Award-winning author and publishing consultant Kathy Sparrow is Toluca Lake’s resident literary midwife, guiding both skilled and fledgling writers through the laborious undertaking of bringing their stories to life.
“Writing is a vulnerable process. We expose our innermost thoughts and feelings to our audience. Many doubts and fears arise in writing a book or even a blog,” Sparrow says. “Questions like ‘Who will read this? Who am I to be writing this book?’ often stop us from pursuing our writing dreams. So a big part of what I do as a literary midwife is holding space for my clients and their vision as they move past their insecurities, procrastination and distractions.”
Through her coaching business, A Writable Life, Sparrow helps writers explore their creativity and develop and polish their manuscripts for publication. In her one-to-one program, she taps into her 30 years of industry experience to lead clients through the process from start to finish — from first drafts and revisions to marketing and promotion. For clients who have an idea for a book but no time or inclination to write, Sparrow collaborates with them via her ghostwriting service.
“Each time a client completes a book and holds it in their hands is a cause for celebration,” she says. “I know what it’s like to overcome fears, distractions and self-doubt to achieve a publishing goal. It’s a huge feat. I’m honored to be a part of their journeys.”
Furthermore, Sparrow facilitates a variety of courses at retreats and virtually on Zoom, including “Jumpstart Your Book: Five Steps to Overcome Overwhelm and Confusion — and Finally Begin Writing” and “Create a Marketing Plan to Sell Your Book.” She is also an instructor at National University, where she teaches a student body of mostly veterans and military personnel to gain confidence as writers and critical thinkers.
In addition to her extensive experience in traditional publishing and her commitment to continually expanding her skill set, Sparrow distinguishes herself from other consultants in her field by being a practicing writer. Her works include The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout, which draws on her experiences from her “past life” as the owner and manager of a fly-fishing lodge in South Texas, and Stanky and Cece Adventures, a children’s book series that teaches lessons about making good decisions, building confidence and showing respect for oneself and others.
“I feel so blessed to do the work I love. I live a writable life. I get to work with words every day,” she adds. “I co-create with beautiful people who want to make a positive difference in this world. Our stories do that.”
When Sparrow isn’t coaching or writing, she’s enjoying the walkable, tree-lined streets of Toluca Lake, her home since June 2023. She also loves meeting with friends and clients at her favorite local haunts, The Front Yard, Aeirloom Bakery and Red Maple. She remarks that there’s an undercurrent of creativity that flows through the neighborhood. “The energy of Warner Bros., Universal and Disney infuses the community with the possibility of imagination,” she says. “I tap into that, and by doing so, I can bring that energy to my own writing and to my clients.”