Learn More About My Writing, My Books, and About Plain Ol' Me
About my writing and editing career:
* My writing has appeared in dozens of publications, including LowCarb Energy, Pregnancy Magazine, Common Ties, ePregnancy Magazine, The Jewish Homemaker, and many others. My article on breastfeeding and Judaism was published in The Haddassah Jewish Family Book of Health and Wellness (Jossey-Bass, 2006), and I write about my personal journey with infertility for Conceive Magazine online.
* Speaking of infertility, I write about infertility for About.com, a New York Times Company. You can read my blog at About.com here, or even sign up for a free, weekly fertility newsletter. Wego Health, a website for health activists, recently published an interview with me about my writing on infertility.
* I’m the author of two books, The Doula Advantage (Prima Publishing, 2003) and FabJob Guide to Become a Doula (FabJob.com, 2000). The Doula Advantage received endorsements from Dr. William Sears, author Ann Douglas, and Dr. Mayer Eisenstein. For more information on my books, click here.
* Besides basic non-fiction, I'm also a published poet, essayist, and short story writer. You can read my poem Five Seeds, at LiteraryMama.com. My short story Beside Heaven's Waters was recently published in Tel Aviv Short Stories (Ang.-Lit. Press, 2009). My writing has also placed in writing contests, including my essay, A Passionate, Risk Taking Year, which won first place in the 2007 Funds for Writers essay contest.
* I was an editor for the FabJob.com Guide to Become an Image Consultant (FabJob.com, 2005), helping bring together several writers and experts to create one, cohesive and comprehensive guide. While working as a developmental editor for FabJob.com, I had the opportunity to work on over 20 books, in various stages of the editorial process, including acquisitions, developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading.
* For just over three years, I worked as an assistant editor for what is now known as the SheKnows Network. My duties included writing newsletter and ad copy, basic HTML editing, copyediting, article acquisitions, and web community moderation.
* I worked as a writing instructor for Long Ridge Writers Group for six years, where I had the opportunity to help many aspiring and practicing writers find their niche and learn how to reach their goal of publication. For information on my writing coaching services, click here.
* While my specialties are health and self-help, I’ve written on a wide variety of topics, for a wide variety of clients, from newsletters to internet e-zines, from regional to international publications. I’ve written web content and ad copy, and I’ve written on assignment individual chapters of books. A sampling of the topics I’ve written on include childbirth, doulas, photography, illustrating, antique dealing, business, parenting, relationships, writing, and health and fitness. An experienced researcher and interviewer, I write on almost any topic.
More About Plain Ol' Me:
* I’m the mother of two boys, who love making art, making messy art, making messes, killing imaginary robbers with guns they created from a (once) innocent Lego® set, and running in circles howling like wolves. (All kids do this… no?)
* I love nature, animals, and all things green. Walks in large parks and nature reserves inspire and refresh me. (Unless I bring along the boys mentioned above — then, well, it’s better than howling at home, no?)
* I’ve been playing the piano for twenty-four years. I especially enjoy playing music by Tori Amos, and the music from various musicals.
* Speaking of music, I’m addicted to music, all kinds. From acoustic African and Celtic beats to Folk to Pop to Rock to Alternative to… well, you get the idea. iTunes® doesn’t know what to recommend next.
* I love to read. No, really. We own over 1,300 books (in our small, four bedroom apartment), and I like to only own the books I’ll read more than once. I’m particularly found of literary fiction and young adult literature. I cling to the words of C.S. Lewis, who said, “A book worth reading only in childhood is not worth reading even then.” My favorite books are The Giver, by Lois Lowry; Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clark; The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger; and The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd.
* I like to exercise; in particular, I enjoy walking, yoga, swimming, and aerobics. Don’t tell — but I’m very fond of Richard Simmons. What can I say? When he asks me to smile, I can’t help but listen.
* Oddly enough, though I work as a freelance writer and editor, my degree is in theoretical mathematics. I love calculus; I think math is fun. Yes, really.
* Born and raised in America, currently I live in Israel, in a rural town about a 45-minute drive from Jerusalem. I’ve also lived in California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland. That’s all. ;-) I’ve also traveled in Europe, and visited Toronto, Canada several times.