Ina The Memoir Coach
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Books by Our Authors

Books by Our Authors

Talented Writers with whom Coach Ina is Proud to Work!


Fro'The Potato' to Star Trek and Beyond, Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist. Author Chester (Chet) L. Richards
See Chet and Ina 
Streaming: TheBookFest.com, podcasts and radio

Live: The LA Times Festival of Books
Stories and more from Chet

From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond

Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist
Author Chester  L. Richards
Narrow escapes from bouts with The Potato were just the beginning.
Having had a number of odd brushes with death, Author Chet Richards has always boldly gone where few have dared. His mantra: view all that comes your way — the good, the terrifying, and the ugly — as a series of adventures. Here are a few snippets:
“It took much practice, and many accidents, before I got the hang of it. Even then, The Potato, in its death throes, did not always behave as a Proper Sacrifice should and blazing hot molten lead would explode out from the bubbling caldron.” From The Potato

READ MORE ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE BOOK
  • “He swung his rifle around and pointed it towards my belly, his finger nervous on the trigger. I froze.” From Land of Troubles
  •  “One day, Judy and I were taken for a walk. We wandered around for a bit, climbed a narrow flight of stairs and were ushered into the Sanctum Sanctorum. There, waiting for us, was Gene Roddenberry.” From Star Trek
  •  “My last vision of the raft, before I was driven to the black bottom of the silty river, was of Terry, half overboard, his outside leg caught between a maverick oar and the side of the boat. The gnawing jaw of the vise had trapped his leg, and was locked tight by the pressure of the current.” From Lava Falls
  •  “‘Three...two...one...fire!”…Hisssss…Pop! ‘Uh, oh!’ said the technician as the meters all swung to zero and red lights lit up down the length of the long control panel. My signals also had disappeared…‘We just blew up the [rocket engine] test stand.’” From Rocket Science
  • The loss of the love of his life, Sarah, knocked the stuffing out of Chet initially. But writing these, the stories she loved, brought him back. May reading them bring you the zest for life the author regained from recalling them.
Buy now from Amazon
Buy now from BN.com
Available everywhere you buy books online now! Or ask at your favorite bookstore.
Early Praise
a fine musician, a rocket scientist, a wonderful writer and an adventurer
“What can I tell you about my friend of decades, Chet Richards? He’s a fine musician, a rocket scientist, a wonderful writer and an adventurer, but most of all, he married well.”
--Marilyn Scott-Waters, writer and illustrator. Her works include, The Toymaker: Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself, Haunted Histories, The Search For Vile Things.

I was so moved from the first words
“I was so moved from the first words, how the author wrote these stories as a tribute to his wife, and as a way to heal after she died. What a wonderful way to deal with the pain so many of us experience. And the Star Trek story – really interesting to see how the process in Hollywood works. And the story of The Potato, and all the other adventures that kept almost killing him, and the rocket science stories. I loved those…as a former technologist, I’m always interested in knowing how science works.”
--Mary Kenner, Associate Editor, RKEdit, retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist II

What a beautiful book!
I returned to Solvang yesterday, following a three week absence, to find a copy of Chet's book. I could hardly wait to read it, and started flipping through some of the stories immediately. A modern epic!"
- Jeffery J. Puschell, Ph.D.
   Chief Scientist, Space Systems, Raytheon Intelligence & Space Division
   AIAA Fellow   (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
   S
PIE Fellow  (Society of Photo Instrumentation Engineers)
    NASA ESTO IRIS Principal Investigator

I Would Highly Reommend  From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond
“The book is informative, even educational, but author Chet Richards maintains a friendly, conversational tone throughout. The stories were a definite surprise. Who knew that this mild-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman I’ve known for years had so many harrowing adventures, and was so accomplished in the scientific community? If there is a lesson to be learned from these pages, it’s that everyone should get to know the people in their lives on a deep level, especially the mild-mannered, soft-spoken ones. Chet’s book made me look back at my own life and consider what experiences I have had that might be as interesting to others. Personally, I would never visit a country whose army actively reduces its population. For better or worse, the number of harrowing moments I’ve had are much scarcer.  (Be on the lookout early next year for my autobiographical pamphlet.)
“Happy Reading!”
--Steve Pastis, Author, Fables for the Clarinet, Elk and Penguin Stories, Ten Good Reasons to Fix that Airplane. Writer/Editor The Good Life publication for seniors. Chet’s Friend

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A poet's hiking vacation turns deadly in soaring Mojave heat; his true survival story leaves you with chills. Rosenthal’s shocking ordeal was covered by The Discovery Channel and on "Fight to Survive" with Bear Grylls.

Salvation Canyon: A True Story of Desert Survival in Joshua Tree

Ed Rosenthal. 
Story Development Editor Coach Ina
A real estate broker in Downtown Los Angeles, Ed Rosenthal's passion is poetry, writing about the historic buildings he sells and advocates to preserve. He hates slumlords, is fed up with his buyers, and finally escapes to the Mojave to bathe at a natural spring and take his favorite hiking trip in Joshua Tree National Park. But his vacation soon turns into a nightmare. Over six grueling days without water, food, or hope, he discovers a well of perseverance in the snippets of his life that play over the deadly but inspiring landscape, in which he finds himself utterly and inexplicably lost.

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The God of Random Chance has, despite his best efforts his whole life, finally caught up to him. He describes his ordeal and its setting in intimate, vivid detail: surreal visions mix with wayfinding and intuitive wisdom in a poet’s-eye view of the life-lessons and magic that the desert can hold.
Look Inside                    Buy the Book

Gene Zahn's 'Of Politics, Ladies and Bagels: Poetry Provacative and Punny' will delight you, inspire you, and make you smile.Poetry political, at times couched as a bagel -- or potato, with many an homage to the fair sex, and a touch of the randy. Click the book to find out more, buy or download your copy.

Of Politics, Ladies and Bagels

Of Politics, Ladies and Bagels
Poetry Provocative and Punny

Gene Zahn
Edited by Coach Ina. Published by Pawpress
“Gene Zahn's poems are a sweet reminder of a time, not so long ago, when the world felt less complicated, our relationships seemed more meaningful, our communication more heartfelt. I pick up his book and read a few of them whenever I need a good dose of that...or just a good chuckle.”
Sam Rose, TV Producer and writer, author of “The Way Back - Heal Your Self, Heal The World”

Excerpts, More Reviews, Buy the Book, About the Author

Alon Mintz, 'Wine, Women, Whispers,' The story of a man who was kidnapped - twice - a lover of wine, women and life.
Wine, Women, Whispers....Tales by a master storyteller who was kidnapped, twice, was almost killed by the best hospital in London…A boxer...Serial entrepreneur... Lover of ladies, food and wine
Wine, Women, Whispers
By Alon Mintz, a.k.a. Rocky Mintziano,  Adam Savage, Ali Mintez, et. al.
Edited and published by Coach Ina

"Wine, Women, Whispers is about a quirky and very interesting man of the world...I loved the homage to his mother, which is very tender. The makes me want to know more about the author -- whether he is called Alon Mintz (his given name), Rocky Mintziano, Adam Savage, Adam Stephens, or Ali Mintz. His crazy and not so crazy escapades are fun to read, and make me kind of envious that I haven't done half the things he has in his lifetime."
Susan Pinkus, Former Director, Los Angeles Times Polls
Excerpts, more reviews  Buy the Book
You can read a comment from Alon about working with Ina here


Go East, Young Man, Go East, by Alan Tichenor. Edited and published by Ina Hillebrandt
Memoirs of the early days of oil, penned by a man with a keen wit and eye for history
The Cat wrote a lovely tribute to the coach...for which she is very grateful.
Buy the book
Go East, Young Man, Go East
By Charles Alan Tichenor
Edited by Coach Ina
Absorbing glimpses into history in the making...from an eyewitness to the Oil Boom
Dr. Tichenor, a.k.a. "The Cat," or "Unk," begins with life as he lived it in 1920's America, moving ever eastward to the Middle East mid-century, where he was sent as a minister to work with the Aramco flock. Today called Saudi Aramco, the oil giant is the largest in the world...and it all began with secret treaties, a Saudi American partnership, a benevolent king, somewhat reluctant Bedouins, camels, and black gold....

 Read Excerpts    
Once I started I didn't Want To  stop
A great book for people who are interested in current affairs, historians, anyone interested in history. 
-- Larry N. Beard, Col. (Ret.) US Army

I would definitely recommend this book
I liked reading about the religions and his connections with them, the history...the humor that lies beneath his words.
--Christine Nodine, Bishop, CA

This is Fascinating.
...I couldn't put it down! I kept wanting to learn more.
-Howard Westley, Re. WWII and commercial pilot, member of Aviation Pioneers


Books of poems from a master,  Chrystine Julian
Wild carpet rides that enchant poets and civilians alike.
Edited by Coach Ina

Sensual Spirit
Poetry and thoughts from the place where body and soul meet

Sensual Spirit, By Chrystine Julian
'What a rapturous book!' Gayle Brandeis, author of 'Fruitflesh, Seeds of Inspiration for Women that Write,' 'Self-Storage,' and Bellwether Prize winner, 'Book of Dead Birds.'
Excerpts
BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON

Meandering Mindfulness

Poetry from the place where wander and wonder merge

'Meandering Mindfulness,' by Chrystine Julian
Once again Chrystine Julian paints a colorful world of the sensual, spiritual, political and this time, the 'silly.' A book that appeals both to seasoned poets and those who usually read prose.
Excerpts
BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON
You can read Chrystine's comments about working with Coach Ina here.
Thanks, Chrystine. It's always a joy working with you and your sparkling, mystical mind.



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Click the cover to read excerpts and reviews, or to buy or post your own review!

Broken Whole, A California Tale of Craziness, Creativity and Chaos

Keith Adams
A very brave undertaking, "Broken Whole" provides the reader with a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a man who has been to hell and back. Author Keith Adams, a highly accomplished man, tells of the time he slipped into delusions of grandeur alternating with fits of deep despair, and slowly found his way through the chaos. A tale that inspires, poignant and relevant in today's manic depressive times.
You can read Keith's comments about working with Coach Ina here. Thanks, Keith, for the kind words.

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The Angel Chronicles by J.K. Johnson is a captivating mystery/romance with a connection to the other world that readers say heals, too.
About The Angel Chronicles...
One day J.K. Johnson’s mom committed suicide in front of her eyes. The 35 year old author went into a daze after the coroner took the body away. It’s all a blur now, but she knows she had a serious automobile accident, driving while drunk. For the next six years of her life, J.K. found herself behind bars because of the severity of the injury to the other driver. The story in this book began the day all this took place. Every day of those six years behind bars, the lines of the mystery/romance, with an otherworldly connection, were channeled to her, and she wrote them down, often on toilet paper. And every night the other inmates would listen anxiously for the next installment…
Read excerpts here

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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkSp5l2L9-E  We are happy to introduce you to Kay Roberts, one of our most talented writers. Left, see her reading selections she wrote for her own memoir. The first begins, "I was born on the day they issued the repeal on Prohibition..."
The "Stories From The Heart" series.
Compilations of tales written by members of Coach Ina's Footprints Writing Clubs, these volumes take the reader from a lion's mouth in India during the time of the Raj, to the American midwest, where one of our authors was taught to steal coal by his parents during the Depression. Incidentally, his parents were Armenian, and escaped from the bloodbath there in 1915. From these tales to weathering the Holocaust in Poland to collecting shells on the beach in Santa Monica, CA., you'll find stories that are whimsical, poignant, vivid portraits of times past and present, written by a fascinating group of people.
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Captivating true life stories, plus imaginative tales about the fictional pussycats of Earl Boretz, first-time author, former engineer

"These stories are so much fun! And they make me think, 'I can do that!'"
Sarah French, New York


Read stories by authors of the book

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Read what authors in the
"Stories From The Heart" books say about participating in Coach Ina's workshops


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Poignant, funny, tender, frightening and insightful memories narrated in the distinctive voices of Angelenos originally from a range of contents, countries and times

"The section I most enjoyed was a few punning stories about cats by the late Earl Boretz, which were most amusing. His characters include Count Fe-Line, the cat burglar in Pussy Footin’ Around; Sinister, the three-legged pirate cat and Sorrowful, the witch...Overall, an entertaining collection."
Cecilia Blight, Nelm News, newsletter of The National English Literary Museum,  Grahamstown, S. Africa

Back cover
Excerpts

NEW! VIDEOS OF AUTHORS READING AT ICE CREAM SOCIAL
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More Enchanting Memoirs and Imagination Tools to Help You Write Your Own Enchanting Memoirs

"This book is so good...the Pawprints (now Footprints) writing group creates a sense of community, which people lack these days.  People get to tell their stories -- that's the best thing.  And the book is beautiful.  With the book, the website where I read some of the stories first, altogether, what a great service!"
Diane Slade, artist and therapist, Napa, CA

Read Excerpts
Back cover

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Contact Ina to find out more about how the Coach can help you with editing, publishing and marketing services for your memoir, book of poetry, or novel.
Testimonials


Website, stories, videos, photos, audios and tools © 2010 Ina Hillebrandt ꟾ Updated regularly
Revised 2021. Updated March 2022
.
Some stories copyright by individual authors. Please do not share any material as is, or altered, re-packaged in any way. Short excerpts for review purposes only permitted. For other reprint information, please contact us.
  • Home
  • Services
    • Memoir and Fiction Writers' Services
    • Performance
    • Workshops and Appearances >
      • Footprints Memoir Workshop
    • Speaker Services
    • Educators' Services
    • Virtual and Other Options to Work With Coach Ina
    • Ask the Coach!
    • NEW! Momoirs
  • Books and Tools
    • You Are Who You Eat
    • How to Write Your Memoirs
    • Books by Our Authors
    • Ina's Weird Prompts
    • How to Get Reviews
    • Stories by our Authors
    • More Tools 'n Gifts to aMUSE the Writer in You
  • Testimonials
  • About Coach Ina
  • Press Room
  • Contact Us
    • Submit a Story
  • Blog