Good to Go Credits

The Web Designer of Good to Go

"I met Kim through her boyfriend, Mark, when he brought her over to meet our family at Christmastime (and we also fell in love with her). From holidays, what sudden professional friendships spring!" -Jo

Kim Wanner is a Philadelphia based web designer, and fondly referred to by Jo as her "webmistress." Kim specializes in providing her clients with an online presence for their masterpieces ("Oh, not only is she my webmistress, Kim is also the Queen of Modesty!").

Does Jo have incriminating pictures of you? Otherwise, why are you so darn complimentary?

"Working with Jo has been, and continues to be, a wonderful experience. If only all clients were as easy to work with as Jo! Good to Go is an amazing read and answers so many questions I wouldn't think of; having not been in that situation as of yet. Her book has helped me offer comfort and humor to close friends at a time of loss."

Kim Wanner
kmw design

The Book Designer of Good to Go

“We love those birdies, Nick!” -Jo

Nick Zelinger of NZ Graphics is a graphic designer based in Colorado. He specializes in the design and production of book covers and interiors, brochures, pocket folders, newsletters, eBooks, corporate identity packages and logo design - virtually anything for the print industry - compelling design that will exceed your expectations, meet your deadlines, and not blow your budget. Contact Nick at www.nzgraphics.com or call 303-985-4174.

Designing “Good to Go” was probably pretty easy, huh?
While I've done my share of designing covers and interior pages of books over the years - working on Jo's "Good to Go" certainly was one of the more challenging projects. She gave me absolutely free rein to come up with design ideas - and I'm happy to say, we wove our way through the creative process to come up with visuals that reflected her wonderful sense of humor and her deeply compassionate side. 'This is a subject matter that many people either don't want to address or are uncomfortable with - but eventually have to face,' I thought. After reading a sample chapter or two, I had decided on some artistic directions to follow.

Now that the project has been completed- and I've sat down and read "Good to Go" from cover to cover; I've never been more pleased with a project I've been involved in - and never more impressed with an author's ability to move me, make me laugh (and cry) and, finally give me the information that I know I'll need - so my family and I can be good to go.

Nick Zelinger
NZ Graphics

The Editors of Good to Go

“We had some laughs, didn’t we, Melanie?” –Jo

Melanie Mulhall is a Colorado based freelance editor and writer who works with authors and business people throughout the United States. She specializes in making words sing, dance, and get attention. Melanie is also author of the EVVY Award winning book, Living The Dream—A Guidebook For Job Seekers And Career Explorers and winner of a 2008 First Place EVVY Award for her work on Power of Rituals for Women. You can find her at her web sites, www.thatcopywriter.com and www.thedragonheart.com, reach her by email at mmulhall@earthlink.net, or contact her by telephone at 303-469-5780.

What was it like, having to work with Jo? She paid you, didn’t she?

It was a delight to work with Jo as her editor on Good to Go and a part of that delight was getting to know her and forging a friendship with her. I’m going to nurture that friendship with an eye towards getting older. Why? Because I don’t know anyone who is more appreciative of aging friends than Jo and I want her in my corner as I march further into my cronehood.

Jo came to me with a manuscript she had been inspired to write. But Jo is also willing to work hard and it was clear, in reading the manuscript, that she had put time, focus, energy and love into it. It was important to her. It became important to me, too. I worked hard with her. That meant a bit of developmental editing, a healthy dose of technical editing, formatting cleanup, and a certain amount of mind reading to get it all accomplished . . . while, at the same time, maintaining Jo’s voice.

Maintaining an author’s voice is no small part of an editor’s work. To be able to do it, the editor must set her ego aside and be able to do the writing equivalent of a Vulcan mind meld with the author. Editors who are really wannabe authors have trouble getting their egos out of the way and sometimes try to re-write the work in their own voice. Jo has a very engaging, distinct, and personal voice. It was important to maintain it and it is Jo’s voice that makes Good to Go sparkle.

That does not mean that syntax, grammar, and all the other fine points of editing didn’t come into play. They did. It also does not mean that all author/editor discussions were of the ladies’ tearoom variety. They were lively and spirited; also collaborative and always, always fun. Jo knows herself. She knows what works for her and what does not. I suspect Jo has a huge following in Denver of people—folks who got to know her during her KOSI radio days—who kept tuning in to spend part of their days with her because of that authenticity. That same authenticity made Jo a kick to work with! Jo is good to go anywhere she sets her mind to and I am planning to watch it all unfold with glee.

Melanie Mulhall
Editor/Author

"I put Paula through two weeks of sheer, manic intensity."-Jo

Paula K. Kinnes of Lark Limited, LLC is a professional freelance book editor based in Denver, Colorado. Lark Limited, LLC assists writers in taking their projects “From Manuscript To Masterpiece”. Paula specializes in helping first time authors create professional manuscripts for submission to agents or publishers or for self-publishing. Paula works with writers of both fiction and non-fiction and has clients in Denver and around the country. Lark Limited, LLC provides excellent results with minimal cost to the author. Please contact Paula via e-mail at pkkinnes@2by2.net or by telephone at 303-517-7340.

What kind of a client is this Jo Myers person? Are you still speaking to her?

Jo was a wonderful client to work with as I assisted her with the final edits of her book Good to Go. Jo was eager to learn and committed to improving her craft. She asked intelligent questions and was willing to implement the majority of changes I suggested. Working with Jo was a delight, and reading Good to Go was both pleasurable and informative. It is comforting to know that–at last–there is a book out there that will help families through one of the most difficult times they face.

Paula K. Kinnes
Lark Limited, LLC