We share a dream to tell our stories to the world. If you feel like it’s too much to admit that, let me assure it that it’s not. Stories are at the heart of what it means to be human. At their best, stories are how we connect.

Stories were a lifeline when I grew up on a farm in the California Central Valley. I buried myself in books so much that my mother limited me to reading for one hour a day. Stories kept me company when I attended a conservative boarding high school (think no sports, no makeup, no dating and skirts below the knee—yes, there is a story here!).

In college, I pursued an English major and Journalism minor—two sides of the story coin. And many years later, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of getting my MFA in Writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts. I’ve learned the art of effective feedback through my MFA study as well as participating in writing groups, workshops, and conferences.

For many years, I worked in the wine industry. There’s a certain romance to wine work. Each vintage carries a story of the weather patterns, the capriciousness of Mother Nature who can, at will, be friend or foe. As I’ve grown older, however, I’ve realized that while I love wine, wine isn’t my calling. For me, it all comes back to story. I want to be surrounded by stories; I want to know the people who create them. I want to create my own.

Drawing on my education, my experience of editing and being edited, my extensive project management experience, and my passion for great storytelling and mentorship, I am eager to work with writers dedicated to the craft.