Clients' Books
NOBODY’S DAUGHTER: A MEMOIR OF HEALING THE MOTHER WOUND
by Rica Ramos
She Writes Press, May 9, 2023
Offering a bold and lucid look at mother-daughter relationships, Nobody’s Daughter underscores every woman’s right to truth and validation.
THE LONG SURRENDER: A MEMOIR ABOUT LOSING MY RELIGION
by Brian Rush McDonald
Wisdom Editions, January 26, 2023
After 30 years of preaching, McDonald walked away from the pulpit to pursue a different path.
DANCE OF LIGHT: SUFI, ZEN AND CHRISTIAN WISDOM FOR TODAY’S SPIRITUAL SEEKER
by Alice McDowell
Wisdom Editions, January 19, 2023
The spiritual life is a captivating dance guided by experiences, ancient mystics, and contemporary spiritual teachers
HARD AGROUND: UNTOLD STORES FROM THE POLLUX AND TRUXTON DISASTER
by Bett Fitzpatrick
Boulder Books, October 22, 2022
Caught in a raging blizzard in the pre-dawn hours of February 18, 1942, three American warships ran aground on the inhospitable coastline of Newfoundland and those who managed to make it to shore were stranded under cliffs until local miners launched a rescue mission.
OUT OF THE CAVE: A NATURAL PHILOSOPHY OF MIND AND KNOWING
by Mark L. Johnson and Don M. Tucker
The MIT Press, August 17, 2021
From a philosopher and a neuropsychologist, a radical rethinking of certain traditional views about human cognition and behavior.
TRUSTWORTHY: HOW THE SMARTEST BRANDS BEAT CYNICISM AND BRIDGE THE TRUST GAP
by Margot Bloomstein
Page Two Books, March 2, 2021
To regain the trust of consumers and citizens, marketers talk about empathy and authenticity. But how do you get beyond those buzzwords?
THE CONSTITUTION AND AMERICAN RACISM: SETTING A COURSE FOR LASTING INJUSTICE
by David P. Madden
McFarland Press, November 30, 2020
Pernicious flaws in the Constitution, included to legalize profiting from human bondage, perpetuate systemic racism, economic inequality and the subversion of democracy.
THE SOUL’S TWINS: EMANCIPATE YOUR FEMININE AND MASCULINE ARCHETYPES
by Jean Raffa
Red Feather MBS (Schiffer Books), November 17, 2020
Drawing on Jungian psychology and wisdom traditions from world religions, Dr. Raffa offers a self-guided journey to heightened self-awareness and compassion for oneself and others
The Sudden Loss Survival Guide: 7 Essential Practices to Heal Grief
by Chelsea Hanson
Mango, May 19, 2020
Delivers the essential answers and tools needed to survive, cope, and heal from the devastating impact of sudden loss. Includes heart-lifting prompts and action steps that guide you towards reengaging in life and discovering deeper meaning.
Queen of the Mountaineers: The Trailblazing Life of Fanny Bullock Workman
by Cathryn J. Prince
Chicago Review Press, May 7, 2019
Fanny Bullock Workman navigated the male-dominated world of alpine clubs and adventure societies as nimbly as she navigated the deep crevasses and icy granite walls of the Himalayas, breaking boundaries and charting frontiers for women everywhere.
Binge Eating Disorder: The Journey to Recovery and Beyond
Amy Pershing and Chevese Turner
Routledge, August 10, 2018
Illuminates the experience of BED from the patient perspective while also exploring the disorder's etiological roots and addressing the components of treatment that are necessary for long-term recovery.
Romancing the Sperm: Shifting Biopolitics and the Making of Modern Families
Diane Tober
Rutgers University Press, November 30, 2018
Explores the intersections between sperm donation and the broader context in which “modern families” are created and regulated. A captivating read for anyone interested in how ever-expanding assisted reproductive technologies continue to redefine what it means to be human.
MARCEL’S LETTERS: THE MOVING STORY OF A FONT AND ONE MAN’S FATE
Skyhorse Publishing, June 2017
by Carolyn Porter
A graphic designer’s search for inspiration leads to a cache of letters and the mystery of one man’s fate during World War II.
CHASING PORTRAITS: A GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER’S QUEST FOR HER LOST ART LEGACY
September 6, 2016
by Elizabeth Rynecki
The memoir of one woman’s emotional quest to find the art of her Polish great-grandfather, lost during World War II.
Testimonials
Jill is a wonder: part literary professional and part fairy godmother. With expert guidance at each stage of the process, she helped me transform an unwieldy 556 page manuscript into a 208 page Nautilus Silver Medal winner.Jean Benedict Raffa, author of The Soul's Twins: Emancipate Your Feminine and Masculine Archetypes
When you want to write your very best, you need feedback from the very best—and that’s Jill. When I was writing Trustworthy, a book about how to build trust through content and design, I needed someone in my corner who could help me craft a coherent, compelling story arc with the very best version of my voice. Jill quickly got up to speed on the ideas I proposed and help me shape them first into a proposal and then into a manuscript, all while helping me resolve issues that have affected my writing for decades. Some people might see a therapist for these issues; instead, I found an editor. I can’t recommend her support and guidance enough.Margot Bloomstein, author of Trustworthy: How the Smartest Brands Beat Cynicism and Bridge the Trust Gap
Jill Swenson is smart about both the writing process and the book publishing world. This is key for any writer looking to get their work published. She is honest and practical with writers in her detailed and big picture feedback. She’s always encouraging, and appropriately honest when the writing needs minor and major revisions. I hired Jill as a book development editor, but also found a friend and tireless advocate for my project and writing.Elizabeth Rynecki, author of Chasing Portraits: A Great-Granddaughter’s Quest for Her Lost Art Legacy (Berkley/Penguin Random House, Sept. 6, 2016)
When I first contacted Jill, I had a rough draft of a manuscript and a book proposal. I had sent the book proposal out on my own in an attempt to secure an agent, but had barely received a nibble of interest. Jill reviewed the proposal and explained it included a few red flags that would have prevented almost any agent from representing the book. With her guidance, I revised the proposal, then secured an agent, and in turn, a publishing deal. Jill understands the publishing industry and is a tireless advocate for her authors. She provides a mix of guidance and inspiration sprinkled with a little tough love. Quite simply, I couldn’t imagine publishing a book without her involvement.Carolyn Porter, author, Marcel’s Letters: The Moving Story About a Font and the Search for One Man’s Fate (Skyhorse June 6, 2017)
Jill is writing coach, advocate, and mentor all wrapped in one; she helped me find my voice. I know my work is in the best hands with Jill because she pushes and prods until it is the best it can be — and then she pushes some more.Cathryn Prince, author, Queen of the Mountaineer (Chicago Review Press, June 1, 2016
Swenson Book Development taught me what every author needs to know. I learned to create a compelling narrative, use social media, write a book proposal, find a publisher, and promote my book. Jill Swenson patiently guided me as I polished and pruned various drafts. She recognized and helped me express my unique personal voice. Jill is a sensitive, professional, and informed editor and guide in the confusing world of publishing.Elaine Mansfield, author, Leaning into Love: A Spiritual Journey Through Grief (Larson Publications, October 7, 2014)
Writing a book can be like sitting in a room in the dark, alone, with a strong flashlight: you can see clearly what you feel or think, and maybe, hopefully, what you want to create, but have little or no idea what readers or publishers will want or how to go from your light to theirs. Jill was like turning the overhead lights on in the room.Ira Rabois, author, Compassionate Critical Thinking: How Mindfulness, Creativity, Empathy, and Socratic Questioning Can Transform Teaching (Rowman & Littlefield, October 25, 2016)
My mammal tracking guide would never have seen the light of day without Jill Swenson. Her thoughtful and penetrating editorial input helped me to transform my original, limited concept into a fully realized and publishable book. Jill guided me through the complicated process of preparing a book proposal and used her extensive knowledge of the publishing business to get my proposal to the most appropriate publishing houses. Jill is an excellent editor, and she makes her comments with a caring and encouraging attitude. Working with Jill has helped me to improve my writing, but I never felt pressured to make a change that I didn’t feel comfortable with.Linda Spielman, author, A Field Guide to Tracking Mammals in the Northeast (Countryman Press/W.W. Norton, July 4, 2017)
Jill knows the business, and gives it to you straight. Like a good coach, she will gently kick your butt when it’s warranted and soothe your ego when it’s raw.Tina L. Peterson, author, Oscar and the Amazing Gravity Repellent (Capstone, Fall 2015)