My Clients’ Books & Projects
DRIVEN
A Memoir
Investigating Nine Decades of
Stop-at-Nothing Ambition
by New York Times bestselling author
JOHN MARTEL
John Martel, New York Times bestselling author of the memoir DRIVEN: Investigating Nine Decades of Stop-At-Nothing Ambition
Coming Spring 2024 from Christmas Lake Press
Attorney John Martel's forthcoming memoir, DRIVEN, explores 92 years of relentless ambition, high-profile legal cases, and his indefatigable search for true love.
Born during the depression in rural Modesto, with no family encouragement, Martel became a college athlete, then an elite U.S. Air Force pilot, a top trial lawyer, a successful singer-songwriter, a national bestselling author, and an international Masters Track and Field high hurdling champion.
Now, at the age of ninety-two, the mystery and suspense writer invites his readers to join him in a candid investigation of his life as he tries to solve the mystery of who or what drove him to a lifetime of frenzied preeminence, in total disregard for his health and happiness.
Combining literature, law, and life lessons, Martel’s memoir reveals the heartfelt reflections of a man who achieved uncanny success in an unprecedented five totally different vocations, only to discover that he had become a victim of his success, a prisoner of his need for recognition and fame. It’s a story of manic ambition, of love lost and regained, and emotional redemption.
What People Are Saying…
“Extraordinary writer John Martel is back with a must-read memoir—the capstone to his astonishing career.”
—John Lescroart, New York Times best-selling author
”As an attorney, I stand in awe of John Martel’s legendary accomplishments in the courtroom, and as the author of a legal thriller, I appreciate his commitment to the craft. It’s no surprise that his memoir is a page-turner, powered by the intense energy and unstoppable drive he has brought to every aspect of his remarkable life.”
—Brian Cuban, attorney, author of The Addicted Lawyer, Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow & Redemption and The Ambulance Chaser, and addiction recovery advocate
John Martel, author of the memoir DRIVEN: Investigating Nine Decades of Stop-at-Nothing Ambition (Christmas Lake Press, April 2024)
If Martel looks vaguely familiar, fans of Comedy Central’s award-winning sketch comedy series Key & Peele (K&P) might recognize him from the show’s closing credits:
When I first met John Martel, I was a relatively new memoir writing coach, so I was shocked when he tracked me down and asked me to help him shape his latest book. Why, I wondered, would a New York Times bestselling author need my help — or anyone’s?
Not only had the publishing industry drastically changed since Martel’s last release, but he was also now 92 years old and battling Parkinson’s Disease. Martel knew this would likely be the last book he’d write, and he was determined to get it published in record time.
From our first meeting, I felt the clock ticking. We built an immediate rapport and got to work making his memoir the best it could possibly be. Then, with a complete manuscript, a book proposal, and query letter complete, we began shopping DRIVEN around.
One day, in the midst of querying and corresponding with literary agents, I was having lunch with John and his wife, Bonnie, at their home north of San Francisco when, at the end of our meal, John turned to me and said, “With your help…do you think we can get the book published within the year?”
Until that moment, I still believed that quality book publishing remained, unfortunately, a maddeningly long process — but John (and his driven nature) changed everything. When I thought about how John had started the book (in his 90s!) during the pandemic… and how he’d actively and willingly sought a developmental editor to refine his draft… and that he’d not only accepted my editorial recommendations and suggestions but also quickly and seamlessly incorporated them into his manuscript — all while managing Parkinson’s — I decided I’d do all I could to get him to the publishing finish line NOW.
I had a hunch that Christmas Lake Press would be the ideal publisher to honor John and his epic life story — but I had no idea how hard they’d work to ensure John’s publication wish came true. DRIVEN hits bookstores in hardcover in May of 2024.
While it’s been a privilege working as John’s developmental editor, memoir writing coach, and literary agent — my new favorite title is FRIEND OF PUBLISHED MEMOIRIST JOHN MARTEL.
DRIVEN: A Memoir Investigating Nine Decades of Stop-at-Nothing Ambition
by New York Times bestselling author
JOHN MARTEL
Published by Christmas Lake Press, available May 2024
Click here for more on Women, Intersectionality, and Power in Group Psychotherapy Leadership
WOMEN, INTERSECTIONALITY, AND POWER IN
GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY LEADERSHIP
I was honored to provide writing coaching for one of the contributors to Women, Intersectionality, and Power in Group Psychotherapy Leadership.
Here’s a description from the publisher’s website:
“This ground-breaking book presents multifaceted perspectives to examine assumptions about gender, intersecting identities, and power that impact women’s experience as group psychotherapy leaders, mentors, and educators.
Leaders in the field discuss the theories, training, personal experience, mentorship, and clinical work that empower women group psychotherapists beyond the limits of traditional technique and practice. Chapters boldly investigate theoretical, cultural, and personal paradigms, and explore themes of intersectionality, gender-role identity, and hidden bias. The authors challenge embedded societal norms to encourage deeper gender and cultural intelligence in group psychotherapy leadership.
This text provides guidance and clinical wisdom that will inspire, scaffold, and embolden contemporary group psychotherapy leadership.”
Published by Routledge; 1st edition September 30, 2021
Click here for more on Baptized By Love: How I Found Present Joy And Never Let It Go by Danét Palmer
BAPTIZED BY LOVE
BY DANÉT PALMER
Author Danét Palmer is a wonder, and her memoir debuted as a #1 New Release in Amazon’s Popular Experimental Psychology genre.
When Palmer first approached me with a complete manuscript in need of a second set of eyes, she’d already decided that her self-help book felt more like a memoir in need of reshaping.
Over the next several months, we explored her manuscript’s themes, connections, and key takeaways, fine-tuning the narrative and marveling over its universal messages of heartfulness, healing, and hope.
Sometimes Danét emailed me scenes and I’d send her my feedback. Other times, meeting over Zoom, she’d read me passages to get my immediate reaction. Still other times, we’d discuss the best ways to address particular scenes, and then she’d go off and write her heart out.
From the start, our collaboration was built on openness, trust, and positivity. She, like me, always believed she’d get her book published. She never lost faith that she’d reach the publishing finish line, nor did I.
Baptized by Love: How I Found Present Joy And Never Let It Go begins at the lowest moment of Danét’s life, then follows her as she puts the shattered pieces back together.
Have you ever needed a second chance? Wondered what radical acceptance looks like? Hoped to learn from someone who’s learned to love themself? Let Danét’s honest, gentle approach guide you through her remarkable journey from utter hopelessness to unquestionable wholeness.
Published by Mandala Tree Press, March 15, 2022
Click here for even more author profiles and behind the scenes discussions with passionate writers, and subscribe below to my Substack Newsletter, Writers’ Haven by Christine Wolf:
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