About Diane O’Connell
 
Diane grew up on Long Island. As far back as she can remember she was passionate about books. When her brother’s girlfriend gave her a full set of Nancy Drew books, she was in heaven, staying up long past her bedtime, reading under the covers with a flashlight so she wouldn’t be discovered. (Yes, clichés do have real origins.)

 Youthful Dreams
Throughout her youth, Diane wanted to be many things when she grew up: an artist, a journalist, a scientist, an actress/singer, a lawyer. After two years of college in a pre-law program, the actress won out and she was accepted into the world-famous Neighborhood Playhouse for a rigorous two-year study program. She spent six years pounding the pavements in New York City, doing plays and musicals, eventually getting her Actors Equity card. Her favorite role was Maria in West Side Story.

To make ends meet between acting jobs, she did temp work. One of her assignments was at Random House. After working there for a week, she had an epiphany: she could actually make a living doing something she loved.

A Life in Publishing
She stayed at Random House for six years, editing and acquiring a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction titles for the mass-market division. Meanwhile, she returned to Hunter College at night, earning a degree in Media Studies.

When Harlequin Books asked her to be an editor for their new Intrigue line, she jumped at the opportunity. There, she brought on board new authors, working closely with them to develop books for this innovative imprint.

Wanting to broaden her publishing experience to the magazine world, Diane took a job as senior editor at Sesame Street Magazine and its newly created Parents’ Guide. This job led to the opportunity help develop Family Life. Diane took the challenge and saw this successful magazine through its launch and first few issues.

A New Direction
After 12 years working as a staff editor, Diane embarked on her own. She quickly developed a niche in health and wellbeing, writing over 200 magazine articles for such national publications as Woman’s World, Good Housekeeping, Parents, Bride’s, Inside MS, and First for Women.

Eventually, she returned to her first love: books. To date, she is the author or co-author of five books:

• Strong Force: The Story of Physicist Shirley Ann Jackson (Scholastic/JH Press)
• People Person: The Story of Sociologist Marta Tienda (Scholastic/JH Press)
• Decorative Paint and Faux Finishes (Sunset Books)
• Your Two-Year-Old: The Trusted Resource to Help Your Child Advance, Achieve, Succeed (St. Martin’s)
• Divorced Dads: Shattering the Myths, with Sanford L. Braver, PhD (Tarcher/Putnam). This groundbreaking, critically acclaimed book, was the subject of a 20/20 report by John Stossel.

She has also been on the forefront of the newest media, as Creative Director for ABC News English, a series of 12 interactive DVDs, an advanced English-language learning program marketed internationally.
Diane is a four-time recipient of the Educational Press Award for Excellence in Journalism, a two-time winner of the National Health Information Silver Award, a finalist for the National Writer’s Voice New Voice Award in Fiction, and is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.
Dreams Fulfilled
In addition to her work as an editor, writing coach, and author, Diane is an emerging artist. Her work can be viewed at www.dianeoconnellart.com.

She continues her love of singing in a choir and as a cantor for her parish.

Looking back, Diane realizes she has lived out her childhood dreams of being a journalist, actress, and artist. Her biographies have allowed her to live a vicarious career as a scientist. As for being a lawyer? Watching her favorite TV show — Boston Legal — satisfies that long-ago dream.

Diane lives in Rego Park, New York, with her husband, Larry; their Golden Retriever, Palmer; and their cat, Mozart.

Diane brings all these passions and the belief that all dreams are attainable to her work with authors. It is her mission to help her clients find their voice in order to achieve their dreams of publication.