In journalism school at Northwestern, I learned the essentials for writing in any genre: how to be interesting, concise, and accurate. Though I decided not to pursue a career as a reporter, I became the resident writer wherever I worked. Over ten years in various jobs, I wrote press releases, grants, brochures, direct mail, profiles for magazines, and online content.
When my father died, I inherited stacks of legal pads on which he had written, in his sprawling cursive, the stories of his life. I edited those pages and added context, details, and more stories to create a full narrative. Published in 2017, Kill the Gringo was a finalist for the Foreword INDIES Award for Best Autobiography or Memoir.
After working as a writer in so many different ways, I knew I had found my jam with memoirs. I now work full time as a freelance ghostwriter and editor of memoirs, biographies, and other non-fiction. I am certified as an editor by Poynter in partnership with ACES: The Society for Editing.
Like any serious writer, I read enthusiastically. I review some of those books for the New York Journal of Books. Goodreads is another favorite platform for finding and reviewing books.
When I’m not writing, editing, or reading memoirs, I cook and bake for my family, take my exuberant pointer mix for long hikes, and support my kids’ various interests and responsibilities. If you also enjoy cooking, have a look at my blog, Dinner Diary.
I love helping people turn their life stories into books that sound authentically like them. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your memoir project.