Here is a small selection of books and other publications written by my fabulous clients where I’ve served as a book doctor, developmental editor or writing coach. Others were written in my online course: Write to the Finish.
From Punk to Monk: A Memoir by Ray Raghunath Cappo
with a foreword by Moby.
Publisher: Mandala Publishing
I was delighted that Ray Cappo’s publisher hired me to be the developmental editor on the musician and yogi’s memoir, published in hardback in April 2024 by Mandala Publishing and distributed by Simon & Schuster.
Reviews include: “Ragunath’s transformation shows how one person’s choice to evolve can change the lives of so many. This book is real, funny, and inspirational.” — Jay Shetty, bestselling author / podcaster.
“Ray’s extraordinary journey is not only a testament to the power of principled living, but also a stirring call to be better stewards to the people around us. From Punk to Monk proves that keeping your heart and mind open can radically transform your life.” — Rich Roll, bestselling author and vegan athlete.
“Raghunath is a beloved, enlightened teacher to countless people all over the world. The compassion and expertise in which he presents his music, yoga, and podcasts—along with his personal interactions—transforms our hearts and uplifts our spirits. I am sincerely grateful that in this book he is sharing his own extraordinary life. His story is filled with adventure, wisdom, and hope.” — Radhanath Swami, author and spiritual teacher.
Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing A Trail to Self-Love
by Sydney Williams
Publisher: Mandala Publishing
I had the great joy of being the developmental editor on this wonderful and inspiring memoir and self-help book published in March 2024, hired in by the publisher, Mandala Publishing.
“Sydney is here to share her hard-won, heartfelt, and wildly entertaining lessons from the trail to help guide you toward deeper self-knowledge and peace of mind.” — Gale Straub, author of She Explores: Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild
The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher
Publisher: Harper Collins
Kristen wrote The Wig in the Window in our Write to the Finish course and I also served as her developmental editor.
“Ample red herrings keep young sleuths and engaged readers guessing in this thrilling debut mystery. Reminiscent of the ever-compelling film Rear Window, this appealing and often spine-tingling tale will leave its audience wishing for more.” Kirkus Reviews
“Kittscher’s debut novel addresses the inevitable rocky periods in middle-school friendships with perceptiveness, honesty, and well-targeted humor that avoids being cartoonish” Publishers Weekly
“A witty, weird, and wonderful book.” Kirsten Miller, New York Times bestselling author of the Kiki Strike series.
The Tiara on the Terrace by Kristen Kittscher
Publisher: Harper Collins
I had the joy of working as developmental editor on Kristen’s second book.
“An entertaining mystery featuring kids who readily outsmart all the adults; what could be better?” Kirkus Reviews
“The combination of action and reflection will keep readers engaged in the latest mystery from the Young and Yang series.” Booklist
Publisher: Apocryphile Press
After Karen told her story in her memoir, she was appointed as the first American Ambassador for the Rural Women’s Movement of South Africa. Her first duty as ambassador was to go to the United Nations to participate in hearings of the Commission on the Status of Women.
The Zen Priestess and the Snake: A Woman’s Path of Transformation and Healing through Rediscovery of the Great Mother Tradition by Zen teacher Roshi Ilia Shinko Perez.
Publisher: Sumeru Press
I had the honor of being the writing coach, developmental editor, line editor and proposal writer for this beautiful memoir.
Beyond Fear: A Woman’s Guide to Enlightenment
by Karen Chrappa
I served as developmental editor for this inspiring story
of transformation, which won Best Memoir in the
2025 New Mexico Book Awards.
Blood River Rising: The Thomson-Crimson Feud of the 1920s by Victoria Hubbell
Publisher: Iris Press
Victoria worked on her book during our Write to the Finish course and I am delighted that she won several awards while it was in manuscript form and then found an excellent publisher in Iris Press. Victoria also participated in our Marketing Course (email me for details) to promote the book, and the first printing sold out in a few weeks.
Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back From The Brink by Nita Sweeney.
I was the developmental editor for this marvelous memoir and then helped Nita write her marketing query and proposal.
The book has attracted rave reviews across the country and has become an Amazon #1 Best-Seller in its category. It was short-listed for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Award. The Dog Writers Association of America awarded the author a 2019 Maxwell Medallion for excellence for “Human-Animal Bond” writing. The book also resulted in Nita being nominated for a prestigious Ohio Arts Council Governor’s Award.
Blessing My Demons: How to Name, Tame, and Transform Your Inner Critic by Chelsea Forbrook
Published by Wise Ink
Chelsea wrote this inspiring and often very funny book in our Write to the Finish course. The positive self-talk book helps readers discover how to change negative thinking and use radical self-compassion, the Enneagram, and other wisdom traditions.
Tinderbox: One Family’s Story of Adoption, Neurodiversity, and Fierce Love by Lynn Alsup
Written in our Write to the Finish course, Lynn’s beautiful and tender memoir was published by She Writes Press.
“This narrative is a powerful reminder that anything is possible with courage, resilience, and love.” —Readers’ Favorite, Five Star Review
“Tinderbox is the book I wish had been available three decades ago when I was contemplating adopting mixed-race children damaged by early trauma, radiant with resilience, requiring every ounce of resourcefulness I could gather. (The book ) renewed my hope in the power of love to transform our deepest wounds.” Mirabai Starr, author of Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation.
Bowing to Elephants: Tales of a Travel Junkie by Mag Dimond.
Mag wrote her touching memoir in our Write to the Finish course, and later participated in our Marketing Course (email me for details) to write the proposal and query and develop her publishing plan.
The story of an unloved rich girl from San Francisco who travels the world to find herself and avoid the tragic fate of her narcissistic, alcoholic mother, the memoir was described as “A beautifully crafted memoir, weaving vivid descriptions and inner truths, suffering and celebration, into a tapestry of family revelations, love of the details of life, and worldwide adventure” by Jack Kornfield, author of No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are.
Theresa’s short story “The Cartography of Foxes” is part of her story collection that she worked on during our Write to the Finish course. This beautiful piece was first published in the literary journal Overland before being selected for the Best Australian Stories book anthology.
Robin wrote this prescriptive nonfiction / self-help book in our Write to the Finish course
From Salt to Sage by Lorraine Ciancio.
Lorraine Ciancio worked on her collection of short memoir pieces in our Write to the Finish course and took us all on a literary trip from New York to Italy to New Mexico and back.
“Brilliant detail—a potpourri of passion, sweet melancholy and the howl of summer. What else could you want? Read this book for pure delight.” Natalie Goldberg, author of the best-selling Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within.
Walking Fish by Joanne Bodin won the New Mexico Book Award in the gay/lesbian fiction category, and was a finalist in three other categories. The book was also nominated by Outskirts Press for the EVVY Awards.
I served as developmental editor for Joanne’s first drafts.
The memoir She Faces Her Enemies by Sharleen Daugherty won the 2019 James McGrath Morris Award.
Hannah wrote her memoir in our Write to the Finish course.
“I am mesmerized by Hannah’s story. When a Jewish woman can be utterly transformed by her encounter with an ancient Christian Wisdom Way, and still honor her roots, there is hope for peace on earth. Hannah Rappaport is a living example of the power of the interspiritual life. Highly recommended.” Mirabai Starr, author of GOD OF LOVE: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity & Islam.
Hand in Paw by Nancy Schluntz
Animal communicator Rev. Nancy Schluntz deserves a round of a-paws on the publication of her book Hand in Paw: A Journey of Trust.
Nancy wrote the book in our Write to the Finish course.
It was a finalist in both the National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) competition, and in the USA Best Book Awards.
Adequacy: The Heart, Poetry and Science of Contentment by Priya Vaswani looks at the spiritual and emotional way of living with simplicity and a sense of being enough and having enough.
OTHER TITLES include:
A Small, Perfect Place: A Novel of Brazil by Arnold Goldstein, written during our Write to the Finish course.
Erased No More by Yenkuei Chang. This excerpt from Yenkuei’s memoir, written during our Write to the Finish course, appeared in the September 2020 edition of the Buddhist magazine Lion’s Roar.
