Spring Book Launches in the MRO Creative Orbit

This spring includes two big book launches in the MRO Creative universe:

Tortured Soles by Fran Weinstein. Working with Fran on her memoir as developmental editor was an absolute delight! Her story is deep, vulnerable, and at times hilarious. She plumbs deep insight from her experience as a first-generation immigrant in America and as an entertainment news producer/director covering the brightest lights in the public eye. Such courage to dig in, with beautiful grace, and emerge in love with her story, her family, and her life. Tortured Soles: High Heels, Low Expectations, and the Hollywood Gossip Mill is available in print and Kindle.

Read Fran’s and my collaboration Success Story.

Ready or Not?: I Never Asked for This by Marcy Bursac. It’s an honor to have accompanied Marcy on this creative journey. We developed this graphic novel for teens from concept to finished screenplay. It tells the story of Olena, a young woman aging out of foster care and facing some big decisions. This story is part of Marcy’s mission to advocate for children and families in the foster care and adoption systems. The companion curriculum will bring the story to life in middle and high school classrooms across the country. Ready or Not? launched on the first day of National Foster Care Month in May in print, e-book, and Kindle editions.

Read Marcy’s and my collaboration Success Story.

Literary theory holds that writing is only completed by the reader. That is, as attributed to Hemingway: for a story to have power, it must be felt by the reader.

As a developmental editor, I’m on an author’s team getting the story written and ready for the world. Now that Fran’s and Marcy’s stories are launched, this brings the work to the second side of the experience: the reader’s response.

We wonder how the story will land? What will it move the reader to feel, or do, or both? Developmental editing begins with distilling the “through line,” the controlling idea, the message that we want to convey. After reading, there are a variety of experiences for the reader: they may be entertained; they may feel less alone in the world; they might have more empathy for others or be moved to take some action. Stories may challenge them to reappropriate values they’ve long held or create a value shift that changes their worldview. When the story’s complete, they might grieve the loss of characters they’ve become attached to. Writers who read well-crafted stories might be moved to create their own. Whatever the case, the author ultimately cannot control how the reader responds.

For both books, first reviews are in! Marcy’s focus group results are quite moving as young people reflect on how the story broadened their understanding of what their peers in the foster care system are going through. The book’s goal is to provide a context for conversation and to raise awareness among middle and high school students, their teachers and administrators. Fran is hearing from colleagues and friends who see themselves reflected in her story and are delighted and moved by that resonance. How could they not be with a memoir by one of the best storytellers from Entertainment Tonight? Each book’s impact and legacy will grow in the coming weeks and months.

As I celebrate with these talented women, I feel pride, joy, relief, accomplishment, and the integrity of standing true to each author’s vision. The readers’ feedback we’ve received is deeply gratifying. When I sought my certification as a developmental editor, I would have done all that study and analysis simply because I loved the material so much. Where it would lead, I had no idea; I chose this path out of deep joy and love for the work. Now, I’ve walked with these authors from “Here’s my idea. Do you think I can do it?” to these legacy works. We brought their stories into the world, and I forged a bond with both amazing women. Add gratitude to my list.