# Michael FitzGerald

> Michael Anthony FitzGerald (1970–2023) was an American novelist, software developer and co-founder of Submittable. Based in Missoula, Montana, he helped turn a tool for literary submissions into a platform for applications and review, serving as CEO from 2010 to 2020. His novel Radiant Days appeared in 2007.

- **Role:** Novelist, software developer and entrepreneur
- **Organizations:** Submittable, Y Combinator
- **From:** Rochester, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Hobart College, MFA in Creative Writing, University of Montana
- **Known for:** Published the novel Radiant Days in 2007., Co-founded Submittable and led it as CEO for a decade., At the 2020 leadership transition, Submittable reported more than 100 team members and use by more than 11,000 organizations.

## Career timeline

- **1990s** — Lived in Budapest and edited the DIY punk zine FAT; later lived in San Francisco.
- **2000** — Earned an MFA at the University of Montana; learned programming while in graduate school.
- **2007** — Published Radiant Days with Shoemaker & Hoard, now part of Counterpoint.
- **2010** — Co-founded Submittable, originally Submishmash, with Bruce Tribbensee and John Brownell.
- **2012** — Submittable participated in Y Combinator’s Summer 2012 batch and adopted the Submittable name.
- **2017** — Submittable announced a $5 million Series A led by True Ventures.
- **2018** — Submittable appeared on the Inc. 5000; FitzGerald described the company as employing 72 people.
- **2019** — Submittable raised a $10 million Series B.
- **2020** — Stepped down as CEO in October; the announcement named him chairman of the board.
- **2023** — Died on September 4, aged 53.

## Achievements

- Published the novel Radiant Days in 2007.
- Co-founded Submittable and led it as CEO for a decade.
- At the 2020 leadership transition, Submittable reported more than 100 team members and use by more than 11,000 organizations.
- Recipient of a Fishtrap Fellowship and an Idaho Commission on the Arts Literature Fellowship.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Submittable’s updated company FAQ continues to identify FitzGerald among its three founders.
- **2026-09** — In its review of 2025, Submittable reported honoring FitzGerald’s legacy with a grant to Giving Art to Missoula. The grant itself was made in 2025.
- **2023-09** — FitzGerald died on September 4, 2023; his Missoulian obituary was published September 9.

## Links

- Website: http://www.radiantdays.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radiantdays

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-fitzgerald-submittable
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20