Visit my store to purchase my book on publishing basics, Your Publishing Path: A Practical Guide with Insider Tips for Bringing Your Book to Life, for youself or your loved one, plus instructions for scheduling a one-hour consultation with me to discuss any aspect of the writing or publishing process that will help move a book project forward. We can meet over Zoom or phone—or, if the recipient lives in my town, in person.
Order before December 17, 2025, to receive the book by Christmas within the continental United States. This would also make a perfect New Year’s gift.
Join me for two focused, craft-driven Zoom sessions designed to help you deepen your writing and step into 2026 with clarity, momentum, and support. On December 17, we’ll discuss theme, and on January 7, we’ll dive into writing about others.
Who was your intended audience for this book when you first conceived of it, and who do you think it is now? Did your intended audience change at all over time?
At first, I was just doing it for family members, just tracking my own history of out-of-the-box lifestyles, and writing down adventures that I didn’t want to forget. . . . Now, though, I see my audience as broader than that—any age, really. The intention of the writing is to inspire others to take risks, to be curious about life, to reconnect with a sense of innocence, and curiosity about the world and nature..
What were the benefits of workshopping Gathering with a group?
I was inspired by people's writing and by people's directness, and I felt like eventually it was a class where I could take a chance and be myself and read what I wrote. I got good feedback, and the best thing is having a group of people who are just so supportive. I like having an audience, as it turns out.
Q: I need some help clarifying how to name the parts of my book. I've Googled definitions, but when I read current and older memoirs, I'm still confused. Namely: (1) What’s the difference between Introduction, Forward, Prologue, and Author’s Note? (2) Do Acknowledgements and About the Author go in the front of the book or in the back?
I was thrilled to discuss life story and memoir writing, and an upcoming event at a meeting of the Coastal Dunes branch of the California Writers Club, with Dave Congalton of “Hometown Radio.” Photo of Dave and producer Craig Hill from KVEC’s website
New book release: What began as a packet of information for my publishing clients turned into a 168-page booklet! Your Publishing Path is for any author searching for information on publishing options, the steps of self-publishing, and practical tips for completing some of publishing’s more technical tasks.
The remainder of the email blurred, its words smearing together. The publisher was congratulating me, or rather trying to congratulate me, on the release of my latest novel, Ida’s Secrets, a 442-page historical tome about my mother’s life, her tragedies and triumphs.
But a gut punch doubled me over in my chair. I exhaled hard and refocused on the letters crawling across the screen. I attempted to shake away the feeling in my stomach. It persisted. Within seconds, a sensation of energy rose through my chest and finally settled at the base of my throat.
Q: I wrote a biography about my mother’s life. After reading it, a couple of people mentioned that certain sections of the book were difficult to read. The book does address topics like trauma and suicide because those were realities in my mother’s life. What do you think about content that could trigger some readers? Should there be some type of warning?
I’m currently wrapping up the spring semester of my life story writing classes. Thanks to a student request, for the past fifteen weeks I’ve been giving my students weekly tips for crafting more interesting and elegant sentences. Here’s the final list.
While authors may get themselves through the publishing process just fine, many of us lose steam and confidence as soon as our books are published. We’re no longer working with the writing groups, editors, designers, and publishing assistants whose help and encouragement kept us motivated and on task. Now, it’s just us, our books, and the launch we were too busy with book creation to have planned or even considered. This post about planning the perfect book launch event is for authors on all publication pathways.
Q: I’ve written the first draft of my memoir. My sister and I have been estranged for years. I know I have the right to tell my story, and yet I don’t feel good about using her real name without her permission. Do you have any ideas for how to approach her about it?
A manuscript evaluation is a roadmap to a book’s future. It can sometimes replace a developmental edit, and it provides the author constructive critique on every element of their book, including (as needed) structure, tone, consistency, voice, flow, titles, permissions, and sensitive topics. It also answers the author’s specific questions. I include publishing advice in my manuscript evaluations for authors who want it.
