Hi, I’m Jessica!
I’m a writer, memoir mentor and developmental editor with a passion for helping women turn their experiences into stories.
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.
I’m on a mission to provide the tools, support and encouragement writers need to tell their truth.
I started this business because I know what it’s like to try and write a memoir without a community.
While in school for my master’s in creative nonfiction, I was surrounded by writers. I had ample guidance and support. I was held accountable to my deadlines. I was encouraged to continue learning from books, instructors and my peers.
But when I graduated, all of that went away.
The friends I stayed in touch with stopped writing and, no longer having a community to lean on, I stopped writing, too.
It took me years to realize what was missing, exactly.
I’d always thought I was self-motivated. I always believed writing was a solitary endeavor. Girl, was I wrong!
After rejoining a writing community for myself — a group made up entirely of female memoirists — I knew it was the key to my continued success as a writer. In less than a year, I finished the book I’d started ten years before. I also discovered the many unique benefits that come from being a part of a group of other women and other memoirists. As a genre that often lies in the gray area between fiction and nonfiction, it’s incredibly valuable to seek and share insights with those who get it.
Now, I want to help you achieve success with your writing, too. I can’t wait to meet you and cheer you on as we embark on this truly incredible journey together!
My Experience & Education
I hold a B.A. in journalism and a master’s in creative nonfiction
I’m an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach
I’ve worked as a publicity associate for New York Times bestselling authors including Garth Stein, Heidi Durrow, and Jamie Ford and as the Director of Marketing and Production for a boutique author agency where I helped independent authors publish and promote their books.
I taught English in Thailand and China and freshman composition at Colorado State University
In my previous business, I coached numerous people on moving abroad to teach English
My own writing has won awards and been featured in Traveler’s Tales, Emrys Journal, and Horizon Air Magazine, to name a few. I’m currently at work on a travel memoir.
What Writers Are Saying
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“Jessica does a fantastic job with giving perspective that has the ability to help you tease more out of your writing. She is adept at giving feedback that helps to not only push you to broaden your skills as a writer, but also helps you to better understand your own voice within your work, a powerful asset for any writer!”
—HOLLY BECK
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”Jessica is a dream beta reader—equal parts kind and fierce. She’ll put you at ease even as she encourages you to take bigger, braver writing risks.”
—NATALYA SAVKA
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“Jessica got me to dig deeper into my past in ways I never imagined and helped me find the belief in myself that I could do this. I wake up every morning excited to work on the next chapter and Jessica’s thoughtful feedback gets the wheels turning for ways in which I can improve the next draft. If you’re thinking about writing a memoir, you want someone like Jessica by your side. I swear my memoir would not exist without her.”
—JESSICA LEIBE
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“Working with Jessica is affirming and encouraging. Jessica is affirming as a kindred writer and appreciates the nuanced challenges that arise on and beyond the screen. She's encouraging with creative expression helping to sharpen craft knowledge in a welcoming, supportive atmosphere. Whether you're an emerging or established writer, you'll benefit from Jessica's editorial services!"
—BECKY GILES GREEN
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“Before I started working with Jessica, my memoir felt like a distant dream. Through weeks of accountability, guidance, development, direction, and a bit of non-judgemental hand-holding, she has made this dream more and more of a reality. I highly recommend working with her, regardless of what stage your writing may be in. Unlike workshops or critique groups, I have been a part of before, her coaching delves deep to understand the true meaning of the work, bringing hope into sessions when I thought I was most lost. Also, the tone that she delivers all of her critiques and advice is calm, understanding, and incredibly knowledgeable. I trust her with my deepest secrets and worst writing!”
—HELENA GUGLIELMINO
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“She shares a perfect balance of what she loves from your story, highlighting where your writing shines and then pointing out where your words are not grabbing her the way it should. What I appreciate most is that her critiques are bold, and she does not hold back, inviting the author to also be bold and try something new after 2 to 7 rounds of rewrites. Jessica's support and encouragement has reignited my drive to keep editing and keep pushing to publication.”
— NATASHA BUFFO
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“Working with Jessica has helped to open new dimensions for my memoir manuscript. Through The Memoir Map and structured discussion, she has really helped me to dig deep into the heart of my story, uncover my motivation for writing it, and reveal the gaps in my narrative, including ideas for best opening and closing scenes. For anyone working in memoir, I would not hesitate to recommend them to work with Jessica!”
—WILEY WEI-CHIUN HO