“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” -Vincent van Gogh
“This career is my dream. I wanted to draw and tell stories since I was a really little kid. It didn’t seem like a real job that people could have and live off of. I gave up on creativity and left my passion behind to pursue a more realistic career - law. But I found my way back to imagination after a few years stuck behind the sad, grey walls of a cubicle. If there’s anything you take away from this talk today, know that the path toward where you want to be - where you’re supposed to be - isn’t always straight. You’re going to take a lot of detours, miss your turn, and get lost along the way. That’s part of the fun.” -Brooklyn Quintana
Florida-based author Brooklyn Quintana traveled to high schools around the Treasure Coast and talked to the students of the AVID Program (Advancement Via Individual Determination). Brooklyn discussed her career path - from her B.A. in creative writing, to working at law and finance firms, to deciding to take a big risk and pursue her dreams. Students participated in a Q & A with the author after her talk and asked about the day to day life of a professional author, why she decided corporate life wasn’t for her, and how to turn creativity into a profitable business.
Brooklyn was invited back for the second year to speak to the AVID Program students in the Treasure Coast about careers in the arts. The 2025 round of presentations focused more on Brooklyn’s career trajectory from BA in English and Creative Writing, to working at an international finance firm, to becoming a full-time author.
Brooklyn Quintana was invited to speak for an Artist Talk hosted by Martin Arts, based in Stuart, FL. During her hour lecture, the fantasy author discussed the ins and outs of the modern author’s daily life - from writing, to crafting PR pitches, to designing engaging marketing materials for both in-person events as well as social media platforms. The talk was centered around the theme of what it means to be an author in the 21st century and uncovering the lesser known intricacies of building an literary brand.