Writing Proposals, Drafting Legislation & Creating Author Platform with Social Change

We are so thrilled to talk with Monica Hall and her agent, Kat Kerr! We met Monica for the first time when, during one of our live events, she shared her agent news—and we just had to hear the full story. From drafting legislation to writing a full manuscript, she’s here to share everything she learned along the way. If you, personally, aren’t affected by student loans, you definitely know someone who is. Monica is the hero trying to make their repayment terms a little fairer. We love this happy, fun, hopeful story. Tune in! Monica on Twitter: @Monica_M_Hall Kat on Twitter: @thekatsmews In 2009, Monica Hall decided to go back to college in order to further her nursing education. Instead of graduating with her registered nursing degree, she received an impromptu education on the ins and outs of drafting and passing legislation. Once the nursing program she was attending was closed, many unscrupulous practices were discovered by the Attorney General within the college she was attending as well as other for profit colleges throughout Kentucky. Once finding out that she wasn’t the only one to have a horrible experience at a for profit college in her state, Monica rolled up her sleeves and worked tirelessly alongside lawmakers in Kentucky to find a better way to regulate the for profit college industry in the Commonwealth. Despite knowing she had $10 to her name while sitting in meetings with multi-millionaires, Monica always felt she was supposed to be there. As she made a place for herself at the table, she began to feel as though she was the voice for all people in the world like her-those without the privilege of power, platform, or money, who deserved to be heard. Monica Hall is a travel licensed practical nurse who is currently on assignment in the western part of the U.S. with her rockstar husband and their adorable fur baby, Bella. When she's not writing you can find her watching all things Golden State Warriors, binge watching Law and Order:Criminal Intent, jamming out to old-school hip-hop, or researching the next state to go sightseeing in. Kat Kerr joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2019. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in English in 2009 and is drawn to literary and commercial voices within the adult and YA markets, as well as adult nonfiction. Kat feels strongly about supporting programs like We Need Diverse Books and is passionate about creating space in this industry for those from historically marginalized communities. She is actively seeking to grow her client list and is particularly hungry for magical realism, literary leaning speculative and science fiction, women’s fiction, YA works with a lot of heart, and narrative nonfiction with something to say.