testimonials
"Gail supported us tremendously in developing and editing What is My Legacy? She listened closely to our goals and personal stories and helped us shape the book and write together as a team. We are grateful to Gail for her guidance, thoughtfulness, and editing skills."
by Martin Luther King III, Andrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger
WHAT IS MY LEGACY
From the moment of his birth, Martin Luther King III has carried the privilege and weight of his father’s legacy—and the enduring dream of a Beloved Community rooted in justice, love, and equal rights for all. Today, in a world still burdened by legacies of violence, oppression, and profound disconnection, that dream can feel more distant than ever. In answer to these challenges, Martin teamed up with his wife, Arndrea, and legacy architects Marc and Craig Kielburger to offer a profound vision for how we can live and leave new legacies going forward.
Through never-before-told stories from the King family, archival photographs, and deeply personal reflections, the book reminds us that meaningful change is not only forged in historic movements, but in the intentional choices we make every day.
CAROL ODELL
“Gail was a guide, mentor, and ultimately my book midwife. I owe so much to her kind, attentive, and professional editorial guidance. She encouraged and supported me from the beginning and helped this book find its way into the world and into the hands of so many readers who’ve benefitted from it.”
by Carol Odell, LICSW
girl, groomed
Carol Odell’s brilliant memoir won first prize in the Pacific Northwest Writing Association contest in the Memoir/Non-Fiction category for unpublished works. From there, she went on to win Best Indie Book Award for "Girl, Groomed" in the memoir category. Two significant achievements for a first-time author..
Carol and I worked together to help her create a compelling mix of personal memoir and self-help, offering a dual perspective as both a seasoned therapist and a personal reckoning with a buried past that returned to haunt her. Set against the backdrop of a rural Virginia horse stable and the challenging world of a violent and sexually abusive trainer, Carol's memoir is a candid exploration of trauma's enduring grip.
Imagine Maybe You Should Talk to Someone meets the shadow complexities of the equestrian world—a page-turning therapist's revealing tale that helps us understand how we can heal the past at any stage of life.
wendy jordan saffel
"As a first-time author, I was a deer in the headlights. There’s no way this would have become a book without my gifted guide and editor, Gail Hudson—and it thrills me to ne end to say “my editor.” She helped me take the disparate chapters I’d written and create a chapter map, ground it in a timeline, and showed me where we needed connective tissue. She changed barely a word, but her impact was everything.”
by Wendy Jordan Saffel
NEVER REALLY LEFT
I began working with Wendy through Girl Friday Productions’ book coaching program, helping her generate and develop content. Soon she had a book on her hands, and I became her book editor. Her memoir and guidebook is about Wendy starting to reconnect with her departed son Hugh, who tragically died (but never really left) when he was still a young college student.
Wendy draws on her fascinating personal stories of “signs” and visits from her departed son that began to change the course of her grief, but also her entire life. She ultimately became a medium and teaches readers specific ways to connect with people on the other side. She also includes a wealth of research about the survival of consciousness and what quantum physics tells us about the possibility of connection beyond the veil. I want to hand this to everyone who’s grieving the loss of a loved one. It’s hopeful, grounded, comforting, and filled with gripping real-life stories.
Shelli johnson
"“Gail was a significant support during an important time in my life, and in my writing! Yes, she reassured me that I had a worthwhile book in me, and that was huge for me! But, also, and even more importantly, she encouraged me to write about something I had carried a lot of fear and shame about writing. That work and writing I did to process it—along with Gail’s listening and encouragement—was difference-making. Doing that writing with Gail’s support led to some of the most meaningful inner work and repairs I’ve ever done. In doing that work and by committing further to my writing practice, something was unlocked and helped me to embody my authentic voice again. I am deeply grateful to Gail and all she taught me about writing and the power of finding and sharing your authentic voice.”
by Shelli Johnson
breathtaking
I was a writing coach for Shelli, helping and encouraging her to assemble this collection of essays she’s been developing over the years. Shelli came to me as a nationally successful life & executive coach, keynote presenter, leadership consultant, and badass adventure guide. She had a background in writing, but wanted support in shaping her personal adventure stories into relatable, inspirational essays. Shelli mostly needed a supportive guide to read her writing, which included some profound and hilarious stories, and to help her believe she had a book in her. Breathtaking: A Field Guide to Living Your Epic Life delivers exactly what its title promises. Sure, I offered some suggestions for strengthening her material, but really, it was Shelli’s grit, humor, and unique life wisdom that made this book come alive.
Patrick Priestner
"Gail's ability to listen and understand really hit me during our first Zoom meeting and it lasted throughout our whole time working together. She is easy to talk to and her thoughtful insight not only helped me find words but also led me to consider deeper meanings, resulting in more impactful writing. She has an amazing ability to organize material and capture themes, which I found especially helpful. Sometimes I would get stuck or veer off in an unintended direction. Gail managed to provide the sometimes difficult but necessary feedback in a supportive way, and I trusted and valued her input. I will always be grateful for having Gail in my corner when I was trying to write the best book that I could. I cannot state strongly enough how valuable Gail was to me in this process and how highly I would recommend her.”
by Patrick Priestner
NOTES FOR THE CHILDREN
Pat first came to me as a writing coaching client through Girl Friday Productions. He had gathered boxes and files of literal notes he’d written to his children over the past 30 years and he wanted help assembling them into a book to gift his children. The notes included reflections on how to be a decent person, how he overcame the poverty and adversity of his upbringing, and how his mindfulness-based business advice helped him build one of the biggest and most successful car dealership groups in North America. We spent two years poring through his soulful notes together and ultimately shaping them into a beautiful collection that anyone can benefit from reading. Martin Luther King III found these Notes for the Children so inspiring, that he offered to write The Forward.
Suzanne Jones
“Gail has been my developmental editor on both of my books. She has a way of knowing what is in my heart and what it was trying to be expressed. With both books, she offered her brilliant expertise and gave me the compassionate and empathetic support I needed to put her wisdom to practice. I owe the beauty of my books to Gail."
by Suzanne Jones
there is nothing to fix
Gold Medal, Independent Publishing Book Award
International Book Award Finalist
Silver Medal, Nonfiction Book Awards
Independent Author Network Book of the Year Award Finalist
Bronze Medal, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Suzanne Jones
“Gail has been my developmental editor on both of my books. She has a way of knowing what is in my heart and what it was trying to be expressed. With both books, she offered her brilliant expertise and gave me the compassionate and empathetic support I needed to put her wisdom to practice. I owe the beauty of my books to Gail."
by Suzanne Jones
From the flood
Gold Medal, Nonfiction Book Awards
American Writing Awards Finalist
Bronze Medal, The Bookfest Awards
Shelf Unbound 2022 Best Indie Book Award, Notable Indie
lisa thompson
Gail possesses a remarkable capacity to listen deeply and guide you to uncover heartfelt meaning in your words. Her adept understanding of my unique voice and vision, along with her extensive expertise, instilled instant confidence in her guidance. She was able to extract from me insights and details that I wouldn’t have otherwise uncovered. She allowed me to grow as a writer while maintaining the integrity of my ideas. Finding Elevation wouldn’t be the same memoir without her help.
by Lisa Thompson
FINDING ELEVATION
Defiance led Lisa Thompson to the male-dominated world of mountain climbing. But after battling breast cancer, she needed to understand the motivations behind the risks she took while climbing. Finding Elevation is more than her climbing memoir -- It is an examination of the human spirit and motivation.
lisa reddick
"Whether I was visioning in her studio or engaging my writing with her during a phone meeting, Gail’s clarity and insight inspired a powerful synthesis of transcribing my vision into an authentic outcome."
by Lisa Reddick
The same river
2019 Nautilius Book Awards Silver Winner in Fiction
louise braun frank
“I am so grateful for the help and guidance of Gail. She helped me further expose the many gifts and teachings of my journey. From the first moment we spoke, she understood my passion for guiding others through the process of loss and grief and helped me bring out those teaching moments.”
by Louise Braun Frank
The gift of great sorrow
International Book Award Winner
suzanne anderson
by Suzanne Anderson
you make your path by walking
Gail has been my book whisperer/editor for my past two books. In my first book, The Way of the Mysterial Woman, she gathered up the many chapters my co-author and I had written and pruned and reorganized them so that our book began to have coherence, flow and greater impact. Her fierce, graceful candor and ability to hold the book’s purpose helped us make hard decisions about what to include and what to release to the cutting room floor.
As a guide on my recent memoir, You Make Your Path by Walking, Gail’s gift for empathetic presence was especially appreciated and allowed me to bring my vulnerable stories to the page. With both books, Gail’s capacity for deep listening called out my true voice and encouraged me to stand in my own knowing. If you are ready to offer the gift of your story or your true knowing to the world, I would highly recommend Gail as your ally.
A 2023 finalist for the prestigious Best Book Award.
This honor is a testament to the power of Suzanne's writing, which delves courageously into the aftermath of her husband's suicide. It's a powerful read that tells a dramatic story while also offering groundbreaking and soulful advice from an evolutionary perspective.
jaime andrea garzot
“I’m so grateful to Gail, my developmental editor, for her valuable insights on my manuscript and for always looking out for my reader. She played an instrumental role in strengthening my manuscript and I know it wouldn’t have been as well received without her! "In addition to being an absolute pleasure to work with, I always felt that Gail was really listening to me and hearing what it was I wanted to accomplish with my book. Her suggestions on structure and content development strengthened my prose and my voice well beyond what I ever could have accomplished on my own."
by Jamie Andrea Garzot
unconvetional
2022 Grand Prize Finalist for The Eric Hoffer Award
2022 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite
2022 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite
2022 First Horizon Award Finalist
susan lax
“From day one Gail understood my writing language. She held my hand, heard my heart, and guided me with professionalism and compassion. Her gentle mentoring and coaching were full of wisdom and knowledge that helped me create A Heart's Landscape. Gail's dedication to working with me made a collection of “Morning Inspirations” come to life. I was privileged to have her by my side."
by Susan Lax
A Heart's Landscape
A book pick by Robin Roberts on Good Morning America and featured in Parade.com as "20 Enlightening Spiritual Books for When You're Searching for Hope and Strength"
suzanne anderson
Gail has been my book whisperer/editor for my past two books. In my first book, The Way of the Mysterial Woman, she gathered up the many chapters my co-author and I had written and pruned and reorganized them so that our book began to have coherence, flow and greater impact. Her fierce, graceful candor and ability to hold the book’s purpose helped us make hard decisions about what to include and what to release to the cutting room floor.
As a guide on my recent memoir, You Make Your Path by Walking, Gail’s gift for empathetic presence was especially appreciated and allowed me to bring my vulnerable stories to the page. With both books, Gail’s capacity for deep listening called out my true voice and encouraged me to stand in my own knowing. If you are ready to offer the gift of your story or your true knowing to the world, I would highly recommend Gail as your ally.
by Suzanne Anderson
the way of the mysterial woman
2016 Nautilius Book Awards Gold Winner in Non-fiction
rick quinn
"No one was more helpful in deepening my understanding of writing and expressing myself on paper than Gail Hudson. She extracted what was inside me in a manner that would make a psychotherapist green with envy. A seasoned and kind editor, Gail guided me in a professional and enthusiastic way.’”
by Rick Quinn
just like us
A riveting, personal memoir, written by an internationally-esteemed veterinarian and one of the founders of
Docs 4 Great Apes.
All book profits go to support the ongoing health of the planet's great apes and the communities that surround them..
sue brightman
"Gail’s editorial touch was everything I needed and more. She brought skillful etching to my writing, leaving it in my voice but strengthening its accessibility for the reader. In addition, she brought deep intuition and savvy to the arc of my book. I was guided to the full fruition of my book’s mission. Gail is an editorial partner in the best sense of the word."
by Sue Brightman
a call to further becoming
An Amazon #1 bestseller. A Call to Further Becoming
celebrates millions of women who are learning and living all that is possible after the age of 50.
jeannine fosca
"I am so grateful for Gail's support in helping to pull out my memories and reflections and shape them into a memoir to share with others. I found the whole experience to be therapeutic too. I know Gail's role was to coach me on writing, but her way of being so present, empathetic, and encouraging helped me to embrace myself and my life in the process of writing my story. Much love to Gail! "
By Jeannine Fosca
TRAIL OF COMPASSION
Jeannine came to me as a writing coaching client through Girl Friday Productions. She wanted me to help her start writing her memoir about living with HIV/AIDS for the past 30 years. Jeannine became infected with HIV while she was a young Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria. Though she was initially told by the medical community that she would inevitably get AIDS and die young, Jeannine defied the odds and even went on to birth two healthy children She also recounts the social shaming and stigma she’s endured being an HIV-positive woman in the nineties, but even so, she remained determined to build a life based on hope, compassion, and human service. She assembled the first draft of her resilience story with me.
Dennis Garnhum
Now that the book is published, I am able to reflect on the power Gail had in shaping my story. At public events people speak of story points that resonated with them. My proud response? “That’s Gail!” I would be reminded of the conversations we would have in which her curiosity of what I was revealing and not revealing. She drew my stories forward. Her gentle probing reminds me of a book whisper - so encouraging and not allowing me to drift away from the question at hand.
The book being a memoir, Gail was validating my writing, while she was validating my humanity. We live in separate countries and it was her ability to “get me” from so far away that enabled me to trust her so completely. It was always thrilling and confidence-building to know Gail was there for me.
I also enjoyed that Gail could see threads in my storytelling that could be gathered together. Sometimes in the moment, I might not be convinced about the weaving she suggested - but as I began to rewrite, her wisdom came through. And now I burst into a bright smile thinking of our directed conversations: warm, confident, and clear.
by Dennis Garnhum
toward beauty
Written by the acclaimed artistic director of The Grand Theatre in London, Canada. With humor and heart-wrenching storytelling, Dennis shares his quest to reawaken his authentic creativity on the Camino de Santiago in the midst of the pandemic.
Click on a book to see what award-winning published authors who have worked with Gail have said about their experience.
PUBLISHED AUTHORS
READ MORE
"Whether I was visioning in her studio or engaging my writing with her during a phone meeting, Gail’s clarity and insight inspired a powerful synthesis of transcribing my vision into an authentic outcome."
- Lisa Reddick
READ MORE
"Gail has been my developmental editor on both of my books. She has a way of knowing what is in my heart and what it was trying to be expressed."
- Suzanne Jones
READ MORE
"She offered her brilliant expertise and gave me the compassionate and empathetic support I needed to put her wisdom to practice. I owe the beauty of my books to Gail."
- Suzanne Jones
READ MORE
"Gail helped me further expose the many gifts and teachings of my journey. From the first moment we spoke, she understood my passion for guiding others through the process of loss and grief and helped me bring out those teaching moments.”
- Louise Braun Frank
READ MORE
"Gail's graceful, fierce candor allowed us to release our cherished words onto the cutting room floor. Gail’s capacity for deep listening called our true voice out and encouraged us to stand in our authority."
- Suzanne Anderson
READ MORE
"Gail’s gift for empathetic presence was especially appreciated and allowed me to bring my vulnerable stories to the page. If you are ready to offer the gift of your story or your knowing to the world, I would highly recommend Gail as your ally.”
- Suzanne Anderson
READ MORE
"Gail's suggestions on structure and content development strengthened my prose and my voice well beyond what I ever could have accomplished on my own."
- Jamie Andrea Garzot
READ MORE
"From day one Gail understood my writing language. She held my hand, heard my heart, and guided me with professionalism and compassion. Her gentle mentoring and coaching were full of wisdom and knowledge that helped me create A Heart's Landscape."
- Susan Lax
READ MORE
"No one was more helpful in deepening my understanding of writing and expressing myself on paper than Gail Hudson."
- Rick Quinn
READ MORE
"Gail’s editorial touch was everything I needed and more. She brought skillful etching to my writing, leaving it in my voice but strengthening its accessibility for the reader."
- Sue Brightman
READ MORE
"She drew my stories forward. Her gentle probing reminds me of a book whisper - so encouraging and not allowing me to drift away from the question at hand."
- Dennis Garnhum
READ MORE
Gail possesses a remarkable capacity to listen deeply and guide you to uncover heartfelt meaning in your words. Her adept understanding of my unique voice and vision, along with her extensive expertise, instilled instant confidence in her guidance.
- Lisa Thompson
READ MORE
"Gail is easy to talk to and her thoughtful insight not only helped me find words but also led me to consider deeper meanings, resulting in more impactful writing. She has an amazing ability to organize material and capture themes, which I found especially helpful."
- Patrick Priestner
READ MORE
I am so grateful for Gail's support in helping to pull out my memories and reflections and shape them into a memoir to share with others. I found the whole experience to be therapeutic too.
- Jeannine Fosca
READ MORE
"Gail was a guide, mentor, and ultimately my book midwife. I owe so much to her kind, attentive, and professional editorial guidance."
- Carol Odell
READ MORE
"There's no way this would have become a book without my gifted guide and editor, Gail Hudson."
- Wendy Jordan Saffel
READ MORE
"Gail encouraged me to write about something I had carried a lot of fear and shame about writing. That work and writing I did to process it—along with Gail’s listening and encouragement—was difference-making. "
- Shelli Johnson
READ MORE
"Gail listened closely to our goals and personal stories and helped us shape the book and write together as a team."
- The Authors
