Overview

I'm a successful editor with a 15-year track record of identifying the best storytelling and coaching writers to their most delightful use of language. I love working with authors, helping to build and grow their careers.

I edited five books in a series called Complete and Explained for Scholastic Book Clubs' Storia e-book app. We selected documents that were on the Common Core exemplars list. These included the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, The New Colossus (poem on the Statue of Liberty), the Gettysburg Address, and the Declaration of Independence. These are docs recommended be read—and understood—by eleven- and twelve-year-olds. Even the briefest of these docs, however, are pretty dense and use archaic English, so we “translated” them. First, we included the text verbatim, then section by section, we re-wrote it, using modern language. Then we explained the context of the document and the reason the words were chosen. As an example, we explained what “we hold these truths to be self-evident” means using words today’s students understand, then we gave some background about why the writers of those words felt it was necessary to say so—that they wanted to make it clear that the rights they were claiming weren’t up for debate, but were inherent to the human race, no matter your country.

Note: Storia is a proprietary e-reading app available only to Scholastic Book Clubs teachers and schools, so the books described above are not available to the general public.

Services

Languages

Fiction

Non-Fiction

I coach writers and authors in finding their voice, honing their plot, and identifying their target audience. I offer guidance about how to appeal to agents and editors, and in working with publishers of all sizes.

I edited nonfiction picture books for toddlers, kindergartners, and first graders, as well as a short series of e-books that explained and gave context for major historical documents and speeches for upper elementary students.

I was also the editorial manager for Storia, Scholsastic's proprietary e-reading app, which means I was a curator, of sorts. I created book bundles around seasonality, topic, reading level...you name it, using my deep knowledge and understanding of children's reading habits and interests.

I selected the most exceptional, most interesting, most informative children's and teen books for inclusion on our children's audiobook list. We acquired from all major US and Canadian publishers, so I developed a high level view of the industry and an eye for what works.

Government Technology is a nationally distributed magazine the covers, as the name suggests, technology and its uses in the state and local government sector. Technology can be hard to cover for the layman, and government workings tend to be dry, so I worked with writers to craft articles that were informative and clear, but still eloquent. I ensured writers maintained the tone of the magazine without sacrificing their unique voice. And of course, I edited for accuracy, grammar, spelling, etc.

Animal Travel (Disney, Mickey Mouse Club House) (Smart Pad)

Reading and learning come to life with these interactive Smart Pads. Travel the animal world with Mickey and his gang. Press the pictures to hear fun sounds and find out cool facts.

Reading and learning come to life with these interactive Smart Pads. Travel the animal world with Mickey and his gang. Press the pictures to hear fun sounds and find out cool facts.

Princess Lessons (Sofia the First Smart Pad)

Reading and learning come to life with these interactive Smart Pads. Press the pictures to hear fun sounds and find out cool facts. And learn how to be a thoughtful royal with Sofia the First.

Reading and learning come to life with these interactive Smart Pads. Press the pictures to hear fun sounds and find out cool facts. And learn how to be a thoughtful royal with Sofia the First.

The Genetics of Health: Understand Your Genes for Better Health

Sharad P. Paul

Take charge of your health by understanding the connection between our evolutionary past and our future wellbeing with this practical guide to personalized health and nutrition—from distinguished physician Dr. Sharad Paul.Recognized as one of the best in his field, surgeon, academic, and philanthropist, Dr. Sharad Paul combines everyday health with evolutionary biology and explains how to impr... read more

Take charge of your health by understanding the connection between our evolutionary past and our future wellbeing with this practical guide to personalized health and nutrition—from distinguished physician Dr. Sharad Paul.Recognized as one of the best in his field, surgeon, academic, and philanthropist, Dr. Sharad Paul combines everyday health with evolutionary biology and explains how to impr... read more

Hopeful Healing: Essays on Managing Recovery and Surviving Addiction

Mackenzie Phillips

Actress and author of the courageous New York Times bestselling memoir High on Arrival, Mackenzie Phillips—Hollywood’s go-to person on substance abuse and a visible and outspoken advocate for addiction awareness and education—brings her knowledge and voice on the subject of recovery for the first time, and shares her experiences for those who are trying to overcome addiction.As the daughter of... read more

Actress and author of the courageous New York Times bestselling memoir High on Arrival, Mackenzie Phillips—Hollywood’s go-to person on substance abuse and a visible and outspoken advocate for addiction awareness and education—brings her knowledge and voice on the subject of recovery for the first time, and shares her experiences for those who are trying to overcome addiction.As the daughter of... read more

Color Me Buddha: Express Yourself to De-Stress Yourself

Matthew Smith

Express your inner artist while finding your inner peace as you color the intricately lush and stunning drawings by artist Matthew Smith. His motifs bring to life mythic struggles of man versus beast that will rouse your creative muse. The exquisite details Matt weaves into each of his creations reels you back to a place of solemn contemplation with images of animal strength and feminine grace... read more

Express your inner artist while finding your inner peace as you color the intricately lush and stunning drawings by artist Matthew Smith. His motifs bring to life mythic struggles of man versus beast that will rouse your creative muse. The exquisite details Matt weaves into each of his creations reels you back to a place of solemn contemplation with images of animal strength and feminine grace... read more

Negotiating New York: Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Real Estate

Joanne R. Douglas, Alfred Renna

Foreward by Barbara Corcoran, star of Shark Tank and author of Shark Tales. Siblings and top real estate duo, Joanne Renna Douglas and Alfred Renna, bring readers along on an engaging and often hilarious journey into the world of New York real estate. An accounting that is more exposé than how-to, Negotiating New York will have you glued to the page from start to finish, as you delve into the ... read more

Foreward by Barbara Corcoran, star of Shark Tank and author of Shark Tales. Siblings and top real estate duo, Joanne Renna Douglas and Alfred Renna, bring readers along on an engaging and often hilarious journey into the world of New York real estate. An accounting that is more exposé than how-to, Negotiating New York will have you glued to the page from start to finish, as you delve into the ... read more