I was a nerdy 15-year-old when I marched into the local newspaper office and told the editor, “You’re going to be hiring me sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner.”  That’s how it all started. I wanted to write fiction, but I knew journalism would pay the bills. 

After four nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and writing jobs at The Miami Herald, The Washington Post and the like, I quit to write my first book, figuring it would be an instant best-seller.

My first book was rejected everywhere and it was humiliating. I was determined and persistent. I rewrote my proposal, got a new agent and then got a publishing contract with Perigee Books, which is part of Penguin Putnam.  But I hadn’t gotten past my obstacles. My book came out the day before 9/11 and my tour was canceled. But I fought so hard and turned that book into a #1 best-seller, even pushing it right into Oprah’s hands. Her endorsement launched my career as a motivational speaker, and I’ve enjoyed a great career as an author and global speaker that has been even more fun than my career as a reporter.

Now I am the best-selling author of eight non-fiction books on leadership, business and self-improvement. I’ve also published a novel and I have three screenplays just waiting for the right Hollywood director. Let me know if you know one!

I started editing 25 years ago, and I love helping writers find their voice, hone their skills and get published. After my books became successful, I continued to work with a small number of writers who aspired to turn their dreams of being published authors into reality. I want to be your coach and mentor, helping you to find your voice as a writer and grow into someone who can write a great book.