Barbra Rodriguez
Ghostwriter, Book Coach, Line Editor
Barbra Rodriguez is an award-winning writer and certified coach and editor with decades of experience. She has provided developmental and line edits (for voice and style) of nonfiction for MIT Press and Stanford University, as well as copyediting and proofreading big idea, memoir, and more for Counterpoint and other presses. Other areas of focus include historical fiction, broad spirituality (from energy healing to progressive Christianity), life-science-related topics, and narrative nonfiction, such as nature essays and social justice journalism. She also ghostwrites select nonfiction.
Her work with self-published authors has included coaching and editing of hybrid memoir and of spiritual self-development books. Other clients have been the ecosystem sciences division of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, a non-profit focused on underserved students’ mental health needs, and conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy.
Barbra has judged book competitions for the Writers’ League of Texas, and the National Association of Science Writers. She is certified as a copyeditor by UC, San Diego, and as a book coach of memoir and fiction by Author Accelerator (with nonfiction coach certification underway). She has also coached and edited book proposals, and works with established clients on pitch packages for literary agents.
After receiving a certificate in Science Communication from UC, Santa Cruz, she wrote freelance features part-time about health challenges, climate change, lifestyle and other topics for national and state magazines, and for the journals Science and Nature. She won national awards for an AARP health feature, and a Texas award for a conservation feature. The latter award came during a public relations career until 2016, when she assisted faculty at a top-ranking medical school and an R1 research university in communicating science and environmental advances. In 2017, she received funding to attend the World Conference of Science Journalists, and an Ecological Society of America conference.
Barbra looks forward to helping authors express their intelligence, passion, and personality on the page. She reboots her passion through writing workshops, and uses an organized approach to coach, developmental edit, and line edit manuscripts.
AREAS OF SPECIALTY
Nonfiction for adults, including narrative nonfiction, books of journalism, psychology, self-help, broad spirituality, health/wellness, nature writing, bioscience, sustainability and landscape design
Memoir (that does not center on depicting trauma in detail)
Historical fiction
AVAILABLE FOR
Book planning
Manuscript evaluations, and first chapter reviews
Coaching, and developmental editing of nonfiction
Line editing (for voice and style)
Copy editing
Query letter and book proposal coaching or editing
As a first-time writer, I was overwhelmed with turning my ideas into a coherent narrative, and worried about potential criticism of my work, and whether a coach would understand and respect my vision and voice. Barbra’s constructive feedback boosted my confidence, and her expertise in narrative structure and storytelling proved invaluable. The best part was the “mental whiteboarding” sessions, which allowed me to explore and refine my concepts in a creative, supportive environment. Her guidance helped me see new possibilities and sharpen my narrative, making the writing process exciting and productive.
- Nazat Dowla, self-help book planning
I didn’t fully understand the purpose of a book proposal, or what specific things were wanted in different elements, the best tone, and more. Barbra's detailed feedback made her close read of the content clear, came without dictating what ought to be done, and included the why behind suggestions, based on understanding what agents are looking for. I now know the elements to revisit, and I feel armed to move forward with confidence, which is invaluable.
- Karen Boyd, positive psychology book proposal review
“I truly enjoyed working with Barbra. Her attention to detail and suggestions exceeded my expectations. Initially she started by copyediting and proofreading my memoir, but after working through my initial manuscript and seeing its potential, she gave me some recommendations on where we could improve the project. We decided to continue the work and through additional developmental editing we created a new manuscript that vastly improved the book. All I can say is that I’m grateful for her suggestions! I am thankful for her enthusiasm and willingness to immerse herself in the subject of my book. I strongly recommend Barbra!”