I love helping writers succeed in your writing journey. I fight for your right to tell your story. I help you shape a strong story, and I work with you to create a plan for the world to experience your book.
I’ve been a writer since I was in seventh grade, and I completed my first (terrible!) novel in college. I’ve written 8 novels, 3 of them published. I revised one novel 17 times. That one is still unpublished. So yes, I have a thick file of rejections from editors and agents. I have writing callouses.
I know what it feels like to be in your shoes, staring at a blank page.
I also know what it looks like from the other side of the table, working with writers as an editor. I have been editor-in-chief at a magazine and I worked for years as an editor and journalist for newspapers. I helped a colleague organize and create a literary agency. I have worked with top agents and marvelous editors. I’ve also self-published books and helped others to self-publish. My novels have received significant acclaim.
How I Work:
I specialize in novel editing as a professional book coach.
I also occasionally edit select non-fiction book proposals.
You can schedule a paid one hour consult with me on any topic related to writing or publishing. No homework or pitch war required!
To do deeper work on your query or hands-on book coaching, you can hire me for a short editing session or a long-term engagement.
I’m a member of the Northwest Editors Guild
More about my professional background:
I am a novelist, long-time editor and journalist whose books have been published around the world in multiple languages — most recently the national bestseller THE EAGLE TREE, which was nominated for the PEN/Faulkner and the Washington State Book Award and was named one of the top 5 books about the autistic experience. My previous novels include COEUR D’ALENE WATERS and the acclaimed historical novel SINFUL FOLK, illustrated by New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Nikki McClure, which was nominated for the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award.
I am a contributor to many magazines and journals. My work has been published by Campanile Books, Little A, Bucknell University Press, Orchard Press, and Prospero Books in the United States. Internationally, my works have been published by Aquarius Publishing, BabbleCube, Orbis Books and Little A (UK).
I hold certificates and graduate degrees from Stanford University and the Rainier Writing Workshop, where I studied with noted literary writers David Huddle, Ann Pancake, Scott Nadelsen, Jim Heynen, Justin Cronin, Jess Walter and many more. I’ve studied philosophy, literature and theology at the Graduate Theological Union at UC Berkeley, Luther Seminary, Seattle University and Western Washington University (I went there because Annie Dillard taught there). I taught writing classes on the college level for many years.
I also worked for many years in business management and marketing for technology companies like Microsoft, Intel and Adobe. I continue to advise startup companies and tech entrepreneurs today.