got my offer of representation.

Looking back on my querying journey, I’m recognizing how I’ve evolved as an author. I’ve not only improved my craft tremendously but also gained knowledge about the publishing industry as a whole. Though there’s still much more to learn, I better understand the industry, making me feel more confident as I embark on the next chapter of my literary adventure with my agent. Every one of my manuscripts is a piece of my heart. Now that I have an agent, it’s a wonderful feeling knowing someone believes in my stories and wants to help me get them out into the world.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a very creative and driven person, being part of the music, publishing, and podcasting industries. As a songwriter and recording artist, I primarily write pop and country, though I love sprinkling other genre flavors in my music. On August 5, 2023, I took home my first music award. My sophomore project, It Is What It Is, won USA Female Album of the Year (Bronze) at the International Singer Songwriters Association Awards in Atlanta. Now that it’s the new year, I’m looking forward to releasing lots of music, including my eight-track pop album, Hear Me Out, anticipated to drop during the second half of 2024. My music is released on all the download and streaming platforms, my artist name being Demi Michelle.

In author land, I write young adult fiction, focusing on the fantasy and thriller genres. After earning my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in 2022, I started pursuing traditional publishing and signed with my literary agent in November of 2023. I’m looking forward to taking the next steps toward my dream of becoming a published author.

Early 2024, I’ll be launching Amethyst Ink Editorial, my freelance editing services. I truly love reading others’ work and providing feedback, so taking the leap into freelance editing is something I’ve been planning for a while. All the information for Amethyst Ink Editorial will be on my official website soon.

I’m also the host of Write on Track: A Songwriting Podcast. This show received a nomination for Media Company of the Year at the 9th Annual Josie Music Awards in 2023. On the show, I have genuine conversations with talented guests spanning all areas of the music industry. Each episode centers around a topic, providing listeners with a wide range of knowledge, experiences, and insights about the music industry. New episodes are released every other Sunday on all the major podcast platforms.

Since I’ve enjoyed hosting Write on Track, I’ll be launching a sister show later in 2024 called Literary Blend: A Publishing Podcast. This show will have a similar format to Write on Track but focusing on publishing rather than music.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

This may sound cliché on the surface, but the most rewarding aspect of being a songwriter and author is the art I create. I truly believe creativity is a gift, and I’m forever blessed that I have my craft as an outlet to share my emotions, experiences, and imagination.

As a songwriter, my music gives me the chance to express my story in ways I’m unable to through only words. I’ve always been introverted and tend to keep things to myself. For this reason, my songs are how I process my feelings and put experiences into perspective. The beautiful part is getting to share my music with the hope of it touching others’ lives.

My approach as an author is different, though it still holds the same magic. Where my music is autobiographical, my manuscripts are fiction. There’s something so enchanting about imagining characters and their stories. Whether I’m writing a thriller set in the real world or crafting a fantasy full of magic and mythology, my manuscripts offer me a wondrous escape from reality. Also, I’ve learned so much about myself through my stories. Oftentimes, things I never really thought about show up in my work, giving me the chance to discover more about who I am on a deep level.

I like to think of art as a mirror. Both songs and books have the ability to reflect back truths about myself and the world around me. Getting to create art that is not only special to me but has the potential to impact others in meaningful ways is why it’s so rewarding to be a songwriter and author.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal at the core of everything I do is to inspire others. Through writing authentic songs, telling fictional stories with heart and themes important to me, and hosting a podcast that puts others’ experiences on a pedestal, I hope my contributions to my various creative industries open the door for others to believe their creative endeavors hold purpose. Pursuing any artistic career brings challenges, but obstacles are just part of the journey. I’ve had success in all areas of my creative life, finding happiness along the way despite the curveballs. So, through everything I do, I try my best to remain transparent about my experiences while also shining the spotlight on the fact that anything is possible if you have a dream worth chasing.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://demimschwartz.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartz
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartz
• Other: Email: demi@demimschwartz.com