That feeling carried her from her earliest days in kindergarten through graduation; at Ellis, she felt immersed in a world that valued curiosity, creativity, and voice. “Ellis was uniquely supportive and warm, while still being challenging,” she said. “That combination is something I’ve tried to find and create ever since.”

After earning her degree in English and French from Duke University, Rachel dove into the publishing world, taking on roles as a bookseller, publicist, and eventually, a literary agent. Each step deepened her understanding of how stories move through the world.

In 2019, she founded Courage Literary, an agency representing authors whose work, as she puts it, “makes the world better, smarter, and more interesting.” Her client list includes both fiction and nonfiction writers—mostly women—whose voices reflect curiosity, empathy, and courage.

After years of helping other writers bring their books into the world, Rachel decided to take the leap herself. “During the pandemic, I realized ‘this is it, we only get one life,’” she said. “I’d spent so long helping others publish that I finally thought, why not me?”

Her debut young adult thriller, Nothing Bad Happens Here, explores darker themes of mystery and identity, while her latest novel, Murder by Cheesecake, brings beloved TV icons back to life in the first-ever Golden Girls cozy mystery.

I credit much of my confidence as a writer to the demanding but nurturing teachers I had in Upper School. My English teachers, Dr. Greco and Dr. Free, were particularly formative. Dr. Greco had us write in-class essays all the time—handwritten, timed, and intense. It desensitized me to the nerves of producing strong work quickly, and it’s a skill I use constantly as a writer on deadline. By the time I got to Duke, I wasn’t intimidated by college-level writing because Ellis had already prepared me.

Beyond academics, Ellis sparked my love for the arts and performance. I have such fond memories of being in school plays, the 8th-grade musical Pirates of Penzance, and drama classes with Mr. Altman. Storytelling was everywhere at Ellis—on the stage, in speech class, in art and history. We were always encouraged to be creative.

That blend of rigor and creativity has stayed with me throughout my life and career.

They have all connected through my love of books and communication. Reading is often solitary, but there’s so much community around sharing what you love. I’m always excited to talk about books with people—to hear what moved them or what characters they connected with.

All those roles—agent, publicist, bookseller—taught me different sides of the same world. As an agent, I get to help authors develop and sell their work. As a publicist, I learned how to reach readers. And as an author, I now understand how vulnerable and thrilling it is to have your own story out there.

I thought I’d be calm about publishing my own book since I’d helped so many others through it, but it turned out to be deeply personal and nerve-wracking! Still, it’s incredibly rewarding.

I wanted to work on projects that bring something good into the world. I represent primarily women authors across both fiction and nonfiction, seeking books that are not only entertaining but also meaningful—stories that guide someone through a difficult time, teach a new skill, or offer a fresh perspective on an important issue. I love books that leave readers changed for the better—whether that’s through joy, knowledge, or empathy.

On the nonfiction side, I’m proud to represent works like Unlearning Silence by Elaine Lin Hering, which explores when to speak up, when to listen, and how we sometimes silence others without realizing it. It’s thoughtful, empowering, and nuanced—exactly the kind of book I’m drawn to.

In fiction, I gravitate toward novels that combine entertainment with substance. One of my clients, Sara Herchenroether, wrote The Night Flowers, a literary mystery about a breast cancer survivor, inspired by Sara’s own experience with cancer. That authenticity is what makes a story resonate.

Littsburgh is our labor of love! When we moved back to Pittsburgh from New York about ten years ago, we saw this incredible literary community that was a little fragmented. Unless you already knew the right people or bookstores, it was hard to see the whole picture.

So we created Littsburgh as a central hub to celebrate local authors, bookstores, libraries, and events. It’s completely volunteer-run—no grants or funding, just passion for connecting readers and writers.

Now, ten years later, we have readers in all 50 states, and even editors and agents in New York follow us to see what’s happening here. It’s so fulfilling to see Pittsburgh’s literary scene thriving, with new bookstores, new writers, and a real sense of connection.

Nothing Bad Happens Here started out as a lighthearted children’s book and evolved into a darker Young Adult thriller about a Pittsburgh girl who spends an unforgettable summer in Nantucket. I worked on it off-and-on for ten years before it was published, and was deeply inspired by nautical myths and feminist themes.

Next came Murder by Cheesecake, which is the first-ever Golden Girls cozy mystery. It’s such a dream project for me—I was already a huge fan of the show. I auditioned by writing about twenty pages, and after some revisions, I got the job.

The book is set in the late 1980s in Miami and follows the Golden Girls as they try to solve a murder that happens during a St. Olaf–style wedding. It’s full of humor, friendship, and nostalgia—and there’s even a cheesecake recipe at the end that I developed with my mom, Sandy Ekstrom, who many Ellis alums might remember from Lower School life sciences.

There are also a few “Ellis Easter eggs” hidden in both books, so alumnae will have to keep an eye out for them!

What paths in publishing or writing do you think are most exciting right now, and what advice would you give to Ellis students or young alumnae interested in those fields?

Publishing is so much more open and accessible now. It’s not just based in New York anymore, and there are so many ways to get involved—editing, marketing, design, sales, publicity. Be open to where you start; once you are in, you’ll discover what you love most.

For those who want to write—start now. Read constantly, write as much as you can, and do not wait for the perfect moment. There are so many paths to publishing today. Traditional publishing takes time, but it’s rewarding, and I’m always happy to talk with Ellis students or alums about the process.  Most of all, trust your voice. If you have something to say, it’s worth the effort to put it into words. The world needs more Ellis voices right now.

Oh, so many memories! I’ll never forget dissecting squid in my mom’s fourth-grade life sciences class—and then writing our names in squid ink. It was messy and hilarious, and it’s something everyone from that era still talks about when I see them. I also loved performing in Pirates of Penzance in eighth grade, the laughter and antics of our senior year, and even our “Philosophy Club,” which once hosted a Halloween party themed around George Orwell’s 1984.  We are an expressive, spirited bunch—Ellis gave us room to be curious, goofy, ambitious, and kind all at once.

The bonds I formed with my Class of 1998 remain strong today. When I had my daughter at 45, my Ellis friends showed up for me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. Those friendships—and the values behind them—continue to shape my approach to storytelling and leadership. Ellis girls are well-rounded: athletes, actors, artists, writers. We were taught to explore, question, and connect—and those lessons show up in everything I do.