What many of my clients with Janice Beetle Books have in common is that they are retired and have a deep passion to preserve something that’s precious to them in the form of a book. Their story might, for instance, focus on a collection built over their lifetime.

Or they may want to record some aspect of their life—becoming a parent, losing someone important, building a career. Sometimes, people want to put down the story of their entire life for their children and grandchildren.

A client I began working with last fall falls into this latter category. Because she is modest and doesn’t want anyone besides her children to know that she has asked me to prepare her memoir, I can’t use this client’s name. I will call her Mary.

While her life has been joy-filled and rich with family and new adventures, Mary has also faced challenges—many of them health-related. She has approached each new problem with humor, grace, spirit, and faith.

Mary’s children know their mother is strong and stoic, and they have learned well from her to be resilient and grateful. But they want the generations to come to hear from Mary directly, so they can experience her and learn from her too.

I am thrilled to be telling the story of Mary’s life.

The early phase of the process has revolved around interviewing Mary about her life and processing documentation made available to me—everything from personal notes to medical records to newspaper clippings.

I am enjoying my one-on-one time with Mary the absolute most. An octogenarian, she has the brightest, warmest disposition, and we have in common that we like to mock ourselves. Mary and I both enjoy cracking ourselves up.

At least once in every interview, Mary says something that gets her laughing so hard she can’t speak for a few minutes. This, of course, gets me going.

Last month, I had a final interview with Mary. Now, I need to review everything I’ve gathered to organize it and place it in a chronology. I also need to evaluate what I still don’t know; what I still need. And then I will interview Mary’s children to hear their stories and recollections of their mother.

Then, finally, I will start writing.

Except for the fact that this project takes time, you can’t really call it work. It is so enjoyable—so delightful to sit with Mary, laugh with her. My respect for her, and the connection I am making with her, will make the process of writing about her enjoyable, and it will be fueled by my own passion to do well by Mary and her family.

My relationship with Mary is one I know I will continue after her project is through.

She’s the kind of person I’ll want to keep visiting so that I can smile and laugh with her!

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Gerald “Gerry” Hass is a retired pediatrician with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work over the past few months through Janice Beetle Books.

A man who is as gracious and compassionate as he is productive and intelligent, Gerry has created a book about his experience as the co-founder of a health center in the South End of Boston. I have fully enjoyed helping him develop the book’s content and usher it into the print phase.

“The Story of the South End Community Health Center: The Early Days” tells the story of the founding of the South End Community Health Center, which opened its doors in the South End of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1969.

Back in 1968, Gerry was offered a position as chief of Ambulatory Pediatrics and associate professor of Pediatrics at Boston City Hospital. His administrative support was Mel Scovell.

As a teaching and research fellow at Boston University School of Medicine’s Home Medical Service in 1961, Gerry understood the need for primary health care services for the underserved and multi-ethnic population of the South End of Boston. Mel had been a senior executive in a large international chain of shoe stores and factories, and he understood business finance.

Together, they imagined and then created the South End Community Health Center to provide care for all South End residents, including recently arrived Latino families. They encountered many hurdles, and they leapt over them.

There were no private doctors in the neighborhood, so residents wanted their own local clinic, where the health needs of their children and families could be met. The South End Community Health Center gave personal and continuous care to thousands of inner-city families, and its staff members were sensitive to the lives and the needs of all South End residents, including recently arrived Latino families.

Last year—2019—marked the 50^th anniversary of the center. Gerry and Mel hosted a reunion in Boston, and Gerry also wished to honor that celebration with a book on the center’s founders, staff, and patients. In 2019, he visited these former colleagues and friends, interviewing them—about what they valued, what they remember, what they felt the center’s importance and legacy was in the community.

Gerry then developed one chapter based on each interview, and he brought that collection of material to me. Together, we determined the order the various entries would be presented. I created a manuscript, compiling all the material, and then I offered content edits. Finally, I copy edited the final work and supported Gerry through the design and print process with Off the Common Books in Amherst.

On March 17, Gerry will read from his book at the South End branch of the Boston Public Library. I will be in Florida and will not be able to attend, but I have much pride and faith in Gerry. He will lead this event in the same determined, elegant manner he has used to walk through the production process.

Key in the center’s growth and popularity was its staff—people like Gerry who were sensitive to the lives and needs of the Latino families they served, who took the time to speak their language, and learn and meet their varying health care needs.

This book is dedicated to the thousands of families who were patients of the South End Community Health Center in the South End of Boston, Massachusetts. It is also dedicated to the wonderful and caring medical and support staff, who loved working together for decades.

The heart and soul of the Center was the late Inez Washabaugh Ward, RN, PNP, the center’s first nurse. Many people who were interviewed spoke of Inez as a woman who was hard-working, respectful, kind, and full of good humor. I feel as if I know her!

Likewise, Gerry is my kind of person.

He is soft-spoken, and he is all about people and their stories. He is the kind of person who will speak aloud of a friend or acquaintance of his, and then tell you something about that person—making him or her real.

Gerry is also a major scholar and physician.

He came to Boston in 1966 from London, England, with his late wife, Terry. He graduated in 1958 from the London Hospital Medical College and did residencies at the Royal London Hospital and also the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street in London. He came to Boston in 1966 to teach at Boston University School of Medicine.

I am privileged to have had the chance to work with Gerry, to learn his stories and those of his friends.

I will be proud to have his book on my shelf, and I will give a copy to Jacques’ daughter, who is studying to be a physician assistant in Boston, and my daughter Sally, a medical assistant here in Easthampton.

Excellent job, Gerry!

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Janice Beetle Books LLC centers around book development

EASTHAMPTON—Janice Beetle, a longtime writer and editor from Western Massachusetts, has launched a second business, Janice Beetle Books LLC, which centers around book development and publishing.

The owner of Beetle Press, a PR and communications firm, Beetle has offered the book development expertise through Beetle Press for nearly a decade. She has now built Janice Beetle Books around that creative service line. 

Beetle works with writers of all skill levels—as well as nonwriters—to help them carry a book idea through to publication. She also offers writing coaching services.

“My clients need help with some part of the work—whether it’s developing the idea, writing or editing the manuscript, or navigating the publishing process,” Beetle said. “It’s very exciting to help people bring a long-held desire from book idea to bookshelf.”

The website for Janice Beetle Books is at JaniceBeetleBooks.com and was developed by Danaë DiNicola of Turn Signal Media. The site showcases services, Beetle’s own creative writing to date as well as her clients’ books. 

Others who helped in the development of the business are: Val Nelson, a business and life coach; Mark NeJame, a Northampton attorney who created the LLC; Teresa Adams, a creative writer in the region; and summer intern Anthony Aquadro.

“What I love about the book development work is that there is nurture involved as well as skill and knowledge,” Beetle said. “People come to me, and they think their idea is not worthy, or that no one will want to read their story. They have fears—that they can’t complete a book, that it won’t be good enough, that they won’t be able to get it published after doing all the work. They look to me for validation, motivation, inspiration, and resources.”

Beetle added, “I still love the deep sense of satisfaction I see on their faces when they hold their books in their hands for the first time. That doesn’t get old.” 

The following are recent clients and their book titles: Jim Ricci, author of Hand, Horse and Motor: The Development of the Lawn Mower Industry in the United States; Tom Zink, author of Seasoned: A Memoir of Grief and Grace; and Peter Cichon, who wrote Flight of Integrity with Beetle. 

Flight of Integrity is a novel that fictionalizes a turn for the worst in Cichon’s career at an airline. It will be published by Off the Common Books in Amherst, Massachusetts, in September. 

Beetle, of Easthampton, holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Westfield State College. 

Since 1998, she has operated Beetle Press, offering writing, editing, and digital marketing services to business owners and leaders of nonprofit organizations.

A former journalist, she writes and distributes press releases to local media and also does media consulting. 

She also writes content for print publications of all types, and she writes blogs, enewsletters, and website content.

For more information about Beetle Press, visit BeetlePress.com.

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LACONIA—Janice Beetle, a longtime writer and editor from Western Massachusetts, has expanded her services into the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

Beetle, who lives both in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and Laconia, runs two businesses, Beetle Press and Janice Beetle Books LLC. She is offering her services through both organizations in this region.

Through Beetle Press, Beetle offers a range of writing, editing, and digital marketing services.

A former journalist, she writes and distributes press releases to local media and also does media consulting. 

The scope of the other services she offers is broad; she writes and edits articles for publications that include newspapers, alumni magazines, campaign reports, and annual reports. She also partners with marketing directors and organization leaders, serving as an extension of their marketing teams. 

Beetle helps her clients identify and develop the stories that help them raise awareness and develop volunteer bases and fundraising efforts. She tells client stories across multiple channels, which include PR, blogs, and messaging on social media.

Beetle’s clients in this region include the Laconia Daily Sun, Plymouth State University, and Patrick’s Pub & Eatery, owned by her brothers Jeffrey and Allan Beetle.

Beetle Press was founded in 1998. In Western Mass, Beetle’s clients include Smith College School of Social Work, Westfield State University, United Way of Hampshire County, Florence Bank, Thornes Marketplace, and Glenmeadow, a retirement community.

Janice Beetle Books is a newer business, founded this spring, and it focuses on book development. “People come to me with an idea for a book that they are passionate about,” Beetle said. “They need help with some part of the work—whether it’s developing the idea, writing or editing the manuscript, or navigating the publishing process.”

“It’s very exciting to help people bring a long-held desire from book idea to bookshelf,” she added.

Beetle also offers writing coaching services for creative writers.

The following are recent clients and their book titles: Jim Ricci, author of Hand, Horse and Motor: The Development of the Lawn Mower Industry in the United States; Tom Zink, author of Seasoned: A Memoir of Grief and Grace; and Peter Cichon, who co-wrote Flight of Integrity with Beetle. All titles are available on JaniceBeetleBooks.com.

Flight of Integrity is a novel that fictionalizes a turn for the worst in Cichon’s career. It will be published by Off the Common Books in Amherst, Massachusetts, in September. Beetle will read from the book in the fall at venues in the region.

She would be pleased to be invited to read and discuss the book development process by community groups, book groups, or women’s groups. Contact Beetle at Janice@BeetlePress.com.

Learn more about Beetle Press at BeetlePress.com.

Learn more about Janice Beetle Books at JaniceBeetleBooks.com.

Beetle holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Westfield State College. 

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I’ve always wanted to be a full-time author. I also have developed a specialty over the past five years in working with people who have a long-held desire to write a book—to show it to others as a way to say, “This is my story.”

This work—and their stories—are meaningful to me. It all gives me deep satisfaction.

After I finished reading Big Magic and penning the Christmas book for my boyfriend, a series of revelations came to me like tiny seed pods blown my way in the wind. It went like this:

• You wrote a pretty decent memoir in 30 days, Janice. That means you could write another book, and it might also be pretty decent.
• There are a lot of other people out there who could use your help, a lot of passion stories waiting to be told and handed out by clients to their friends and family.
• You could create a second business around these ideas and start to nurture it with time and attention.

That’s how Janice Beetle Books LLC was born. This second business will allow me to focus on clients who have a book in their heads and hearts. At the same time, I will continue to support businesspeople and nonprofits who need to raise awareness through PR.

My friend and colleague Val Nelson is guiding me through the creation of Janice Beetle Books. Mark NeJame, a Northampton attorney who is also a friend and colleague, is launching the LLC. My daughter’s best friend Ali Winkler created the logo. And Danaë DiNicola of Turn Signal Media is designing the website, which will feature photos by Sandra Costello.

The growth is tangible. It fills me with as much anxiety and trepidation as it does excitement. Doubts try to nestle into my psyche, but they continue to get pushed away by these unmistakable signs I keep receiving from the universe:

• When I was locked out of a website I access frequently, I had to answer a security question I created over 10 years ago. “What did you want to be, as a child?” It asked me. I summoned the answer instantly: an author. An amazing reminder, validation.
• I’ve had four new client inquiries since I started moving in the direction of Janice Beetle Books. Each prospect wants help with a book.
• After I praised the magic of Big Magic on Facebook a few weeks ago, a reader and friend, Lynn Moynahan, responded with a suggestion for another book, Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown. It’s about vulnerability and the ways in which we hide our creativity because we are afraid. Brene is teaching me that it is courageous to move forward with this idea I believe in with my whole heart. It’s better to fail while reaching for a goal than to skitter away without trying.
• A few weeks ago, I was cleaning out a packed storage space in my basement, taking the time to go through each and every tote. In one, I found every journal I’ve ever kept and a folder full of typewritten pages. I took the folder upstairs and found a body of work that was important to me at one time that I thought I’d lost as well as three published works of fiction. I did not remember that my fiction was published once, never mind three times. The affirmation made me giddy.

You can’t make this stuff up.

Signs, signs. Everywhere signs. The universe has spoken.

Soon I will introduce you to Janice Beetle Books and all it has to offer. I will also continue to be here to offer PR consulting and assists with writing press releases, blogs, and enewsletters.  Let me know if I can help you with a project that’s connected to your work, or your passion—or both!

The post Following the signs to a second business appeared first on Beetle Press.

EASTHAMPTON—Janice Beetle, principal of Beetle Press, a public relations and communications firm, recently announced she will celebrate 20 years in business in 2018.

Beetle established the business in 1998 after working as a journalist for 15 years, first as a beat reporter for the Springfield Republican and then as a writer and editor at the Daily Hampshire Gazette. That training has helped her assist clients in connecting with the media via press releases.

Beetle works with a diverse range of clients from the nonprofit and private sectors. She writes for and edits print pieces such as magazines and annual reports. She creates editorial calendars that include print and online media channels, and she supports digital marketing efforts for clients, writing blogs, enewsletters, and website content.

In 2013, Beetle introduced book development to her roster of services, and has since helped launch many authors’ publications.

To mark the 20th anniversary for the business, Alison Winkler, a graphic designer native to Northampton who now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., adapted the original Beetle Press logo design by Lisa Stowe of Florence, creating an anniversary version.

For a number of years, Beetle promoted her business as a “one-stop shop,” offering writing, editing and graphic design services. Today, Beetle has returned to her roots, focusing on writing, editing and PR services. When clients need more comprehensive services, she partners with colleagues Ruth Griggs, a marketing strategist, and Maureen Scanlon, a graphic designer, in a collaborative called The Creative.

Beetle holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Westfield State College. Since 2003, she has mentored dozens of interns from Westfield State and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She now employs four former interns on a freelance basis: Shelby Ashline, a graduate of UMass; Shannon Grossman and Ashley Pond, graduates of Westfield State; and David Kennedy, a current Westfield State student.

Clients of Beetle Press include Westfield State University, Glenmeadow, Florence Bank, Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, Sports Travel and Tours, and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

For more information visit www.beetlepress.com.

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Since Tom Zink released his book, Seasoned: A Memoir of Grief and Grace, in April, he has sold almost 250 copies through promotions on his website as well as through a half dozen book readings and events. He’s also made peace with the process, which left him feeling exposed and vulnerable at times.

I helped Tom edit his manuscript over roughly a year and a half, and my colleague Maureen Scanlon designed the book, which is both poignant and humorous in telling the story of Tom’s unwitting grief journey of five decades that began when his older brother Steve was hit by a car and killed while on the paper route they shared.

As we neared the end of the editing process late last winter, Tom recognized that the transition from writing to publishing would lead to a new level of vulnerability as his very personal story made its way into the hands of readers. Through his various events, and on a book tour to his hometown this fall, Tom has learned with gratitude that people appreciate hearing his tale of loss.

Readers respond to his memoir with their own tales of loss, Tom says. And he enjoys listening to them because he feels that, in writing the book, he has already had the chance to share. He is encouraged that releasing his book has given others permission to open up, because our culture generally avoids the topic of death.

A resident of North Bay, Ontario, Tom unveiled the book seven months ago in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he lived for several decades. This summer, he did a reading at a hospital during National Grief Awareness Day, and he also presented at the public library in North Bay. Most recently, he took a 22-day road trip, dedicating a week of it to readings—at the high school in Cleveland where he and Steve were students, and at a church in Chicago. You can read about Tom’s travels and various book events on his blog.

Tom is pleasantly surprised by the amount of positive feedback he’s received from readers, especially those who attended his reading in Cleveland. At this event, former teachers and classmates offered strong support and validation. Conversing with these friends who knew his brother gave Tom a deep sense of fulfillment and contentment.

Proceeds from book sales support the Stephen A. Zink Scholarship at Tom and Steve’s alma mater, Lutheran High School West in Rocky River, Ohio. While there in September, Tom met Jaylee Rivera, a freshman at the school who is this year’s scholarship recipient. Tom said, “She was intelligent, confident, and self-assured. It was good to meet her and put a face to the scholarship.”

In a recent email to his readers, Tom says of Seasoned, “It’s a book that readers have called ‘a page turner told with grace,’ ‘courageous and compelling,’ and ‘easy to read, easy to relate to and very easy to recommend to others.’” He says others have told him he has a “gratifying style” and that they “couldn’t put the book down.”

One sign that Tom is getting comfortable marketing his book is the call to action in his recent email to readers: “The holidays are just around the corner, what better time to gift a copy of Seasoned to someone you know will enjoy it?”

I second that idea. Buy the book, or the ebook, for someone you love.

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