Lauren is a community organizer in Texas and New Mexico. She’s passionate about supporting authors, books, writing communities, and local bookstores. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her partner Orlando and their tuxedo cat Apollonia.
Contact Lauren at: hello@laurenoertel.com
I am an Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) Affiliate, certified to lead workshops in the AWA method as described in Writing Alone and With Others by Pat Schneider, Oxford University Press.
Free Writing Workshop - November 3, 2024
I also offer help with submitting writing for publication.
Do you write poetry, short stories, or short nonfiction/essays? Are you daunted or frustrated by the submission process to get your writing published? I can help!
Client testimonials:
"It has been great working with Lauren to get my poems submitted. We received the first acceptance within two months, and I'm now up to 13 poems accepted/published. I recommend this service if you are intimidated or overwhelmed by the literary journal submissions process." -Rip U.
“Lauren has been an incredible mentor and a huge help with my journey as a writer. From her gifted editing skills and support with submissions, to the magical AWA writing workshops, I have learned so much and truly loved these enriching opportunities.” -Bria D.
“My writing group referred me to Lauren, and I feel so lucky they did! She knows what it takes to polish a piece so it’s ready to submit. She gave wonderful guidance on the submission process, and together, we targeted the journals that seemed to be a good fit based on her insight and research. The best part was that, within a week, I received an acceptance! The glee, the glee! I plan to continue working with Lauren when I have stories in need of her expert TLC, and can’t thank her enough.” -Ondine K.
Lauren O. Reads & Writes
This free monthly newsletter for readers and writers includes a local bookstore feature, book recommendations, book giveaways, and more.
PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS
The poem
“What the Mind Creates” in The Ravens Perch
The poem
“I Don’t Think About Them” won first prize in the 2021 MONO. poetry contest
Readers Write short nonfiction pieces
April 2022 “Concerts”
January 2021 “Distance”
October 2020 “My Country”
The short story
“The Neighbor” was named one of the winners of the 2021 Writer’s Digest Short Story Competition.
The short story
"Bread and Roses" in the Evening Street Review, issue #36
2022 MCWC contest win: 3rd place in poetry
2023 MCWC contest win: 2nd place in poetry
The poem
“Remember Me” in The Bluebird Word
The short story
“The Middle of Your Texas Prison Sentence”
The poems
“Before They Were Mine, but They Were Never Really Mine” and
“Post-NAFTA Land Crossing” in Issue 10 of Empyrean Literary Magazine, 2024
The poem
“How to Confront Noisy Neighbors“ in Steam Ticket, volume #26 (p. 106)
Freedom House Interview with KB Brookins in Bridge Eight Press
The short story
“The Neighbor” was named a finalist for the 2023 Prime Number Magazine Awards for Poetry & Short Fiction.
The short story
“The Neighbor” was named an honorable mention in the Gemini Magazine 2023 Short Story Contest and is now published.
The poem
“Long Sentence” in Last Stanza Poetry Journal, issue #14
The short story
“A Beautiful Venue” in the 2023 Halloween issue of Mystic Owl Magazine
In the Works
My second novel
Poetry collections/chapbooks (including collaborations)
Short stories, possibly a collection
