Like many extroverted, creative souls, as a kid teachers and parents constantly told me to “stop talking.” I figured out early on that it was better to stay quiet than to deal with the consequences of yet another teacher noting, “Amy talks too much.” Then, in college, I took a Creative Writing class where we had to workshop our stories. I was terrified by I shared my story, and in my memory, it didn't go well. What little confidence I had, left.

It wasn’t until mid-life that I reconnected with the creative pull to write. I figured out the tech pieces and built a little blog. I remember pacing the room, my hands shaking and tears streaming, before I published that first post titled, “OMG! I’m writing a novel.” The terror that someone would read it battled with terror that nobody would. Fear of staying silent ultimately won, and I hit publish. I did the scary thing and shared my words, publishing random musings twice a week for several years. Despite my deep-seated childhood fears, I didn’t die. Instead, I found my voice and the power of sharing our creative work. At the same time, I wrote my first two books and even landed a fancy NY agent, though I ultimately self-published all four of my books.

I am now privileged to help others overcome that fear and doubt, find their voice and craft books that resonate and connect with their audience. It took until mid-life to learn that it is possible to tackle hard things, to learn what we need to, to trust our own processes, and to banish the imposter so that we can finally follow our dreams, share our messages, and publish books that matter.

I had published several novels when a dear friend reached out. “I wrote a memoir but I don’t know what I’m doing,” she said. “You’re a writer and a teacher, and I love your books. Can you help me with mine?”

She sent me her transcript, and I dove in. I ended up writing a 25 page single spaced editorial letter which launched us on months of revisions and discussions. At that point, I didn’t have an official framework for the work that we did together, so I listened, asked questions, and helped her shape her ideas and write the scenes that got to the point she wanted to make. As we worked, I discovered the whole world of book coaching. Since this first client, I have helped many others craft, pitch, and publish their books, the books that share the message they want to get out into the world.

Five years after that original phone call, I asked her about her book which she had decided not to publish for various reasons. “I’m ready to get back to it,” she said. “For my grandchildren. This isn’t for the world to read. It’s for my family. It’s my legacy.” Every book has its place, an impact it will make with a reader. That impact may be to grow a business or it may be to connect a grandchild with her grandmother. This is the beauty of the work that I do - every writer gets to decide, and I’ll help them get there.