Rowan Brighton Brown
@rowanbrightonbrown.bsky.social
⋆Queer Southern Novelist 🌿
⋆✒️WTMP & 🩵 SmoochPit Mentor
⋆Rep: @abuckslater.bsky.social @ SJGA
⋆Grad Student/Them in STEM 🌈⚕️
https://linktr.ee/RowanBrightonBrown
⋆✒️WTMP & 🩵 SmoochPit Mentor
⋆Rep: @abuckslater.bsky.social @ SJGA
⋆Grad Student/Them in STEM 🌈⚕️
https://linktr.ee/RowanBrightonBrown
Pinned
Re-pitching my queer + trans Appalachian horror for pride ✨
"Southern inheritances are always dark—whether it's a penchant for pills, a blood-soaked family farm, or an ancient magic. Sierra spurns them all, but when her dad disappears, she must choose which monsters to slay, and which to become."
"Southern inheritances are always dark—whether it's a penchant for pills, a blood-soaked family farm, or an ancient magic. Sierra spurns them all, but when her dad disappears, she must choose which monsters to slay, and which to become."
And we're closed! I took a few extras since it filled up so quick, but if you still didn't make it this round, I'll be back Dec 1st!
My free query critiques officially open tomorrow at 9:00AM EST! As always, they're truly free, in-depth, and encouraging!
In an effort to keep responses as timely as possible, I'll close it after my first 15 responses.
sites.google.com/view/rowanbr...
In an effort to keep responses as timely as possible, I'll close it after my first 15 responses.
sites.google.com/view/rowanbr...
Free Critiques
Free Query Critiques
sites.google.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
And we're closed! I took a few extras since it filled up so quick, but if you still didn't make it this round, I'll be back Dec 1st!
My free query critiques officially open tomorrow at 9:00AM EST! As always, they're truly free, in-depth, and encouraging!
In an effort to keep responses as timely as possible, I'll close it after my first 15 responses.
sites.google.com/view/rowanbr...
In an effort to keep responses as timely as possible, I'll close it after my first 15 responses.
sites.google.com/view/rowanbr...
Free Critiques
Free Query Critiques
sites.google.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:03 PM
My free query critiques officially open tomorrow at 9:00AM EST! As always, they're truly free, in-depth, and encouraging!
In an effort to keep responses as timely as possible, I'll close it after my first 15 responses.
sites.google.com/view/rowanbr...
In an effort to keep responses as timely as possible, I'll close it after my first 15 responses.
sites.google.com/view/rowanbr...
Oh wow, I really love sensitivity reading. There's something so cool about being able to use your experience to make other stories more accurate and empathetic.
If anyone needs help with their trans characters, please take a look at my website! I'd love to work together!
If anyone needs help with their trans characters, please take a look at my website! I'd love to work together!
October 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Oh wow, I really love sensitivity reading. There's something so cool about being able to use your experience to make other stories more accurate and empathetic.
If anyone needs help with their trans characters, please take a look at my website! I'd love to work together!
If anyone needs help with their trans characters, please take a look at my website! I'd love to work together!
I finally finished my backlog of over 1000 free query critiques 🥹
It was a lot, so going forward, I'll be opening a limited number of slots on certain dates starting Nov. 1st!
(I'll also give away a couple guaranteed slots in a lil pitch contest post to celebrate soon!)
It was a lot, so going forward, I'll be opening a limited number of slots on certain dates starting Nov. 1st!
(I'll also give away a couple guaranteed slots in a lil pitch contest post to celebrate soon!)
October 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I finally finished my backlog of over 1000 free query critiques 🥹
It was a lot, so going forward, I'll be opening a limited number of slots on certain dates starting Nov. 1st!
(I'll also give away a couple guaranteed slots in a lil pitch contest post to celebrate soon!)
It was a lot, so going forward, I'll be opening a limited number of slots on certain dates starting Nov. 1st!
(I'll also give away a couple guaranteed slots in a lil pitch contest post to celebrate soon!)
A pacing tip I always wish I could yell at my past self while shaking them vigorously—Skip the getting there. Skip the getting ready. Skip the walking to and waking up for. Write the thing and only the thing!
September 8, 2025 at 2:17 PM
A pacing tip I always wish I could yell at my past self while shaking them vigorously—Skip the getting there. Skip the getting ready. Skip the walking to and waking up for. Write the thing and only the thing!
Reposted by Rowan Brighton Brown
📣Announcing #PreDV and #DVParty!📣
Excited to bring back #PreDV & #DVParty leading up to #DVPit!
Practice your pitches during #PreDV on Mon, Sept 29, 2025!
Get to know your fellow participants during #DVParty from Oct 2-Oct 7!
Follow this account or dvpit.carrd.co for all official announcements!
Excited to bring back #PreDV & #DVParty leading up to #DVPit!
Practice your pitches during #PreDV on Mon, Sept 29, 2025!
Get to know your fellow participants during #DVParty from Oct 2-Oct 7!
Follow this account or dvpit.carrd.co for all official announcements!
August 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
📣Announcing #PreDV and #DVParty!📣
Excited to bring back #PreDV & #DVParty leading up to #DVPit!
Practice your pitches during #PreDV on Mon, Sept 29, 2025!
Get to know your fellow participants during #DVParty from Oct 2-Oct 7!
Follow this account or dvpit.carrd.co for all official announcements!
Excited to bring back #PreDV & #DVParty leading up to #DVPit!
Practice your pitches during #PreDV on Mon, Sept 29, 2025!
Get to know your fellow participants during #DVParty from Oct 2-Oct 7!
Follow this account or dvpit.carrd.co for all official announcements!
I'll be on IG doing #1stlinepit this weekend with the same username. Let me know if you're there too!
August 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I'll be on IG doing #1stlinepit this weekend with the same username. Let me know if you're there too!
Reposted by Rowan Brighton Brown
COOLEST GRAPHICS:
1st: @rowanbrightonbrown.bsky.social
2nd: @KKrohnAuthor
3rd: @ztfairfax.bsky.social
Runner-Up: @juliannewrites.bsky.social
1st: @rowanbrightonbrown.bsky.social
2nd: @KKrohnAuthor
3rd: @ztfairfax.bsky.social
Runner-Up: @juliannewrites.bsky.social
August 18, 2025 at 4:25 PM
COOLEST GRAPHICS:
1st: @rowanbrightonbrown.bsky.social
2nd: @KKrohnAuthor
3rd: @ztfairfax.bsky.social
Runner-Up: @juliannewrites.bsky.social
1st: @rowanbrightonbrown.bsky.social
2nd: @KKrohnAuthor
3rd: @ztfairfax.bsky.social
Runner-Up: @juliannewrites.bsky.social
Truly shocked and honored to see this pitch nominated for the #PosterPitAwards Most Intriguing Concept, Best Graphics, Most Original Concept, and Best Character Art! This story is so close to my heart and I'm just thrilled to see it connecting with others too ♥️
With their attempts at coming out repeatedly thwarted and the attempts on their life getting more and more serious, Andy realizes they’re being stalked by their pre-transition doppelganger—and she won’t stop until she’s taken the life they thought they’d left behind
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
August 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Truly shocked and honored to see this pitch nominated for the #PosterPitAwards Most Intriguing Concept, Best Graphics, Most Original Concept, and Best Character Art! This story is so close to my heart and I'm just thrilled to see it connecting with others too ♥️
Very excited to announce that I'll be a mentor with #SmoochPit again this year! If you've written a book with romance alongside some other intriguing elements, I'd love to see your application starting Sept. 8th!
August 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Very excited to announce that I'll be a mentor with #SmoochPit again this year! If you've written a book with romance alongside some other intriguing elements, I'd love to see your application starting Sept. 8th!
With their attempts at coming out repeatedly thwarted and the attempts on their life getting more and more serious, Andy realizes they’re being stalked by their pre-transition doppelganger—and she won’t stop until she’s taken the life they thought they’d left behind
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
August 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
With their attempts at coming out repeatedly thwarted and the attempts on their life getting more and more serious, Andy realizes they’re being stalked by their pre-transition doppelganger—and she won’t stop until she’s taken the life they thought they’d left behind
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
With their attempts at coming out repeatedly thwarted and the attempts on their life getting more and more serious, Andy realizes they’re being stalked by their pre-transition doppelganger—and she won’t stop until she’s taken the life they thought they’d left behind
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
August 16, 2025 at 4:00 AM
With their attempts at coming out repeatedly thwarted and the attempts on their life getting more and more serious, Andy realizes they’re being stalked by their pre-transition doppelganger—and she won’t stop until she’s taken the life they thought they’d left behind
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
#PosterPit #YA #H #AG
DEADNAME
With their attempts at coming out repeatedly thwarted and the attempts on their life getting more and more serious, Andy realizes they’re being stalked by their pre-transition doppelganger—and she won’t stop until she’s taken the life they thought they’d left behind
#QuestPit #AG #YA
With their attempts at coming out repeatedly thwarted and the attempts on their life getting more and more serious, Andy realizes they’re being stalked by their pre-transition doppelganger—and she won’t stop until she’s taken the life they thought they’d left behind
#QuestPit #AG #YA
August 6, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The pregnant sex ed teacher is the first to fall. Then anyone who’s touched or been touched is up in flames and speaking with one voice. In the shadow of the spread, two girls must learn all they were never taught and see if you really can fight fire with fire
#QuestPit #AG #YA
#QuestPit #AG #YA
August 6, 2025 at 4:01 AM
With their attempts at coming out repeatedly thwarted and the attempts on their life getting more and more serious, Andy realizes they’re being stalked by their pre-transition doppelganger—and she won’t stop until she’s taken the life they thought they’d left behind
#QuestPit #AG #YA
#QuestPit #AG #YA
August 6, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Re-pitching my queer + trans Appalachian horror for pride ✨
"Southern inheritances are always dark—whether it's a penchant for pills, a blood-soaked family farm, or an ancient magic. Sierra spurns them all, but when her dad disappears, she must choose which monsters to slay, and which to become."
"Southern inheritances are always dark—whether it's a penchant for pills, a blood-soaked family farm, or an ancient magic. Sierra spurns them all, but when her dad disappears, she must choose which monsters to slay, and which to become."
June 3, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Re-pitching my queer + trans Appalachian horror for pride ✨
"Southern inheritances are always dark—whether it's a penchant for pills, a blood-soaked family farm, or an ancient magic. Sierra spurns them all, but when her dad disappears, she must choose which monsters to slay, and which to become."
"Southern inheritances are always dark—whether it's a penchant for pills, a blood-soaked family farm, or an ancient magic. Sierra spurns them all, but when her dad disappears, she must choose which monsters to slay, and which to become."
The Writer // The First Page
May 31, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Writer // The First Page
I'm getting DMs about my spreadsheet, so here it is again! It is fully programmed to calculate your word count, graph and color code it, and even map it onto your favorite beat sheet if you want!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
May 20, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I'm getting DMs about my spreadsheet, so here it is again! It is fully programmed to calculate your word count, graph and color code it, and even map it onto your favorite beat sheet if you want!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Day Three with this draft and I just hit 10K words! This story is just pouring out onto the page unlike any other...
May 20, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Day Three with this draft and I just hit 10K words! This story is just pouring out onto the page unlike any other...
I woke up in the middle of the night to frantically jot down a story idea, as I often do, and this time it was...good?
Watch me quote this post in a couple years when this horrifying book has fully come to fruition.
Watch me quote this post in a couple years when this horrifying book has fully come to fruition.
May 18, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I woke up in the middle of the night to frantically jot down a story idea, as I often do, and this time it was...good?
Watch me quote this post in a couple years when this horrifying book has fully come to fruition.
Watch me quote this post in a couple years when this horrifying book has fully come to fruition.
Huge congratulations!! This was the first query I edited when I started my new system for free critiques, and it looks like A. is one of about twenty people that have gotten agents after working together this year! I'm so excited to see these books on shelves one day 🥹
Maybe the best decision I made - I'd had other people look my query over, including other agented authors, but Rowan was really able to see the right way to improve it, because when I started querying again I almost immediately got my first partial request
May 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Huge congratulations!! This was the first query I edited when I started my new system for free critiques, and it looks like A. is one of about twenty people that have gotten agents after working together this year! I'm so excited to see these books on shelves one day 🥹
April 21, 2025 at 10:07 PM
So excited for my #SmoochPit mentee and her new agent!! Summer of Nightmares is an incredible book and I can't wait to put it on my shelf someday soon!
✨SOME NEWS✨
I am thrilled to announce I am now represented by @alexbrownwrites.bsky.social @madwomanliterary.bsky.social !!! Alex's love and enthusiasm for my chaotic girlies was something from my wildest dreams and I am SO EXCITED to work together on Killer Summer and my future projects as well!
I am thrilled to announce I am now represented by @alexbrownwrites.bsky.social @madwomanliterary.bsky.social !!! Alex's love and enthusiasm for my chaotic girlies was something from my wildest dreams and I am SO EXCITED to work together on Killer Summer and my future projects as well!
March 29, 2025 at 1:50 PM
So excited for my #SmoochPit mentee and her new agent!! Summer of Nightmares is an incredible book and I can't wait to put it on my shelf someday soon!