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WHAT OUR AUTHORS ARE SAYING
I have had the fortunate opportunity to work with Thelma a few years ago. What immediately struck me about her, apart from her vast knowledge and incredible professionalism, was her humanity. Thelma's ability to guide, mentor, listen, support and provide feedback is truly impressive. I am grateful for every insight she shared with me during the period that we worked together. I came away with a better sense of who I am as a writer. I look forward to working with Thelma again in the future.
Jeannine Ouellette, Director of Content Development and Workshop Design, Eksento Inc., Ottawa
I am grateful that Thelma saw my book sparkling deep inside my eyes. She fanned it with care and attention and we worked together to create a best seller. Thelma's honesty, editorial talent and drive helped me to realize my dream.
Lois Ferguson, Registered Professional Dietitian
Author: Eating for Energy & Ecstasy
Besides being an accomplished and articulate writer herself, Thelma Barer-Stein has offered me sensible advice, thorough and helpful editing skills, and above all, positive encouragement. Thelma truly guided me through all the rough spots of publishing my own work. Her service was prompt, professional and efficient. She is what every writer needs the most: an honest critic, a constructive and helpful editor and a good friend.
Mary Warr, Counsellor
Author: How Cancer Saved My Life: I see God!
Thelma Barer-Stein reads my work as though it really matters. Afterwards, she provides cookies and coffee while metaphorically kicking my butt with an array of comments, queries and suggestions that represent some of the most worthwhile learning moments I have experienced! Thelma has taught me much about writing and more about rendering it into print. I am grateful to her for her time and attention. And those cookies are excellent.
Michael Kompf, Ph.D. Professor, Graduate Studies in Education, Brock University. St. Catharines Ontario, Canada. Co-editor: The Craft of Teaching Adults, 3rd. Edition
In thinking about Thelma Barer-Stein as a "Book Doctor", I consider her role not so much that of one who cures literary diseases as of one who is adept at preventive medicine. Her experience as a publisher, combined with her own Ph.D. and wide-ranging personal resources gives her the ability to keep the non-fiction writer on target and on fact, while at the same time encouraging creativity.
Munroe Scott
Award-winning Author: Oh, Vulgar Wind: A sympathetic overview of the common fart
Thelma helped me to really step back from my story for the first time. Her notes were insightful, always constructive, and ... copious! A first set of notes emerged from reading my manuscript with a beginner's mind, like a reader-at-large. It was an eye-opener. Another set of notes from her second reading, more analytical, technical. What does Thelma bring to the equation? Insight, enthusiasm, grace and heaps of patience!
Sten Eirik
Author: Géline of Acadie
What I liked about the editorial services was the years of accumulated experience that Culture Concepts Books offered while working with such a wide range of manuscript content, and direct links to the publishing process. A sure winning combination!
Maurice C. Taylor, Ph.D.
Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Canada.
Co-Editor of Voices from the Literacy Field; Basic Skills for the Workplace.
Editor of: Workplace Education ; Adult Basic Literacy NOW!
After reviewing the qualifications of several other publishers, I elected to work with Culture Concepts Books for their knowledge, attention to detail and respect within the writing and publishing community. Working with them, the book sold approximately 5,000 copies on the first edition and nearly 10,000 on the second enlarged edition of my book. Quite remarkable for a first-time author!
Through the entire process, Thelma helped every step of the way, providing editing and developmental expertise and driving sales through comprehensive marketing and distribution plans like packaging my student's book with packs of Kraft Dinner!
I would not hesitate to recommend the firm to any authors or publishers for co-publishing ventures or for expertise in evaluating, developing and editing a manuscript.
Gordon D. Stein
Author: Secrets of the Successful Student
It has been a pleasure to work with Thelma Barer-Stein in the development and publication of my book. Her insight, experience and expertise have proven invaluable. Authors and publishers must listen to such a resource, since learned advice can save time and money, but most of all, can make the process of writing and publishing an enjoyable one.
James D. Stowe, D.V.M.
Author: Creature Comfort: A Veterinarian's Journal of People Caring for Pets and Pets Caring for People
I met Thelma when I was a budding food writer many years ago. Her trust and enthusiasm were a great help at that stage of my career. She subsequently published the Canadian edition of my book and arranged a publicity tour: schlepping me in her car, and holding my hand when I needed it. This, and all her kindness made us, I hope, firm friends.
When I was planning to emigrate to Canada from the U.K., she was the natural choice for a literary agent. Nothing happened of this plan, but Thelma with her characteristic energy, honesty and vast experience was always there to help, support and encourage. I have always enjoyed working with Thelma and hope to do so again.
Oded Schwartz
Author: In Search of Plenty: A History of Jewish Food with Selected Recipes
What I most treasure about working with Thelma is her creativity, sense of humour and energy that she consistently brings to the editing process. Her enthusiasm and encouragement lighten the strains and stresses of revision.
Glenda Lewe
Co-editor: Basic Skills for the Workplace
I met Dr. Barer-Stein during the summer of 2004 when I had about 30 pages of manuscript. After my first consultation session with her, Dr. Barer-Stein guided me, step by step, offering wonderful suggestions and much insight into the book-publishing industry. I was thoroughly amazed by her professionalism, expertise and especially her friendliness. She made me feel like I am more than a client, always encouraging me and giving me friendly tips. Thanks to her wonderful guidance, I was able to complete my 220-page-long manuscript in about six months. It has been a great pleasure to work with her and I feel truly fortunate to have met her. I would like to take this occasion to express my heart-felt gratitude to Dr. Barer-Stein! This is truly how I feel. I talked to my uncle/taichi master and he said also that there is no coincidence in the world... So maybe it was not a coincidence that I met you.
Victor Kim
Author: "The Cosmic Autumn"
As an editor, Thelma has been a good friend in the sense that she is both sensitive and objective. She is sensitive to the nuance of meaning while objective about style. Through working with her on my book, I feel I have gained a friend.
Ron Cowen
Interpersonal Enlightenment: A Path to Love and Friendship
I had been given the perhaps misguided advice that finding an agent was more difficult than finding a publisher. However, Thelma proved this myth to be wholly untrue. I approached her via email in the summer of 2003, and she immediately responded with much enthusiasm about my book's subject and scope.
Due to my then busy life with two children under two, she generously allowed me to engage in the back and forth banter required of an author/agent agreement electronically. This negotiation went as smooth as silk, and I found Thelma to be very flexible and responsive during this process. I did not actually meet Thelma face to face until six months following my entry into this agreement.
Thelma has been a very warm, nurturing mentor to me. She has taught me much about how the publishing industry works, in the midst of discovering what a neophyte I was at this, having never written a book before, nor having had much success finding a publisher on my own. Consistent with her vast experience in education, Thelma has not erected deadlines for me, and simply allows me to work at my own pace.
She gave me her honest and thorough manuscript evaluation in the fall of 2004 after I handed in (what I thought) was my completed manuscript. She has shown me that working on, refining, and polishing my work is something that is both possible, and desirable. Somehow, she inspires me to settle for nothing less. I have appreciated her honesty, and quite frankly, would not have wanted anything else from her. She is compassionate about what it takes to go back and look at a work again with different lenses, a renewed perspective, and a critical eye. I definitely believe that this working relationship will bear the fruit of a publisher hopefully some time in 2005. I highly recommend Thelma both for her expertise as an editor, and as a person whom anyone would dream to have as a mentor. I feel so blessed to have found her during this arduous journey, and equally proud of the work I have managed to generate under her watchful tutelage.
Teresa Eaton, BSc., MRT(N), Bed.
(Manuscript in process)
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