About J.A.Howard

My initial stab at writing was a giant success. In first grade, I wrote a story that won the school writing competition. My prize? a five dollar gift certificate to Baskin Robbins (I bought a mocha almond fudge log cake and wouldn’t share it with my brother).

My story? It centered on a nameless horse who lived all alone in a corral. Nobody ever came to visit her and she was lonely, eating the grass along side the ring all day long. One day, she found some magic flowers and ate them, turned into a flying unicorn pegasus and flew away….all psychoanalysis aside, I thought it was a pretty good story.  I continued to write, always naturally gravitating toward books and literary theory. I received my B.A. in English Literature in May, 2000 from the University of Colorado and embarked on a decade long quest to live life and write about it. I hiked in the high Andes of South America, cycled down the Pacific Coast with all my belongings strapped to my back like some mechanical turtle, traipsed through Europe drinking Pilsner with thumbless retired Czech mill workers, rock climbed my way across America, interned on the highest altitude organic farm in North America, and bartended in the French Quarter of New Orleans. I wrote short stories and a novel and discovered another passion of mine, editing.

For the last seven years I have made my living editing manuscripts and articles, freelance writing, content editing, tutoring, transcribing and proofreading. When I am not working like crazy helping others create the perfect manuscript, thesis, website, essay, newsletter, or brochure, I love to garden, read, hike, travel, and climb. I am also a darned good baker–I like to create recipes and my top three favorites are: Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Torte, Peaches and Cream Tarte, and Roasted Grape Marscapone Pie.

Special to me: hanging out with my four year old nephew Erick, practicing Kundalini yoga, cycling the back roads around Boulder, nagging my friends to take me rock climbing, planning adventures, and creating  gardens that are beautiful to look at and good to eat!