about

Meet Melissa

Welcome to the Foggy Bottom Bookery! I’m Melissa and I’ve worked for the last 20+ years in the publishing industry as a ghostwriter, managing editor, print/digital marketing strategist, and publishing consultant. And now, I’m taking all of my experience and sharing it with you.

Hello, my friend!

I’m so glad you’re here.

Over the past two decades, I’ve been immersed in the fascinating world of words. With degrees in both Journalism and English, I embarked on my professional journey in corporate America, channeling my passion for marketing and storytelling into various roles. For 10 years, I thrived in the corporate landscape, blending my skills in branding and corporate marketing, editorial management, and content curation for clients such as Coco-Cola, Home Depot, Xerox, Kodak, Carrier, Universal Studios, and Disney.

In 2001, I transitioned into the publishing and editorial field with my first position as a strategies editor. I then spent two years serving on a media and mobilization marketing matrix for an international non-profit before taking over as editor-in-chief of a children’s magazine.

Looking to broaden my skillset and challenge myself in the editorial world, I accepted a position as Senior Copyeditor of Publishing for an internationally-known television/radio personality and New York Times bestselling author. Working as his ghostwriter, editor, and liaison with publishers in New York, I learned a great deal about creating and curating content that would help meet the needs of a broad and diverse audience. As the landscape evolved and changed, I took what I learned in that role and applied it to the new and emerging world of social media, spending many years creating, strategizing, and managing online/digital content across many social media platforms for my employer while still ghostwriting and editing his books.

I truly believe that each of us has been positioned on earth with gifts and talents to use in helping and encouraging others. I’ve reached the point in my career where it’s time to share all of my experience with a new audience—the next generation of writers who will entertain, help, and change the world. I look forward to bringing you all I’ve learned in the marketing and publishing industries to help you create, polish, and market the books you’ve always wanted to write.

years in the book business
NYT Bestsellers
manuscripts & books edited
cups of coffee (& counting)

Get to Know Me — Summer Edition


COFFEE ORDER

Iced Vanilla Latte

What I’m reading

Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” and Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina”

on weekends you’ll find me

Hiking the mountain near my house, antiquing for forgotten finds, and flipping through a stack of books and magazines at Barnes & Noble

I couldn’t live without

My fluffy white pup, Lexie the Tzu … and an ice cold fountain Dr. Pepper

Morning person or night owl?

Hoot-hoot!

Currently binging

“The House of the Dragon”, “Widow’s Bay”, and the entire filmography of Bette Davis (I’m obsessed!)

favorite travel destinations

The Appalachian Mountains, Charleston, the Carolina Low Country, and sailing around the Caribbean

great advice i’ve received

“Don’t spend your life building someone else’s dream … believe in yourself enough to build your own.”

FAQ

I have worked in and around the publishing industry my entire career. However, I began officially working in the publishing industry in 2001 when I began working as a Strategies Editor for a national non-profit. When I transitioned into the role of editor-in-chief for an international children’s magazine, I worked within the children’s publishing industry and attended all of its regional conferences looking for freelance writers and illustrators for the magazine. And in 2008, I began to work fully in the publishing industry with the “Big 5” publishers in New York (as well as many mid-sized publishing companies and imprints) as a ghostwriter and managing editor for an international TV and radio personality.

Absolutely! Seeing your book published is my passion … and seeing you build your unique author brand is my mission. Feel free to check out my self-paced Courses & Guides, as well as all of my coaching, writing, editing, and marketing services by clicking here.

There are many writing softwares to choose from and each have their merits. I’ve used just about all of them in my writing career, but I find I navigate back to my old “tried and trues”—my Mac laptop and a simple version of Microsoft Word. Feel free to check out my Resources page to research all of the best writing softwares available today to find the perfect fit for you and your writing journey.

Visit my Resources page where you’ll find links to the top publishers of 2026, top online book clubs, the best writing resources I’ve found on the web and—you guessed it—my favorite places to shop for books online. Click here to learn more!

You can visit my Services page to learn more about my current offerings for 2026, the Shop for my latest self-paced courses and guides, or email me at hello@foggybottombookery.com. You can also visit my Contact page … simply fill out the form and hit “Submit”. I’ll be in touch soon!

looking for a new book?


What’s Stacked on My Shelves

I’m turning pages …

Welcome to the cozy corner of my little book nook! As someone who’s spent years editing, crafting, and polishing stories, my shelves are always brimming with new reads—and trust me, they’re never boring! Lately, I’ve been lost in the worlds of mind-boggling mysteries, frightening thrillers, gothic haunts, witchy reads, classic tales, and historical fiction. These give me the perfect blend of intrigue, endless chills, and timeless storytelling (because, let’s face it … who doesn’t love a good plot twist or haunted manor?!). If these genres are calling your name—or you’re simply looking for a fresh page-turner—take a look at what’s currently keeping me up at night.

Let’s Work Together

Interested in leveling up? I’d love to connect!