We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachel Moulton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a fiction writer and an educator–I believe I announced it quite boldly in the 4th grade to the entire class. At that time, I imagined being a professor at a college, teaching and working away at my own fiction. I quickly found I didn’t want to move from place to place in the way that an academic career might require. Plus, it took me a long time to publish my first novel. This led to finding other paths for making money while pursuing passions. I fell into the private school world, teaching English and eventually becoming an administrator. I loved this work and was good at it but my writing time had to take a backseat. It wasn’t until 2018 when I found an agent and sold my first book that I knew it was time for a big leap. How could I put my own writing at the forefront without losing my passion for education? I let go of my three figure salary in the private school world and focused full-time on editing and writing. While editing and teaching are not necessarily the same occupation, I see them as equivalent in many important ways. Through offering my expertise as a writing coach, via Zoom classes, and through one-on-one work on creative manuscripts, I discovered that I could have meaningful relationships with students around the world. I’ve worked with writers all over the US as well as writers in Australia, Africa, India, and the UK. Patience was key in setting up my business as is saying “yes” to good projects whenever they come along.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a novelist, manuscript editor, ghostwriter, and writing coach. I look to work with fellow writers who have a story to tell and want help to tell that story in a more powerful and professional way.
As a writer and life-long educator, editing is a familiar task, and I will freely admit that it can be a daunting one when it is my own work. Coaching and editing for others, however, is a true joy. My experience teaching students of all ages has allowed me an opportunity to offer advice at all levels of the writing process. Whether it is helping you get a project started, or polishing a nearly finished draft, I am excited to work with you.
My work as a fiction reader for The Antioch Review and as an Assistant Fiction Editor at Narrative Magazine https://www.narrativemagazine.com/ has added to my ability to identify intent and audience. As an editor, my goal is to provide feedback that is open and honest with the intention of keeping the writer engaged and passionate about their project.
I earned her B.A. from Antioch College and my M.F.A. from Emerson College. My work has appeared in a number of literary magazines including but not limited to The Bangalore Review, Chicago Quarterly Review, Cream City Review, Bryant Literary Review, Narrative Magazine, Southwest Review, and New Ohio Review. My debut novel—Tinfoil Butterfly—was long-listed for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and nominated for both a Shirley Jackson Award and a Bram Stoker. My second novel–The Insatiable Volt Sisters–was named among the top ten best horror novels for 2023 by The New York Times Book Review.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
I have always been a writer and an educator. That being said, I did not see how I could put my creative writing at the forefront and still make a living. I was an accomplished educator and administrator. I had begun teaching high school English and quickly found success in this world. I was quickly promoted, but the work was taking me further and further from literature and creative writing. Still, I always found time to write, to edit. I loved to respond to the work of fellow writers–sometimes even offering careful line edits. I took classes online and in the summer when to arts centers to meet others. I knew I was good at giving feedback. I knew how to shape a book and sell it. I didn’t know if this work could support me. I have learned in the last five years that it absolutely can.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love helping writers find their voice. Stories are essential to fostering empathy, but it takes a lot of energy and commitment to sit down and write an entire book. Even the best writers are full of doubt. I view it as my job to help them understand the value of their work and in turn see the value of themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelevemoulton.com/
- Instagram: @chellmoulton
- Facebook: [email protected]
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-moulton-95249944/
- Twitter: @chellmoulton
- Other: Rachelevemoulton.com