Theys all growed up!

I love coming across books I've nurtured in their infancy that have blossomed into real, live publications. I helped out Christina Harbridge of Allegory Training by proofreading her book, Your Professionalism Is Killing You: How to be a Better Communicator by Being Yourself. Interesting stuff:

After crawling on her belly over broken glass in a real tough industry, our founder realized the intellectual property she used to transform one industry applies to kitchen tables and board rooms throughout out the globe. Inside the covers of this book are thoughts meant to inspire you to raise your fist or holler a two-hands-up-rollercoaster-like whoo hoo! These road tested concepts will help you communicate to be heard and remembered.

Smart Closet Makeovers

Came across these Amazon reviews, which I hadn't seen before, for Smart Closet Makeovers (Sunset Books). I was the managing editor, and ended up wearing the hats of project manager and photo stylist as well. (The latter is definitely not my forte. Big thanks to real photo stylists Laura Del Fava and Julie Maldonado for taking over!)

Closet space can be a reality, June 22, 2008 By Angela Schmidt (Knoxville, TN)

Great color photos, lots of good info on how to organize and arrange your closets. Not only for clothes closets, but this also gives details on turning a small closet into an office, pantry, etc. Great decorative schemes, and so many ideas you won't know what to do with. I like the before and afters.

An absolutely excellent book! , March 23, 2007 By dakwriter

No holds barred, this closet makeover book is the best! Highly practical in its format, giving solutions for storage for small and large spaces, instructions and ideas are presented in a very clear way. Makeovers range from the extremely simple (adding another shelf) to the complex and everything in between. If this book doesn't inspire you to redesign your closet to suit YOUR needs, nothing will!

Subdue That Messy Closet, October 24, 2006 By Virginia Allain (retired librarian, Poinciana, FL)

I can always count on Sunset books for good info, clear photos and good coverage on a topic. This books tells how to get the most from your closet space. I like that this doesn't just tackle the clothes closet, but also covers pantries, utility closets, craft closets and office closets. When I hear of people renting storage facilities for their excess things, it makes me realize we need to streamline and organize. The books tells how to get more space in your closets by adding shelves and organizing systems. It also tells how to purge some of the overflow. The projects include step-by-step directions.

Recommended for anyone needing to make their closets more efficient, more elegant, more esthetic, or simply better organized, August 8, 2006 By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)

Profusely illustrated throughout, Smart Closet Makeovers offers step-by-step instructions on basic shelf building, practical tips on putting together "ready-to-assemble" kits, and shows how to effectively upgrade light fixtures to brighten a closet. There are literally dozens of examples of closet configurations to select from for any weekend do-it-yourself closet makeover project. Readers will also discover new and useful storage products that will increase the capacity, accessibility, and orderliness of any closet. Enhanced with a special bonus section showcasing forty-four organizing ideas applicable to any area of the home, Smart Closet Makeovers is enthusiastically recommended for anyone needing to make their closets more efficient, more elegant, more esthetic, or simply better organized.

Like every other writer out there, I constantly Google my books and name to see what pops up. I just found this in the blogsphere, which made my day:

"If I had read a book like What to Do When You’re Dating a Jew when I was first introduced to the Jewish community, it would have made it easier for me to connect, or at least to understand. The book is aimed at non-Jews who want to know all about interacting and fitting into Jewish families with as little friction as possible. It has lots of down-to-earth information." (Lynne on Jewish stuff: Lynne's paper)

We're remodeling a rental unit, so we're on a first name basis with several Home Depot employees. On our last trip there, I was thrilled to see two of my Sunset books on the racks: Smart Closet Makeovers and Backyards for Kids. For the first one, I remade my husband's closet into Scrapbooking Central (much to his surprise!). For Backyards for Kids, I enlisted Dave to help build a play structure and a kids' log cabin (on the cover), so look for him on the pages. (Photography by Michele Lee Willson and styling by Lara Del Fava.)