Jumpstart Your Book
Aspiring Authors Retreat

Literary Midwife Kathy Sparrow is an award-winning author, ghostwriter, and publishing consultant who has mentored aspiring -fiction, fiction, and poetry writers for over two decades. Many have penned bestselling books because of her book coaching services. Known as a “behind-the-scenes secret weapon” to thought leaders, Kathy specializes in the areas of self-development, leadership, and memoir. She was recently named one of the “Top 15 Book Coaches to Watch in 2023” by LA Weekly.

Kathy is the co-author and project lead of Ignite Your Leadership: Proven Tools to Energize Teams, Fuel Momentum, and Accelerate Results. Her novel, The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout, is touted as the feminine version of A River Runs Through It. She is the co-author of the children’s books Stanky & Cece: Break the Rules (2022) and Stanky & Cece: Out of Control (2023). She has ghostwritten books and blogs on personal growth, professional development, and leadership, including The Precipice of Life: Leadership and Personal Growth Insights from a Mountaineer’s Edge.

Throughout her career, she has worked with traditional publishers such as IDG Press (the former For Dummies publisher), Master’s Press, Wish Publishing, ARE Press, and others. Her work as a journalist has also appeared in Saltwater Fly Fishing, Indianapolis Woman, Indiana Business Magazine, E-magazine, Hudson Valley Magazine, and many more. A university professor, she has taught writing in first-year writing programs, sophomore literature, theatre, and marketing for authors.   

Kathy has studied transformational methodologies with Jack Canfield, founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul and author of The Success Principles, Dr. Deb Sandella of The RIM® Institute, Laurie Seymour of The Baca Institute, and Renee Moorefield of Wisdom Works. She is a Certified Canfield Trainer in The Success Principles and Canfield Methodologies, Certified Be Well Lead Well Pulse® Guide, and Master RIM® facilitator. Kathy relies on the science of success tools to assist her clients in overcoming obstacles and mindset limitations that prevent them from sharing their wisdom with the world. She holds a master’s degree in English with a concentration in literature and cultural studies.

Kathy enjoys yoga, hot indoor cycling, hiking, fly fishing, and adventures with her partner and family. She spends her time in LA and San Diego, and you can also find her in Colorado, Mexico, Costa Rica—or wherever her travels take her.

Her websites are: www.kathysparrow.com and www.awritablelife.com.