Five years ago, Jaclyn Westlake was a career coach helping others land their dream jobs. Today, she’s a published novelist with a six-figure book deal—proof that reinvention is possible with research, persistence, and a willingness to learn.
Westlake’s debut novel, Dear Dotty, was published in 2024 by HarperCollins after a competitive auction. Her second book, Lucky Break, hits shelves July 15, 2025, with a third already in progress. But her path to authorship wasn’t straightforward.
The Pivot: From HR to Fiction
A former recruiter, HR manager, and career columnist, Westlake loved guiding professionals—until she decided to take her own advice. “I knew how to execute a career change,” she says. “But writing a novel? I had no idea where to start.”
Her solution? Treat the transition like a job search. She spent months researching publishing norms, manuscript word counts, and how to secure an agent. Blogs like The Shit No One Tells You About Writing and Susan Dennard’s Substack became her crash course.
- The Strategy: Education, Practice, and Patience
Skill-Building: Westlake enrolled in Stanford’s two-year Novel Writing Certificate program, valuing its structured feedback from published authors. - Real-World Experience: She wrote career articles for The Muse and Forbes, blogged about living on a boat, and weathered rejections before her first short story was published.
- Networking: Connections made at writing retreats provided support and industry insights, though she notes, “No amount of networking helps if your writing isn’t strong.”
- The Grind: Juggling Jobs and Queries
While drafting her manuscript, Westlake freelanced as a resume writer, career coach, and real estate assistant. “My husband’s full-time job helped,” she admits. “This isn’t a one-size-fits-all path.”
After completing her novel, she spent months polishing query letters—akin to job applications—and targeting agents. Nine months later, she secured representation, leading to her HarperCollins deal.
The Mindset: Never Stop Learning
“Publishing moves slowly,” Westlake says. While waiting, she outlined her second book, proving her versatility to editors. Even now, she revises relentlessly: “Flexibility separates authors who succeed from those who quit.”
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