Epic Patriot Camp
Some of you may know that in December 2023, I published my first book, Tales from Bethlehem. But what you may not know is that this was not my first publication.
The story of me becoming an author started in the summer of 2022, when I signed up for an online writing camp hosted by two of my favorite authors, Jenny L. Cote and Libby McNamee. This camp, Epic Patriot Camp, would forever change my life and result in me being published for the first time.
Epic Patriot Camp 2022
On June 14th, 2022, I joined a zoom with twenty-four other kids to learn about writing historical fiction, a genre that both Jenny and Libby specialize in. Together, we were going to write a novel about the year 1776, a pivotal point in American history. Each of the campers were randomly assigned a character from the Revolutionary War. The character would be either a Patriot, Loyalist, or a Frenchman. The character I got was General William Howe.
Once we received our characters, we had to write three chapters based on these prompts:
-How did the American Revolution come to my doorstep?
-How did I get involved in the American Revolution?
-What’s my story in 1776?
Throughout the next few weeks, we researched our assigned characters, drafted, edited, and wrote our three chapters. I remember submitting my final revision along with my author’s note and biography. It was nerve-wracking and incredibly exciting, because these simple chapters would become part of a published novel.
It was on September 12, 2022, when we received an exciting announcement: our book had been published! The Epic Story of 1776; 25 People, 13 Colonies, and 1 War was officially for sale on Amazon! That was the day I became a published author.
Epic Patriot Camp 2023
May 2023 came around and I had already signed up for Epic Patriot Camp 2023. This year, returning campers from 2022 and new writers were getting ready to cover the years 1777-1779 in the American Revolution.
In 2023, I got assigned the new role of Benedict Arnold, the famous turncoat. I was quite ready for the challenge of the notorious traitor. Instead of writing three chapters like last year, we had to write one long chapter.
With a lot of hard work editing, proofing, and marketing, the second book in our revolutionary saga was published. The Epic Story of 1777-1779; Trials, Turning Points, and Triumphs, is also available on Amazon.
How It Changed My Writing Journey
Epic Patriot Camp has changed me in so many ways. I’ve grown more confident as a writer, from starting out as a timid aspiring writer, to being a 3x published author. I got encouraging advice and tips from two bestselling authors, both of whom are now good friends of mine. I gained some epic friends, who inspire and cheer me on. It also pushed me to write and publish my own book! I would not be where I am in my writing life where I am now without this epic life-changing writing camp.
See you on the next page!
-Ella Quill
Epic Patriot Camps 2022 and 2023 are things no one can explain with words. Believe me. I’m a writer. So when you’re at a loss for words for once, it has to be something big.
EPC was something that changed lives from the inside out. I never realised I loved history until I participated, and had the full experience of Jenny L. Cote and Libby McNamee lighting the history-loving spark inside me.
Not only am I a 2x published author from it, but it opened the doors for me to meet many fellow writing enthusiasts such as Ella, who is now one of my very dear friends. And as a writer, having people like that in your life who can share in your joy of writing really is something special.
So THANK YOU again, for the thousandth time, Jenny and Libby! HUZZAH!!
HUZZAH for Epic Patriot Camp! As an Epic Camper myself, I cannot CANNOT say enough praise about this camp. It forever changed my life in more ways then I even know! Huzzah for being a 3x published author Ella, it’s been a delight to be published twice alongside you! <3
Words cannot express the pride that Libby and I have at watching your pens soar on your own. Our eaglets have fledged the nest! Bravo and keep soaring, my CHILDREN! 😉 Epic Love, Jenny