JANIS COOKE NEWMAN

I am the author of a memoir (about adopting my son from a Russian orphanage) and two award-winning historical novels. I have also been a well-published travel writer for the past two decades. 

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Ever since I published my first book in 2001, I've been committed to helping other writers get their work out into the world. In 2009, I started the highly successful writing classes program at the San Francisco Writers Grotto, and curated them for 5 years. In 2012, I founded Lit Camp, a juried writers conference now held every year at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur. In 2020, I launched an online community for writers called Creative Caffeine Daily. 

 

I am an experienced writing coach, offering coaching packages, mentoring and editing for writers through my business, Highbeam Editorial. 

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I have also developed a series of workshops and retreats that combine mindfulness and writing, which I've taught at both Esalen and the SF Zen Center, where I practice.