by Writing Workshops Staff
6 days ago
When L.L. Madrid joined our Write Your Novel in 6 Weeks Zoom workshop with instructor Dana De Greff, she carried with her years of short story experience and a dream that felt both urgent and distant. What she discovered in those six weeks would ultimately lead to her debut novel, My Lips, Her Voice, hitting shelves on October 14, 2025.
The Power of Showing Up
L.L.'s journey to publication embodies one of the most valuable lessons she learned in our workshop: "Writing is more than waiting for inspiration, it's showing up even when you don't feel like it, even if it's only to write one sentence, because those sentences add up!" This philosophy of persistence would prove crucial as she navigated the long road from workshop participant to published novelist.
"Since participating in the novel workshop, I've continued writing and rewriting until I had a manuscript ready for submission, and eventually, I landed a publishing deal! It took years of writing to get to this point. I continually remind myself that the publishing journey is all about persistence. So, I do my best to keep going and show up."
Finding Her Tribe
One of the most transformative aspects of L.L.'s workshop experience was discovering the power of the writing community. "My writing community is a vital source of inspiration for me," she explains. "Writing is a solitary pursuit, but being a part of a community reminds me I'm not alone."
The workshop provided more than just craft instruction—it offered something equally precious: the belief that publication was possible. "I didn't truly believe I'd get a book deal until my first writing friend got one. Knowing a published author made the dream seem attainable."
This sense of community extended beyond the workshop itself. "I've met many writers online, often in workshops. Classes not only help in developing new skills but also offer the chance to connect with writers at all stages of their creative journeys."
The Structure That Sparks Creativity
Working with instructor Dana De Greff in our six-week intensive, L.L. discovered the magic of structured accountability. "During my time in class I was so much more productive than before. Having a set time to meet and deadlines were so helpful in maintaining momentum. I also loved getting to know the others in the class and watching their progress as well."
Dana's approach proved particularly inspiring for L.L., who describes her instructor as "kind and inspiring. This class kept me motivated to continue working on my novel long after the class was over." This sustained motivation would prove crucial as L.L. continued developing her manuscript through multiple drafts over several years.
Dark Stories About Misfits
L.L. Madrid, who lives in Tucson, has built her writing career around what she calls "dark, moody stories about misfits." Her work straddles genres, "blurring the lines between horror and literary, YA and adult." This unique voice has earned her recognition including the HWA's Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship, and she's a member of the Bi+ Book Gang, a Pitch Wars alum, and an Odyssey Writing Workshop graduate.
"I've been enjoying the resurgence of the dystopian genre and the fresh takes on horror that has been coming out recently," L.L. shares. "I work through a lot of my own fears and anxieties by writing, and currently I've been drawn to writing broken worlds and the people who set out to change them. While I explore dark topics, I seek out the light and do my best to offer glimmers of hope."
My Lips, Her Voice: A Desert Gothic Masterpiece
L.L.'s debut novel, My Lips, Her Voice, exemplifies her talent for finding light within darkness. Set in the fictional mining town of Copper City, the novel follows Audrey and her deceased sister Mara's spirit as they investigate a series of disappearances that echo their family's haunted past.
The book has garnered impressive early praise from established authors. Nova Ren Suma, New York Times bestselling author of The Walls Around Us, calls it "deeply immersive, exhilarating, and unflinching in the face of terror," while Alisa Alering, author of Smothermoss, describes it as "the ultimate insider's tour of an Arizona ghost town haunted by missing girls and murdered miners."
Critics are praising L.L.'s ability to weave together "fierce teenage relationships, ghost possession, and psychic visions into a harrowing tale that's literally about finding and claiming your own voice." The novel represents what River K. Scott calls "a desert gothic that clings to you like sand," featuring "spectral vengeance collides with feminist resilience" and "a queer love story that thirsts for justice."
Available for Early Review
For industry professionals and reviewers, My Lips, Her Voice is currently available on NetGalley ahead of its October 14, 2025, publication date. The novel promises to be a standout debut in the horror genre, offering what Jamie Pacton calls "a twisty tale of dangerous mines, all-too-human monsters, vengeful ghosts, lost sapphic loves, and family secrets."
Building a Writing Life
Beyond her debut novel, L.L. maintains an active presence in the writing community. You can follow her journey on Instagram, read her Substack newsletter, or visit her author website.
Her short stories continue to appear across various online publications, and she's currently working on new projects that explore "broken worlds and the people who set out to change them."
The Lesson That Changed Everything
When asked about the most valuable lesson from our workshop, L.L. returns to that fundamental truth about consistency: writing is about showing up, even when inspiration feels distant. Combined with the accountability structure and community support our workshop provided, this approach transformed her from a short story writer with a dream into a debut novelist with a publishing deal.
L.L.'s story demonstrates what's possible when talent meets structure, community, and persistence. Her journey from our six-week workshop to a major publishing deal proves that sometimes the most powerful magic isn't waiting for inspiration—it's showing up, sentence by sentence, until those sentences become a book.
Interested in following L.L.'s path? Our upcoming fiction workshops continue to help writers develop their manuscripts with structured guidance and supportive community. Learn more about our novel-writing workshops and discover how the right combination of craft instruction and accountability can transform your writing practice.
Pre-order My Lips, Her Voice now, or request it for review on NetGalley.
