I was at a networking event about 12 years ago when I met an Avon Lady.
My specialty is the written word. Avon ladies sell by speaking. Any literature they have comes from the home office.
I don't use Avon, and since I was doing the "Internet hermit" thing back then, I didn't know anybody I could recommend.
So, Rose and I quickly realized we wouldn't be sending each other any business, and just became friends instead.
Skip ahead a few months. Rose's mamma went to church with a lady who had just written a book and needed an editor.
So I got an email from the author. This was the first book she'd ever written, and it would be the last book she'd ever write.
Her words, not mine.
I know the feeling.
At two cents a word, I was able to quote her a price of $1000. I added that I knew that was more than she could afford, so I sent her a list of low-cost options she could combine into a "better than nothing" type package.
She replied that no, wait, she would check with her husband on their budget.
My hourly wage wound up being a bit low and I didn't mind a bit. I'm especially proud of what we achieved together.
Perfectly Imperfecta: Conner's Story Living With Brittle Bones by Denise Goldhammer is the inspiring story of a mother's decision to have a baby who she knew would be born with brittle bone syndrome, with all the resulting challenges both known and unknown, and a family who overcame them.
New York Times Best Seller.
Appearances on Good Morning America.
Conner Goldhammer becoming an honorary Power Ranger.
Editing, at its best, gives me a deep sense of personal satisfaction. Like in this instance.