My sister gave me this biography of playwright Wendy Wasserstein for Christmas. It is a masterfully told tale of a complex woman, and a fantastic profile of what it takes to make art. I'd recommend it for anyone interseted in theater, writing, creativity and women making their way in the world.
testimonials
I've built my business by delivering personalized, focused attention and measure my results not only by my client's publishing successes (see end of page), but by their overall satisfaction with the process. Here's what some of them have to say:
"Every writer, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals, needs someone to do what they can’t do, no matter how experienced: see their own work with fresh eyes. The trick is finding someone who can then pinpoint what’s working, what isn’t and how to remedy it. For me, that person is the indefatigable, insightful, beautifully brutally honest Jennie Nash. While she never pulls punches (after all, you’re paying her not to), Jennie is always encouraging, empathetic and compassionate – not to mention spot-on. She is also quick. All this is why, even though I’ve worked in publishing, as an agent, and taught writing for decades – in fact, my book is about how to write a story -- I turned to Jennie when I wanted to get the manuscript ready to shop. We worked together every step of the way: on the manuscript (including helping me get organized enough to really focus in on it), the query letter, the proposal, and the marketing platform that helped me land the agent I wanted most, who then sold the book to a great publishing house. I couldn’t have done it without Jennie, and I can’t recommend her highly enough. She is a godsend." -- Lisa Cron, Wired for Story (Ten Speed Press, 2012.) Instructor, fiction master class, UCLA Extension Writers' Program.
"Jennie Nash went way and beyond the call of duty - with painstaking notes and incredible detail that will help me transform my memoir. Her skills at communicating the work I needed to do as well as highlighting the good work I had done was uplifting and inspiring. She knew my story better than I did in places! She was incredible. She is a goddess." -- Samantha R.
"If I ever forget or land in some dark place, you’ll have to remind me what a big giant blazing-light blessing 2007 was -- the year I lived the life of a novelist." -- Kristine B.
"You are my voice of sanity and reason!!! So much is stuff I should know and probably do deep down but it doesn't bubble up. Thank you. I may have to start calling you my secret weapon on the road to publication." -- Denise H.
"Jennie played an important role in getting my book from proposal to publication. Sometimes it was her writing coach skills I needed, other times it was her quick editing skills, occasionally I needed her to help me completely start over, but above all I appreciated her constant support, encouragement and confidence in my abilities. She helped grow my skills and confidence." -- Gwen G
"Your ability to engage and inspire is truly remarkable. You are the most amazing teacher ever. Ever!" -- Jeff B.
"You have a gift, Jennie. Thank you for sharing it with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You ROCK!!" -- Michael B.
"Thanks for all your great help and support when I was freaking out." -- Laurel O.
"You time, your knowledge and your help are worth every penny. You're amazing!" -- Agnes R.
success stories
:: Lisa Cron, signed with agent Laurie Abkemeier at DeFiore and Company. Cron's book, Wired for Story: A Writer's Guide to the Reader's Brain is due out from Ten Speed Press in 2012. Her video on the elements of story is due out from Lynda.com in 2012. Book coaching, project planning, editing, revision guidance, book proposal development, agent query, marketing guidance, script development.
:: Lisa Delong, Blood Brothers, published by Tate publishing in 2011. Project initiation, book proposal, query
:: Gwen Grabb, The 8 Keys to Anorexia Nervosa, due out from Norton Professional in 2012. Project planning, editing, revision guidance, proofreading.
:: Lee Livington, author of the memoir In the Rearview Mirror, distributed at his 50th high school reunion. Project initiation, book coaching, editing, revision guidance, book proposal development, agent query.
:: Lisa Manterfield, author of the memoir I'm Taking My Eggs and Going Home. Lisa's blog, developed to promote the book, receives 20,000 hits a month, which she parlayed into a blogging gig at Psychologytoday.com. Book coaching, revision guidance, marketing guidance, agent query.
:: Scott P, signed with top agent Betsy Lerner
:: Lee W., Fleeing the Fifties in Pink Satin Toe Shoes, memoir on her life in the ballet under review at the University of Florida Press. Project initiation, book coaching, editing, revision guidance, book proposal development, agent query.