Hi, I’m Jessica!

You don’t need to wonder if your story matters.

If you’ve felt the pull to write a memoir, it’s there for a reason.

But somewhere between the first draft and the finished book, many writers get stuck—unsure how to shape their experiences into something meaningful, readable, and complete.

That’s where I come in.

I’m a book coach and story strategist who helps memoir writers transform their lived experiences into publishable books—with clarity, confidence, accountability and transformational feedback.

My work goes beyond helping you write.

I help you understand your story.

Because in memoir, there’s what happened…

…and then there’s what it means.

And it’s that deeper layer—the internal story—that turns a collection of experiences into something powerful, resonant, and worth reading.

Once you uncover the heart of your story, everything else begins to fall into place.

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

When you work with me, you’re not doing this alone.

You’ll have a true partner—someone who can walk alongside you through the highs and lows of writing a book, helping you stay grounded, focused, and moving forward.

My clients have gone on to:

  • Sign with literary agents

  • Publish with Big Five publishers

  • Self-publish and bring their stories to life independently

  • Explore hybrid publishing paths

There’s no one “right” way to publish a memoir.

My role is to help you find your path—and support you from memory to finished manuscript.

I believe true stories can foster empathy and connection. They can inspire and motivate. And for those who have the courage to tell them, they can heal and even empower. 

Poet Muriel Rukeyser once asked and answered inside a poem — 

“What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life?

The world would split open.” 

Let’s split the world open, shall we? 

FUN FACTS

Number One

I grew up on a wheat farm eight miles outside of a town of 700 people, and I drove a John Deere Combine every harvest from ten years old until I was 35. 

Number Two

At 18, I left my family’s farm in the Middle of Nowhere, Oregon and moved to downtown Los Angeles to chase a dream of working in fashion (I clearly didn’t stick with that path!)

Number Three

I’ve traveled in over 30 countries and lived in three, including the two years I spent teaching English in Thailand and China. 

Number Four

I love the outdoors. I do my best writing and thinking while hiking solo in the woods. I’ve scaled mountains and rock faces alike. I’m also a proud mama who’s married to my best friend and favorite adventure partner. We call the volcano-land of Bend, Oregon home 🩷

A Brief Timeline of How I Got Here

After earning a B.A. in journalism, my first job outside of the farm was working as a publicity associate for some big-name authors, including Garth Stein, Heidi Durrow and Jamie Ford.

But I had the itch.

So I followed my heart and moved to Asia. I taught English as a foreign language in Thailand and China, and backpacked all over Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and India alone.

I loved teaching so much that after two years abroad, I moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to earn a master's degree in creative nonfiction. Among several other teaching and tutoring positions, I taught freshman composition while I was there.

While in grad school, I founded a company helping people achieve their dream of teaching English overseas. I partnered with agencies all around the globe and helped hundreds of likeminded adventurers achieve their goal until…

Covid.  

When the pandemic shuttered all the borders and put me out of business, I asked myself what I really wanted to do.

The answer? Work with writers.

I took a job with a boutique agency offering publishing and promotion for authors and quickly became the Director of Marketing and Production.

After two years of helping writers publish and promote their books, I knew I wanted to pivot my coaching and writing skills to my true passion — helping stuck writers turn their experiences into publishable stories memoirs.

Somewhere in between those last two points, I met my best friend, life partner and one big love. We eloped on a mountaintop in Salzburg, Austria in 2022.

In October 2024, we welcomed a precious baby girl into our lives. We call her Gwendolyn, after where I grew up <3

When I’m not engrossed in a good literary novel or memoir with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, I’m probably off traveling or playing in the outdoors with my family.

Some of my favorite books include:

  • Untamed by Glennon Doyle

  • On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

  • Easy Beauty by Chloe Cooper Jones

  • Heavy by Kiese Laymon

  • Wild by Cheryl Strayed

  • Anything by Melissa Febos, Abigail Thomas, or Mary Karr