Category Archives: Uncategorized

I wrote this poem years ago, about my father, Joseph Serra. Sharing this again today, on his birthday. He would have been 98. We were blessed with his gregarious, loyal and brave presence until he was almost 83. He did … Continue reading →

View at Medium.com Christmas Sweaters for Congress. Bah humbug is too strong a word for my feelings about the holiday season. I don’t hate it, I just have a few things I enjoy and a whole lot about it I … Continue reading →

I recently went on a yoga/writing/living retreat called On Being Human, run by the fabulous Jen Pastiloff.   Below is a piece I wrote, reflecting on this wonderful experience.  Photo credit for almost the photos goes to the amazingly talented … Continue reading →

I was thrilled to offer a guest post on this really beautiful blog today, about combating the stigma of mental illness through fiction writing. Choices Blog, Madeline Sharples Fiction: another way to erase stigma My guest today, Joanell Serra, explores … Continue reading →

“What’s Your Book About?” I get this question a lot. I know I’m supposed to have an elevator speech all lined up. At publishing conferences over the years, folks drilled this into me. “Know your pitch! Have your tag line … Continue reading →

  Jennifer Golick’s office held small toys, silly comics, stress balls and board games to put her clients at ease. She said things in a straight forward, I’m–not-kidding kind of way. At the same time she made folks feel people … Continue reading →

Last Thursday, I spent the day at Mt. Zion/UCSF Hospital, for a myriad of appointments (all fine. Diagnosis= aging.)  I’m a well experienced medical appointment attendee: my mother had a chronic illness from the time I was born until she … Continue reading →