Blog
From Workshop to The Belladonna: Caitlin Mclean's Publishing Success Story
by Writing Workshops Staff
A week ago
We love nothing more than celebrating our alumni's wins, and today we're thrilled to share Caitlin Mclean's journey from workshop participant to published humor writer!
Finding Her Voice in Humor Writing
In May 2025, Caitlin joined us for How to Write a Short Humor Piece with the incredible Caitlin Kunkel, co-founder of The Belladonna. The workshop opened up a whole new world of creative expression for her. "Your workshop was incredibly useful and helped me find a new style of writing that I enjoy," Caitlin shared with her instructor after the class.
But she didn't stop there. Committed to honing her craft, Caitlin continued her education with us, taking Getting Published in Magazines & Newspapers Even with Limited Clips in July and The Art of the First Page: Hooking Agents and Readers with literary agent Mark Owen Gottlieb in August.
The Sweet Taste of Success
Just months after completing her first workshop with us, Caitlin achieved what every writer dreams of: her first publication. And not just anywhere—her piece "A Busy Mom's Anti-Fascist To-Do List" was published on The Belladonna, the very site co-founded by her instructor.
"I thought it was cool that my first published piece was in the humor site you co-founded," Caitlin wrote to Caitlin Kunkel, clearly thrilled by the full-circle moment.
Your Turn to Find Your Voice
Caitlin's story shows what's possible when you invest in learning your craft and take action on what you learn. Whether you're interested in humor writing like Caitlin or want to explore other genres, our online creative writing workshops offer expert instruction, supportive community, and practical skills you can apply immediately to your writing. Join us and discover what you're capable of creating.
