I saw a quote by Brooke Hampton. It said, “I like the smell of old bookstores, coffee brewing, rainy day naps, farmhouse porches, and sunsets. I like the sweet, simple things that remind me that life doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful.”

I love this and it speaks to the part of me that dreams of being a book coach, a freelance editor, an author, and a business owner.

I reached a point in my career where the overall situation forced me to acknowledge that I am tired of reporting to supervisors and bosses who are unhappy with their job to the point they are wretched. Shit rolls downhill. It’s one thing when it’s your own shit, but when you’re stuck under someone else’s and constantly subjected to their backlash, it takes a toll. Life is strenuous enough without some grumpy jackass complicating and polluting the work environment with their constant toxicity. It made me realize that I don’t want to work for people like that anymore. I don’t want to work in a toxic environment.

So, I asked myself what do I want? I want to work with like-minded people who share a passion for words, people who have a story to tell and the spiritedness to tell it. Writing Sparkle Books—book coaching, editing and more—will be just you and me working towards the success of your manuscript in an environment that is pleasant and supportive.

Simple—it doesn’t have to be complicated.

By Shari Marshall – 2023