“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
Roald Dahl
Agent Information
I’m excited for the opportunity to help other authors find a path to publication!
For my official information on Storm Literary Agency’s website, you can go here.
Writing, Editing, & Polishing
Pitching . . . From Elevators to Twitter
I apologize in advance for the length of this post. But . . .
Plot and Structure . . . Scientific Formula or Witches Brew?
As a scientist, I became used to the idea of formulas. It was better if things didn’t die or blow up.
Helpful Hints & Advice For Writers…
If you’re a writer like me, there are a lot of things to learn: craft, etiquette, the publishing industry, etc. When I was starting out,
Recent News
Critique Partners: Get the Most Out of Editing
Becoming a critique partner will not only let you help out another writer, it’ll help you get better at critiquing your own work. The higher level writing you submit, the higher level of revision you’ll be able to accomplish with…
Getting Back Edits: How to Beat Revision Blues
First, see the positive. You don’t have to change anything. Never force edits on yourself. Wait until you’re ready to face them. One of the main things that gets me down as a writer is getting back edits and having…
Introducing…Literary Agent, Heather Cashman!
I’m now a Literary Agent with Storm Literary Agency!
Way-Word Journey #10: Writers Anonymous (The Power of Support)
Writing had become an addiction, and rejection made it a downer. If I didn’t write, I was depressed. If I did write and got rejected, I was depressed. There was no winning this thing. I stopped telling people I wrote…
Making Sandwiches: The Perfect Critique Method for Writers
I’ve learned many things over the years after collaborating both personally and professionally with hundreds of authors. What we need most is support and a leg up. Whether paying or trading or gifting advice, there are things you should always…
The Best Villain for Your Main Character
So, you might ask, how would I get into the mind of a villain? While many of us don’t want to admit it, sometimes we are the antagonist. Think of a time when you’ve been hurt by someone. It could…
Notes from Clients…
Kara McDowell, Published Just for Clicks with Amberjack Publishing (February 19, 2019), a Barnes & Noble Top Ten Indie Pick for 2019
Working with Heather changed my writing life. Prior to her mentorship in Pitch Wars, I had received dozens of full manuscript requests that all ended in rejection. Shortly after implementing her insightful feedback and detailed line edits, I signed with a literary agent who remarked that my manuscript was one of the cleanest she’d even seen. When my book sold, my publisher and editor made similar comments. I truly believe my book would not have sold without Heather’s help. And not only were Heather’s notes helpful on my debut novel, but also, I’ve been able to apply her advice to future projects at every stage, from brainstorming to line edits. I wholeheartedly recommend hiring Heather to any writer who is seeking to improve.
Elizabeth Chatsworth, Represented by Natalie Grazian at Martin Literary Management
Since I first connected with [Heather] in July, my novel THE BRASS QUEEN has improved by leaps and bounds. [Her] initial insight into how to approach the first chapter led to structural changes and edits throughout the MS. [Her] perspective helped me to see the novel with fresh eyes, and an editing mindset that served through Pitch Wars and beyond. Three months later, I have some exciting news to share. I’ve received an offer of representation from a literary agent!
Amanda Sellet, Represented by Bridget Smith at Dunham Lit
“Heather is a writer’s dream editor: clear, thorough, and insightful. She understands what your book is trying to do, and can articulate exactly where intention falls short of reality. I found her suggestions for revision incredibly helpful and inspiring – the kind of ideas that make you excited to get back to work, even when it feels like you can’t possibly rewrite one more scene. I recommend her highly to writers at all stages of the game.”
Jocelyn Rish
Heather was one of my #pitchmadness mentors, and she’s amazing! Even though she only read my first chapter, she identified two bad habits that infected the entire novel. With her feedback, I was able to make changes that strengthened not only my story but also my writing in general. You definitely want her editorial services!
Sasha Smith, Represented by Hillary Jacobson at ICM Partners
From line-edits to big-picture vision, Heather’s guidance is indispensable. She has a special talent for asking the right questions for large-scale story development, and her line-edits completely changed the way I think about paragraph and sentence structure. Her guidance sharpened and shaped my manuscript into something worth querying. Within one week I had multiple offers of representation, something that I truly believe would never have happened without Heather’s editorial input.
Kristin Walters, Represented by Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Literary Agency
Heather was my mentor in the Pitch Wars contest. She is a skilled editor and a straight shooter, and her comments and advice made my manuscript much stronger. She also knows a lot about the industry and helped me improve my query and pitch. When querying my novel, I had a great request rate from agents (and ultimately multiple offers), and I know Heather’s copious talents helped make that happen. I highly recommend her editorial services!
Stacy Choi
Heather’s edits were amazing. She gave clear and insightful feedback with excellent, idea inspiring suggestions. I couldn’t wait to dive back into my manuscript the moment I read her notes. Her ability to hone in on what my synopsis needed and what I should cut was stellar. With Heather’s feedback, I was able to polish pages and work my synopsis into something I am proud to submit to an agent. If you are considering hiring Heather, do it!