My Clients’ Books & Projects
Do I Get A Happy Ending? by Valenin Mings
DO I GET A HAPPY ENDING?
by Valentin Mings
Published by Newman Springs Publishing (September 2024)
When Valentin Mings approached me about serving as their memoir coach for Do I Get A Happy Ending?, they were living in a college dorm, working through debilitating depression. They knew they had a story to tell, but they weren’t sure how to go about writing and publishing a book. Together, we worked to expand and shape their manuscript and build a book proposal, which led to a publisher who deeply believed in their life-changing story.
From the start of our working relationship, Mings was determined to share their critical reflections with readers. I had no doubt that Mings was an outstanding writer, but I wondered how I’d be able to help a struggling college student (who lived in another state) reach the publishing finish line with a memoir.
As developmental editor, I frequently pushed Mings for more reflections and vulnerability, and they never once hesitated to expand and share. As they said many times, “I’m writing the book I always needed to read.”
Mings is, without a doubt, a debut author to watch. Their insights, thought process, and ability to view many sides of the same issue will open eyes, hearts, and discussions about the subjects and themes so many people tend to judge, dismiss, or altogether avoid. I’m honored that Valentin Mings trusted me to help bring their story to the world.
From the publisher:
“This memoir doesn't focus solely on the past; rather, it gives the reader an inside look at what the author is going through as it happens. Written almost like a journal, the author makes a point of discussing topics that society has deemed taboo or inappropriate, in hopes of starting conversations about those very same topics.
Readers are shown Valentin's unfiltered emotions as they grapple with their most vulnerable desire yet, being intimately known while trying to be a person they could've looked up to as a child. They do this by processing past traumas out loud, hoping to figure out how their life arrived at the point it did, by unpacking themes of sexual assault, depression, discovering sexualities and gender identities, alone-ness, and fitting into an unwelcoming world.
Valentin hopes to start conversations among others about the same or similar topics, forcing the taboo and controversy surrounding these topics to be dismantled one casual conversation at a time.”
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If you’ve ever asked the following questions, then you need to read memoirist Valentin Ming’s Do I Get A Happy Ending?
• Do I have what it takes to write a memoir?
• Will readers care about what I have to write?
• How do I write a memoir?
• Do I have enough life experience to write a memoir?
• Does my perspective matter?
• How old do you have to be to write a memoir?
John Martel, New York Times bestselling author of the memoir DRIVEN: Investigating Nine Decades of Stop-At-Nothing Ambition
DRIVEN
Investigating Nine Decades of Stop-at-Nothing Ambition
by New York Times bestselling author John Martel
Published by Christmas Lake Press (April 2024)
Attorney John Martel's memoir, DRIVEN, explores 92 years of relentless ambition, high-profile legal cases, and his indefatigable search for true love.
Born during the depression in rural Modesto, with no family encouragement, Martel became a college athlete, then an elite U.S. Air Force pilot, a top trial lawyer, a successful singer-songwriter, a national bestselling author, and an international Masters Track and Field high hurdling champion.
Now, at the age of ninety-two, the mystery and suspense writer invites his readers to join him in a candid investigation of his life as he tries to solve the mystery of who or what drove him to a lifetime of frenzied preeminence, in total disregard for his health and happiness.
Combining literature, law, and life lessons, Martel’s memoir reveals the heartfelt reflections of a man who achieved uncanny success in an unprecedented five totally different vocations, only to discover that he had become a victim of his success, a prisoner of his need for recognition and fame. It’s a story of manic ambition, of love lost and regained, and emotional redemption.
How did a San Francisco commercial-law trial lawyer get involved in two, high-profile, Los Angeles criminal murder cases: The Menendez Brothers’ murders and the O.J. Simpson trial? As Martel writes in Chapter 20 of DRIVEN, it began when District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Gil Garcetti, called Martel and asked if he’d be willing to come down to Los Angeles and consult with his staff on the Menendez brothers’ retrial.
After Joh Martel’s efforts to help reverse the first trial’s conclusion proved successful, he was pleased with the second trial’s verdict — and the recommendation of life without the possibility of parole.
“Gil Garcetti was both complementary and grateful,” Martel writes in DRIVEN. “I accepted his thanks and concluded our firm had served the cause of justice well, and that I was finished with the City and County of Los Angeles. But then, O.J. started killing people.”
If Martel looks vaguely familiar, fans of Comedy Central’s award-winning sketch comedy series Key & Peele (K&P) might recognize him from the show’s closing credits:
When I first met John Martel, I was a relatively new memoir writing coach, so I was shocked when he tracked me down and asked me to help him shape his latest book. Why, I wondered, would a New York Times bestselling author need my help — or anyone’s?
Not only had the publishing industry drastically changed since Martel’s last release, but he was also now 92 years old and battling Parkinson’s Disease. Martel knew this would likely be the last book he’d write, and he was determined to get it published in record time.
From our first meeting, I felt the clock ticking. We built an immediate rapport and got to work making his memoir the best it could possibly be. Then, with a complete manuscript, a book proposal, and query letter complete, we began shopping DRIVEN around.
One day, in the midst of querying and corresponding with literary agents, I was having lunch with John and his wife, Bonnie, at their home north of San Francisco when, at the end of our meal, John turned to me and said, “With your help…do you think we can get the book published within the year?”
Until that moment, I still believed that quality book publishing remained, unfortunately, a maddeningly long process — but John (and his driven nature) changed everything. When I thought about how John had started the book (in his 90s!) during the pandemic… and how he’d actively and willingly sought a developmental editor to refine his draft… and that he’d not only accepted my editorial recommendations and suggestions but also quickly and seamlessly incorporated them into his manuscript — all while managing Parkinson’s — I decided I’d do all I could to get him to the publishing finish line NOW.
I had a hunch that Christmas Lake Press would be the ideal publisher to honor John and his epic life story — but I had no idea how hard they’d work to ensure John’s publication wish came true. DRIVEN hits bookstores in hardcover in May of 2024.
While it’s been a privilege working as John’s developmental editor, memoir writing coach, and literary agent — my new favorite title is FRIEND OF PUBLISHED MEMOIRIST JOHN MARTEL.
What People Are Saying…
“Extraordinary writer John Martel is back with a must-read memoir—the capstone to his astonishing career.”
—John Lescroart, New York Times best-selling author
”As an attorney, I stand in awe of John Martel’s legendary accomplishments in the courtroom, and as the author of a legal thriller, I appreciate his commitment to the craft. It’s no surprise that his memoir is a page-turner, powered by the intense energy and unstoppable drive he has brought to every aspect of his remarkable life.”
—Brian Cuban, attorney, author of The Addicted Lawyer, Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow & Redemption and The Ambulance Chaser, and addiction recovery advocate
John Martel, author of the memoir DRIVEN: Investigating Nine Decades of Stop-at-Nothing Ambition (Christmas Lake Press, April 2024)
Click here for more on Women, Intersectionality, and Power in Group Psychotherapy Leadership
WOMEN, INTERSECTIONALITY, AND POWER IN
GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY LEADERSHIP
by Yoon Im Kane, Saralyn M. Masselink, Annie C. Weiss
Published by Routledge (September 2021)
I was honored to provide writing coaching for one of the contributors to Women, Intersectionality, and Power in Group Psychotherapy Leadership.
Here’s a description from the publisher’s website:
“This ground-breaking book presents multifaceted perspectives to examine assumptions about gender, intersecting identities, and power that impact women’s experience as group psychotherapy leaders, mentors, and educators.
Leaders in the field discuss the theories, training, personal experience, mentorship, and clinical work that empower women group psychotherapists beyond the limits of traditional technique and practice. Chapters boldly investigate theoretical, cultural, and personal paradigms, and explore themes of intersectionality, gender-role identity, and hidden bias. The authors challenge embedded societal norms to encourage deeper gender and cultural intelligence in group psychotherapy leadership.
This text provides guidance and clinical wisdom that will inspire, scaffold, and embolden contemporary group psychotherapy leadership.”
Published by Routledge; 1st edition September 30, 2021
Click here for more on Baptized By Love: How I Found Present Joy And Never Let It Go by Danét Palmer
BAPTIZED BY LOVE
How I Found Present Joy and Never Let It Go
By Danét Palmer
Published by Mandala Tree Press (May 2022)
Author Danét Palmer is a wonder, and her memoir debuted as a #1 New Release in Amazon’s Popular Experimental Psychology genre.
When Palmer first approached me with a complete manuscript in need of a second set of eyes, she’d already decided that her self-help book felt more like a memoir in need of reshaping.
Over the next several months, we explored her manuscript’s themes, connections, and key takeaways, fine-tuning the narrative and marveling over its universal messages of heartfulness, healing, and hope.
Sometimes Danét emailed me scenes and I’d send her my feedback. Other times, meeting over Zoom, she’d read me passages to get my immediate reaction. Still other times, we’d discuss the best ways to address particular scenes, and then she’d go off and write her heart out.
From the start, our collaboration was built on openness, trust, and positivity. She, like me, always believed she’d get her book published. She never lost faith that she’d reach the publishing finish line, nor did I.
Baptized by Love: How I Found Present Joy And Never Let It Go begins at the lowest moment of Danét’s life, then follows her as she puts the shattered pieces back together.
Have you ever needed a second chance? Wondered what radical acceptance looks like? Hoped to learn from someone who’s learned to love themself? Let Danét’s honest, gentle approach guide you through her remarkable journey from utter hopelessness to unquestionable wholeness.
Published by Mandala Tree Press, March 15, 2022
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