What I Offer Clients

    I work with both companies and individuals, in the following ways:

    Developmental book editing, specializing in nonfiction for adults and young adults

    I help authors conceptualize, organize, and develop their manuscripts.

    For example, I helped author Tom Jacobs reorganize the structure and direction of his book on teen crime to take a fresh and more effective approach. The book shifted from a narrative account of individual crimes to an interactive format that involved the reader in evaluating and judging each case. They Broke the Law--You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime (Free Spirit Publishing, 2004) was a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist and won awards from the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association.

    On another book project, I collaborated with nationally recognized experts on conflict resolution to develop an anthology and accompanying teacher's guide to help young adults deal with cliques and peer pressure. As lead editor for the project, I selected and edited personal essays for the anthology, and helped create comprehensive writing and discussion exercises for the teacher's guide.

    As a final example, I'm currently working with a college professor under contract with McGraw-Hill to develop a book on supervision and fieldwork for undergraduate teacher education candidates.

    General book editing

    I help authors tighten and correct manuscripts. This involves editing for grammar, punctuation, style, as well as for clarity of organization and presentation.

    I also help authors repurpose books. This involves combining several published books into one volume or reorganizing the content of individual books.

    Ghostwriting

    I offer ghostwriting in both fiction and nonfiction. As one example, I'm currently assisting a psychologist in authoring a self-help book on cognitive behavioral therapy. The book recounts the author's therapeutic experiences and offers exercises and strategies to help the reader.

    Writing and editing website content

    I help organizations and individuals design and develop website content. I assisted The Fund for Social Change and the Academy for Educational Development in reorganizing and rewriting their websites.  I'm currently assisting the American College of Education in developing their online curricula for graduate students.

    Writing and editing print publications

    I am experienced in writing and editing annual reports, brochures, press releases, newsletters, resumes, academic papers, book proposals, query letters, and articles.  

    Book Projects I've Worked On

    Editor/ghostwriter, Mentoring the Undergraduate Teacher Candidate [working title], a guide for undergraduate students in teacher education programs, McGraw-Hill, 2007 [in progress].

    Ghostwriter, Crafting Solutions: A Personal Journey, A Powerful Tool [working title], a self-help book on cognitive behavioral therapy, 2007 [in progress].

    Editor, Literacy Skill Development for Students with Special Needs, National Professional Resources, 2007 [in progress].

    Editor, Partners in Healing: A Guide to Working with Traumatized Youth, Partnership for After-School Education/Mt. Sinai Adolescent Health Center, 2007 [in progress].

    Editor, Making Peace with the Past: Teens Write About Death, Grief, and Healing, Free Spirit Publishing, 2007 [pending]. Foreword by Helen Fitzgerald.

    Co-Author, A Leader's Guide to Making Peace with the Past, Free Spirit Publishing, 2007 [pending].

    Editor, The Courage to Be Yourself: True Stories by Teens About Cliques, Conflicts, and Overcoming Peer Pressure, Free Spirit Publishing, 2005.

    Editor, A Leader's Guide to The Courage to Be Yourself, Free Spirit Publishing, 2005.



    Editor, A Leader's Guide to The Kids' Guide to Working Out Conflicts, Free Spirit Publishing, 2004.

    Editor, They Broke the Law--You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime, Free Spirit Publishing, 2003.

    Editor, Fighting the Monster: Teens Write About Confronting Emotional Challenges and Getting Help, Youth Communication, 2003. Foreword by Dr. Francine Cournos.






    Editor, In The System and In The Life: A Guide to the Gay Experience in Foster Care, Youth Communication, 2002. Foreword by Dr. Gerald P. Mallon.

    Editor, The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times, Free Spirit Publishing, 2000. Foreword by Veronica Chambers.

    Co-Author, A Leader's Guide to The Struggle to Be Strong: How to Foster Resilience in Teens, Free Spirit Publishing, 2000. Foreword by Karen Pittman.

    Editor, Things Get Hectic: Teens Write About the Violence That Surrounds Them, Simon & Schuster, 1998. Foreword by Geoffrey Canada.


    Editor, The Heart Knows Something Different: Teenage Voices from the Foster Care System, Persea Books, 1996. Foreword by Jonathan Kozol.

    Editor, Out With It: Gay and Straight Teens Write About Homosexuality, Youth Communication, 1996.

    Awards

    The books and magazines I've edited have received numerous awards:

    The Courage to Be Yourself, Free Spirit Publishing

    • Selected by Working Assets as a featured book in its Recommended Reading program.

    • ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist.

    Fighting the Monster, Youth Communication

    • 2005 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers (Young Adult, Specialized Audience).

    The Heart Knows Something Different, Persea Books

    • A New York Public Library Books for the Teenage Selection, 1996.

    Represent (Foster Care Youth United)

    • Honorable Mention, 1996 Anna Quindlen Award for Excellence in Journalism in Behalf of Children and Families, Child Welfare League of America.

    • Special Citation for Meritorious Journalism, 1995 Casey Medal Awards, Casey Journalism Center for Children and Families.

    The Struggle to Be Strong, Free Spirit Publishing.

    • Outstanding Achievement in Parenting Materials, the Parent's Guide to Children's Media.

    • ALA/YALSA "Quick Pick" (From the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association. This award is given to recommended books appropriate for reluctant young adult readers.)

    • Parent Council Selection.

    • Parent's Choice Award.

    • A New York Public Library Books for the Teenage Selection, 2000.

    They Broke the Law--You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime, Free Spirit Publishing.

    • ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist.

    • ALA/YALSA "Quick Pick"

    • ALA/YALSA "Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults"

    Comments and Reviews

    Here are selected comments and reviews about my work.

    The Heart Knows Something Different

    "Readers will feel the shock of recognition that accompanies the first discovery of literary brilliance coming from a social context in which most of us...would not ordinarily expect to find it...[L]onging, terror, honesty, and eloquence combine to seize the reader's heart and mind."

                                     Jonathan Kozol, author

                                                                   Savage Inequalities and Amazing Grace

    "These are wise and eloquent authors who can teach us much about caring for 'system' children and all children."

                                                                   Marian Wright Edelman, president

                                                                   Children's Defense Fund

    The Struggle to Be Strong

    "Moving...Teens's own words stress the importance of resilience."

                                       Marian Wright Edelman, president

                                       Children's Defense Fund

    "This slim but mighty volume is a beacon of hope and good sense for young people."

                                                                   Martin E.P. Seligman, author

                                                                   Learned Optimism and The Optimistic Child

    "Steeped in the science of resiliency, this fine work offers practical strategies for helping teens beat the odds. I recommend it highly."

                                                                   Peter L. Benson, Ph.D.

                                                                   Search Institute

    Things Get Hectic: Teens Write About the Violence That Surrounds Them

    "An intensely moving collection by young people who have lived through violence and tell their stories with enormous sensitivity and unsparing candor."

                                      Jonathan Kozol, author

                                                                   Savage Inequalities and Amazing Grace

    "A startling series of testimonials about urban violence...a book more eloquent than a thousand police reports...Unheard voices crying for a hearing."

                                                                   Kirkus Reviews

    They Broke the Law--You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime

    "An excellent introduction to how juvenile justice works...a great resource for classroom and group discussions."

                                                                   Booklist

    "A refreshing and completely unique resource, and a great tool for teaching about guilt and mercy."

                                                                   Youthworker

    "An unusual and thought-provoking treatment."

                                                                   School Library Journal