My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Katie Chambers, owner of Beacon Point Services, helping Indie authors write with power. With a passion for words, a gift for teaching, and a flair for dynamic speaking, Katie brings clarity and energy to every conversation. She’s the owner of Beacon Point, where she and her team help indie authors polish both fiction and nonfiction. Katie is equally passionate about helping authors strengthen their writing and guiding freelance editors to streamline and grow their businesses through practical tools, webinars, and resources.

Here is what Katie says in her own words: I’m Katie Chambers, an organizational expert, former English teacher, and editing agency owner who helps editors run their businesses with ease and authors write with power. As the founder of Beacon Point, I lead a team of editors polishing both fiction and nonfiction, and I teach the craft of writing with the same clarity and energy that once earned me the title “best English teacher” a principal had ever seen.

After becoming a mom, I had to reimagine my career, and editing became my second act. Within three months of working with Self-Publishing School authors, I was named their top preferred editor. Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of authors sharpen their writing and bring their message to life. Whether it’s writing structure, revision strategies, character development, or crafting compelling nonfiction, I love making the writing process feel less mysterious and more empowering.

But I don’t just edit—I teach. I’ve been called the "admin queen" by editors I mentor and a "favorite conference speaker" for making business systems actually fun. I help freelance editors and creative solopreneurs streamline their workflow, manage clients with confidence, and finally stop drowning in email.

I’m also a full-time mom and full-time business owner, so I speak honestly about the messy balance of running a business while raising a family, and how to build systems that support your life, not the other way around.

I don’t believe in gatekeeping. I believe in lighting the way. I help authors shine like a beacon.

Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1

Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290

You can follow Katie Chambers

Website: https://beaconpointservices.org

LinkedIn: @Katie Chambers

YouTube: @beaconpoint8734

Suggested books for indie authors on editing:

Understanding Show, Don't Tell: And Really Getting It by Janice Hardy: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3SkmLzl Kindle: https://amzn.to/4krbN74

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3FnUogM Kindle: https://amzn.to/43pRRus

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

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*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Michelle O'Neil, author of the book Dog Park. Michelle also authored the memoir Daughter of the Drunk at the Bar. She has a background as a freelance writer in Washington DC, and her work has been featured in Literary Mama, Brain Child, Age of Autism, The Bark!, Cool Cleveland, and other publications. She is an RN, BSN, and teaches yoga in a large retirement community in SC.

In her book review, guest-host Carole O’Neill stated Dog Park: Tales of Heartbreak, Laughter, Community and Hope is a wonderful contemporary fiction. You don’t even have to like dogs to enjoy this book. Every time I drive by the dog park in our neighborhood, I try to imagine the stories playing out among the owners.

Michelle has captured the socialization happening within those fences. From widows using the park to prevent an otherwise lonely afternoon, to the young girl escaping the abuse of her father, each story will make you realize there is more going on than what first meets the eye. The optimism, strength and sadness I read about throughout the book gave me a new outlook on the pet owners who spend time at the park – an actual community behind the gate.

O’Neil’s characters are engaging, full of engaging backstories. I haven’t had a dog for many years, but this book has given me a reason to revisit that decision.

Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1

Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290

You can follow Author Michelle O'Neil

Website: michelleoneilauthor.com

IG: @michelleoneilauthor

TikTok: @michelleoneilauthor

FB: @Michelle O'Neil, Writer

Purchase Dog Park on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/43U2UMO

Ebook: https://amzn.to/4dX3lKL

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

#michelleoneil #dogpark #contemporaryfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.