Twenty five years ago, I was struggling to become a published author. There were no critique groups where I lived, no internet and no clue (except my subscription to Publisher’s Weekly) how to go about getting a book published. Even after my first novel was accepted, and even with an agent, I had so many questions and so much confusion about the industry…I wished there was just someone I could talk to…to try and find my way.

Now I've published fourteen books and times have changed. Prospective writers are much more savvy and connected. But I still find a lot of people with a lot of questions, both about the technical aspects of writing, and the maze of techniques required to go from would-be writer to author.

Fifteen years ago I started teaching writing classes and found my true calling. Even more than writing itself, I love helping and mentoring writers. I moved from five week classes to an ongoing workshop in Fort Lauderdale, where I could work with writers for as long as it took - sometimes years - to get that first book into print. My one workshop expanded to two, and I started working with manuscripts from writers all over the country, critiquing, advising, sometimes just pulling out the old pep talk. I’m now so proud to say that 27 of the people I’ve worked with have become published authors.

I get so much satisfaction from helping a manuscript go from good to great, helping someone figure out how to do a cover or query letter — or even the dreaded synopsis — and how to follow up on submissions the right way.

If you know you have talent, but you’re collecting too many rejection slips, maybe we can work together. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a writer’s dreams come true.