Grace Hertenstein
Raised in Chicago by two writers, Grace Hertenstein grew up constantly scribbling stories and poems. Although she initially veered away from writing to explore music and other artistic pursuits, her passion for writing endured through travels, living abroad, and a diverse range of courses.
Grace earned her degree in Music History and Literary Studies from Eugene Lang at the New School. She has published ten short stories and contributed to various magazines and anthologies. She is currently seeking representation for her novella, 1994, and her novel, The Undesirables.
The Undesirables
Currently Querying:
The Undesirables is a raw and emotional coming-of-age novel set against the gritty backdrop of the late 1970s Hollywood punk scene. Phillip "Pip" Jones, a lonely fourteen-year-old, finds solace and belonging in a world of rebellious musicians, misfits, and poets after a chance encounter drags him into the underground scene. Torn between his yearning for family, a complicated love, and the magnetic pull of his new-found punk community, Pip's journey is one of self-discovery, tragic loss, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. As the scene crumbles and his friendships fracture, Pip must confront his past mistakes and rebuild his future—one that may lead him to an unexpected reconciliation and a new definition of family. The Undesirables is a story of friendship, forgiveness, and finding your place when everything else falls apart.
"I write to discover what I know."
Flannery O'Connor
Coffin Bell Journal
THE HERON AND THE GRAVEDIGGER
Grace Hertenstein's most recent published short story can be found in Coffin Bell Journal Volume 4, Issue No. 2, Labyrinths. It is a tale of haunting guilt, that hangs heavy around the protagonist's neck.
Sometimes to dig one grave, you must uncover another.