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Alumni Spotlight: From Novel to Collection - Carol Mitchell's Journey to Akashic Books
by Writing Workshops Staff
A month ago
When accomplished novelist Carol Mitchell enrolled in our 12-Week Story Collection Draft Generator with Chaya Bhuvaneswar in 2024, she was already the author of the critically acclaimed debut novel What Start Bad a Mornin'. Now, that investment in her short fiction craft has paid remarkable dividends: her collection A Good Haunting and Other Stories has been acquired by Akashic Books for publication in fall 2026, marking another milestone in her impressive literary career.
A Major Publishing Achievement
The announcement in Publishers Marketplace signals a significant moment for Carol. A Good Haunting and Other Stories is described as "a debut collection of 10 magical realism-infused stories steeped in the traditions of Africa and the Caribbean, featuring characters grappling with grief, love, betrayal, motherhood, and ideas of home."
The collection will be published by Johnny Temple at Akashic Books, with representation by Murray Weiss at Catalyst Literary Management. This represents a world rights deal, a testament to the collection's broad appeal and Carol's growing international recognition as a writer.
Building on an Established Foundation
Carol Mitchell brings impressive credentials to her short fiction. As a Term Assistant Professor in the Department of English at George Mason University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, she combines academic expertise with creative practice. Her short stories have appeared in various Caribbean journals, and four of them have been long-listed for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize.
Additionally, Carol has authored 18 children's books, demonstrating her versatility across genres and age groups. Her 2023 debut novel, What Start Bad a Mornin', established her as a significant voice in contemporary Caribbean literature, exploring themes that clearly resonate through to her short fiction collection.
The Perfect Workshop for Collection Development
Carol's choice to enroll in Chaya Bhuvaneswar's 12-Week Story Collection Draft Generator proved strategic. The workshop's comprehensive approach was perfectly suited to someone with Carol's established writing credentials who needed to develop a cohesive collection.
The course's key learning objectives aligned with Carol's needs:
- Drafting and revising anchor stories: Learning to identify and strengthen 3-4 central pieces that would define the collection's core themes
- Generating additional stories: Developing strategies to create the remaining 4-8 stories needed for a complete collection
- Tracing thematic arcs: Understanding how to articulate the collection's overarching themes in ways that would later prove invaluable for query letters and editor discussions
- Reading collections strategically: Analyzing other successful collections with the eye of someone preparing to publish their own
Learning from a Master
Chaya Bhuvaneswar brought exceptional qualifications to her role as Carol's instructor. As a practicing physician and PEN American award finalist for her debut collection White Dancing Elephants: Stories, Chaya understands both the craft and business of short fiction. Her collection was selected as a Kirkus Reviews Best Debut Fiction and Best Short Story Collection, providing Carol with insights from someone who had successfully navigated the exact path she was pursuing.
Chaya's extensive publication record, including work in The New York Times, Salon, Narrative Magazine, Tin House, Electric Literature, Kenyon Review, and elsewhere, combined with fellowships from MacDowell, Squaw Valley/Community of Writers, and Sewanee Writers Workshop, offered Carol access to the highest level of craft instruction and industry knowledge.
From Caribbean Roots to Universal Themes
Carol describes herself as being in self-imposed exile from her Caribbean home, but this geographic distance has sharpened rather than diminished her artistic vision. Her work consistently explores the intersection of Caribbean and African traditions with contemporary themes of displacement, belonging, and identity.
The description of A Good Haunting and Other Stories as featuring "characters grappling with grief, love, betrayal, motherhood, and ideas of home" suggests stories that will resonate with readers far beyond the Caribbean diaspora, while remaining deeply rooted in specific cultural traditions.
The Magic of Magical Realism
The collection's foundation in magical realism represents a sophisticated approach to storytelling that allows Carol to explore complex themes through a lens that honors both African and Caribbean literary traditions. This genre choice enables her to address serious subjects —grief, betrayal, and the complicated nature of home —while maintaining the rich storytelling traditions of her cultural heritage.
The workshop's emphasis on understanding how to "trace the arc and themes of your collection" likely proved crucial in helping Carol articulate how magical realism serves her larger artistic vision, a skill that would have been essential during the publication process.
A Fellowship-Recognized Voice
Carol's recognition as a fellow of the Virginia Center for Creative Arts speaks to the broader literary community's acknowledgment of her talent. This fellowship, combined with her teaching position at George Mason University, positions her as both a practitioner and educator in the field of creative writing.
Her success demonstrates how workshop participation can enhance even established writers' careers, providing focused time and expert guidance to develop new projects that build on existing strengths.
The Power of Strategic Education
Carol Mitchell's story illustrates the value of strategic professional development for established writers. Rather than assuming her novel-writing success would automatically translate to short fiction, she invested in specialized instruction that addressed the unique challenges of collection development.
The workshop's focus on practical skills—from generating additional stories to preparing query materials—provided Carol with tools that clearly contributed to her collection's successful acquisition by a respected publisher.
Her journey from workshop participant to published collection author offers inspiration for other writers who recognize that continued learning and community engagement remain essential throughout one's career, regardless of previous achievements.
As A Good Haunting and Other Stories prepares for its fall 2026 publication, Carol Mitchell stands as a testament to the power of combining established talent with targeted instruction and the supportive community that workshops provide.
Ready to develop your own story collection? Learn more about our advanced writing workshops and discover how expert instruction can help you create cohesive, compelling collections that capture publishers' attention.
Follow Carol Mitchell's continued success and learn more about her debut novel What Start Bad a Mornin' while we await the publication of A Good Haunting and Other Stories in fall 2026.
