Photo above by Jeannie O’Connor (http://www.jeannieoconnor.com)
EDITING AND CONSULTING
In her freelance business as a writing coach and developmental editor, Barbara Gates works with authors on the conceptual and writing stages of their books as well as in the writing of their book proposals.
“Barbara Gates, writer, editor, and friend in the dharma, has helped the manuscript greatly by bushwhacking through several of the early chapters, creating a clear and orderly garden out of the thickets of my dharma talks. I offer her my thanks.”
Jack Kornfield
A Path With Heart: A Guide through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life
(Bantam Books, 1993)
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“Some who have aided me with this book are as follows: Barbara Gates, who edited with enormous grace and skill, and taught me some essential elements of writing.”
Sharon Salzberg
Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness
(Shambhala Publications, 1995)
Photo above by Jeannie O’Connor (http://www.jeannieoconnor.com)
“My sincere thanks extends . . . to Barbara Gates and Dr. Ronna Kabatznick for their indispensable help in wading through voluminous material and focusing and organizing that material into a coherent structure.”
Dr. Howard Cutler, author with the Dalai Lama
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
(feedkindness.com Books, 1998)
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“Thanks to Barbara Gates for her clarity and enthusiasm in helping to prepare my proposals. . . I benefited from the bright talent of Barbara Gates in the initial shaping and drafting of the first chapters of True Refuge.”
Tara Brach
Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha
(Bantam Books, 2003)
True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart
(Bantam Books, 2012)
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“I am deeply thankful to Barbara Gates, my developmental editor, whose guidance, teaching, diligence, and friendship has made this journey possible for me. Her bright and loving spirit carried me through. Barbara worked with me on the structure of the book and chapters, patiently taught me the craft of writing and the art of editing for clarity and grace of expression. Together we brainstormed so that I was able to find what I truly wanted to say in the book and in each chapter. Most importantly Barbara supported me in finding my own unique voice in writing.”
Radhule Weininger
Heartwork: The Path of Self-Compassion
(Shambhala Publications, 2017)
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“I cannot speak highly enough of Barbara as an editor—words like bright, warm, supportive, insightful, creative, lyrical, pragmatic all fall short. She helps the author find his or her authentic voice, while never losing sight of the reader. She is passionate about expression but equally so about connection. When I read Barbara's edits of my manuscript I said to myself, ‘Yes, that's what I really wanted to say and how I really wanted to say it... only more so, and better.’”
Michael Kearney
The Nest in the Stream: Lessons from Nature on Being with Pain
(Parallax Press, to be published in 2017)
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“Barbara gave me the twin gifts of encouragement and direction. The guidance addressed ways to reorganize the content, clarifying my core intention, and being candid about what to cut. A bonus was how she applied her knowledge of Buddhist practice and living in the world to my content, contributing to both accuracy and poignancy. And the encouragement has not yet stopped!”
Douglas Carnine, PhD
Saint Badass: Personal Transcendence in Tucker Max Hell
(to be published in 2017. See feedkindness.com)
How Love Wins: The Power of Mindful Kindness
(to be published in 2017. See feedkindness.com)
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Photo above by Jeannie O’Connor (http://www.jeannieoconnor.com)
Inquiring Mind’s editors in chief Wes Nisker and Barbara Gates with publisher Alan Novidor, 2007