Home About Me Publications Web Content Books Contact

Books

Valerie is an experienced editor of nonfiction books of all genres, and has worked with dozens of satisfied authors.  

The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower

Unleash the Power of Your Words to Transform LivesImagine the profound impact you’ll have when every interaction leaves others feeling respected, confident, and valued in their abilities. By mastering the art of intentional communication, you’ll discover how to:Dr. Dianne Olvera has shared this transformative technique for over four decades, grounded in her vast experience as a university professor, researcher, international diplomat, educational therapist, wife, mother, partner, and grandparent...

The Pain Free Formula: Solving the Puzzle of Muscle and Joint Pain Without Surgery, Drugs or Injections

Have you tried everything for your pain, and nothing seems to work? Millions of people suffer from joint and muscle pain every day, enduring countless treatments, surgeries, and medications that never seem to offer lasting relief.In The Pain-Free Formula, accomplished pain specialist, physical therapist, registered nurse, and healthcare expert Stacey Roberts shares a revolutionary, holistic approach to eliminating joint pain for good—without relying on surgery, drugs, or injections.With over 30...

Bod4God: Twelve Weeks to Lasting Weight Loss

Transform Your Body and Soul with Biblical Wellness and Proven Weight Loss Strategies
Steve had been overweight all his life. In fact, he weighed more than 100 pounds in first grade! After playing college football he vowed never to exercise again. That was one promise he kept, ballooning to nearly 350 pounds and staying there for years. Driven by his declining health, Steve began to study the Bible for help.

Steve lost 130 pounds and launched a stunningly successful weight-loss program in his church, community and through out the nation. In Bod4God, he reveals four keys from the Bible that have unlocked the door to health and fitness for him and countless others. He shares these simple lifestyle changes-both inside and out-that have led to incredible transformation, and now he invites you to change your life forever! In this book you’ll learn how to:

Honor God with your body and stop feeling guilty.
Motivate yourself for change and stick to your healthy goals.
Tailor a plan just for you, and enjoy doing it the rest of your life.
Manage your eating and retrain your taste buds to crave healthy foods.
Get your body moving with fitness tips to increase energy.
Build your circle of support to encourage, educate and equip you.
Launch a fun and effective wellness program in your church or organization.

And much more!

The Anxiety Code: Your Solution to Relentless Anxiety

Anxiety! Who hasn’t felt its grip on internal restlessness? It touches nearly everyone, from a mild flutter in the stomach to an intense dread of a full-blown panic attach, It can manifest as test-taking jitters, a racing heart, or sweaty palms. Yes, despite extensive scientific research, there isn’t a universal theory of anxiety, often described simply as an “over-response to stress.” While anxiety can sometimes motivate us to accomplish tasks, it can also become overwhelming and relentless, pr...

The Montessori Home and Beyond: Nurture the Heart of Your Child and Family

The Montessori Home and Beyond empowers parents to bring Maria Montessori’s timeless principles into their own homes, offering a transformative approach to raising children. An insightful understanding of how children learn, particularly during the crucial first six years when their minds are most absorbent, opens up opportunities for parents to positively influence their children’s lifelong development. Drawing on the author’s own experiences of raising six children with this philosophy, the bo...

Healing with Love: Two Sister's Divinely Guided Journey to Healing, Awakening and Discovering Their True Power

Two sisters, bound by love and guided by divine forces, embark on an extraordinary journey of healing and spiritual awakening. When one faces a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, the other calls upon the spirit realm for assistance. Cindy activates her psychic abilities, channels her spirit guides, and trains to become an energy healer, just in time to support her sister through a challenging chapter.

The wisdom and divine guidance Cindy receives during their energy healing sessions illuminate Hilary’s path to recovery. Hilary’s dedication to healing herself illustrates that true, lasting healing extends far beyond the physical; it requires inward exploration and the energetic release of unresolved emotional wounds, traumas, and self-limiting beliefs. It is a journey of embracing self-love and rediscovering the divine love that resides within us all.

This compelling narrative intertwines the remarkable experiences of an emerging energy healer with those of a woman discovering how to truly heal and transform her life. Their story is a powerful testament to the strength of sisterhood and the interconnectedness we all share.

In light of the current global shift in consciousness and the growing interest in alternative healing modalities, Healing with Love aims to inspire readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, activating their innate spiritual gifts and awakening to their true divine nature—the potent love within that serves as a powerful tool for healing and transformation.

Seeing Creatively: How to Unlock Your Imagination

Are you contemplating making a change toward a more fulfilling and enriched life? Experiencing a mindful focus on dealing with stress and conflict or wanting to reach a higher potential, can be exhausting! Your solution, Bonnie Wilczynski’s Seeing Creatively: How to Unlock Your Imagination.
Revel in a transformative guidebook that invites readers on an engaging journey of self-discovery and empowerment through practicing creative visualization.

Drawing upon the image of a magical mission is a roadmap for navigating the inner landscape of the mind and connecting the power of imagination to express dreams and ambitions.

Each chapter acts as a stepping-stone along the path. Readers are guided through a myriad of insights, tools, and exercises designed to light the way forward by exploring the life-changing potential of creative visualization. This exploration reveals how it can reshape perceptions, beliefs, and even realities.

With a toolkit of techniques and practices at their disposal, readers learn how to navigate the challenges of self-doubt, resistance, and limiting beliefs, while emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, presence, and gratitude, celebrating the journey of self-empowerment and transformation.

This book is an ongoing adventure that invites readers to embark on a journey of unlocking their imagination where they can access their true potential and light up the path to fulfilling their dreams.

Soul Detective: How to Solve the Inner Mystery of You

You Can Solve the Greatest Mystery of All—Your Soul Purpose!

Are you ready to delve into the amazing depths of your soul and unveil its unique treasures? Do you yearn to discover your deepest wisdom and decipher your highest aspirations?

This book is your roadmap to empowering you to become your own Soul Detective, leading you towards a life overflowing with profound meaning and genuine contentment.

Packed with ideas, exercises, and examples of how to use your mind and soul as your power tool kit, you’ll discover how to:

Connect deeply with your soul’s wisdom.
Break free from limiting beliefs and emotional blockages.
Reshape your life with clarity and confidence.
Solve your own life’s puzzles with ease.
Cultivate inner peace, resilience, and joy.

Nancy Weber is a renowned psychic detective featured in documentaries worldwide, a spiritual guide, animal communicator, and medical intuitive. With her decades of experience, she is uniquely equipped to lead you through your inner exploration with clarity and compassion, helping you uncover your soul’s true purpose.

Youth Truth: Engaging in Conversations That Can Change Lives

Do you know what questions to ASK your kids, students, and the youth in your life to get them to talk with you? Wouldn’t it be great to have them actually respond and engage in conversation?

This gripping book delves into the raw, unfiltered world of today’s youth. Their lives are way more complex than most realize. It is a compelling and poignant exploration of the challenges faced by young souls, bringing to light the often overlooked and misunderstood battles they fight.

In Youth Truth, discover the essential guide to navigating the tough conversations that matter most to today’s youth. This compelling narrative empowers parents, educators, and mentors to approach sensitive topics with empathy and understanding, creating safe spaces where young voices feel valued and heard. From the haunting realities of suicide and bullying to the silent battles of eating disorders, this book unveils the raw struggles faced by a generation yearning for connection.

The Menopause Mindshift: How I Unleashed My Inner Queen, And You Can Too!

Unleash Your Inner Queen and Transform Your Menopause Experience!

Are you overwhelmed by hot flashes, memory loss, fatigue, and insomnia? It’s time to change your menopause mindset and reclaim your life!

Author Lisa R. Triggs is a woman who faced almost seven years of depression, insomnia, hot flashes, and memory issues. In 2023, Lisa discovered a new path and realized that the power to improve her symptoms was within her all along. By adopting a positive perspective on menopause and integrating tools like meditation, affirmations, and visualization, Lisa experienced a remarkable transformation.

In her inspiring book, Lisa shares her journey and offers practical guidance to help you:
-Learn how to control and reduce menopause symptoms through mindset changes
-Discover powerful methods to envision and achieve a healthier, more balanced life
-Calm the inner storm of hot flashes with soothing meditation practices
-Write and use impactful affirmations to reinforce positive changes
-Explore the healing power of solfeggio frequencies
-Embark on a journey of self-discovery with insightful tools and exercises
-Understand the crucial role of self-love during menopause

Beginning at the End: Finding Grace Through Faith After Divorce

Divorce is devastating, but when the feelings of betrayal, shame, guilt, and condemnation are added to the fear of getting divorced over the age of 50 you have a life of brokenness that seems impossible to repair.

The emotional upheaval that produced overwhelming feelings of inadequacy and a heart shattered into a million pieces gripped the life of Sharon Elaine as she struggled to understand how this tragedy came to be. There was nothing complicated about what she wanted for her life. Sharon wanted the family she never had. She struggled to find direction, balance, and self-worth.

After her divorce, Sharon took a critical look at the lifelong relationships that contributed to her thoughts of inadequacy despite her professional success. Specifically, Sharon developed her relationship with God. She began to understand how her beliefs, thoughts and actions contributed to her relationships and her divorce. This has given her victory through her faith in God, and the grace God provides for us.

Cultivating Justice: Empowering Youth

Advocate for your rights and participate in your freedoms! In no nonsense language, Cultivating Justice breaks down America’s Constitutional rights by telling unforgettable true stories of young people who grew our legal landscape. This book gives practical and legal significance to case examples, inviting people to continue to define justice.

Guided by Lady Justice, who cuts to the truth with her sword, is blindfolded against prejudices, and weighs the inequities in her scales, this book shows us that one voice can make a difference. It provides hope in American jurisprudence instead of despair, empathy instead of anger, and a course of action in place of apathy.

Reclaiming Me: Lessons from a First-Generation Mexican Daughter

Adriana Martínez, a first-generation daughter of Mexican immigrants, grew up in the housing projects, made it to Stanford University and beyond, and has spent a lifetime searching for and finding inner peace and happiness on her own terms.

This empowering book, always lyrical with sprinkles of humor and heartbreak, explores important issues like identity, biculturalism, mental health, self-esteem, personal loss, and spirituality. It is rich with insights and information for anyone searching for genuine fulfillment, especially first-generation and immigrant youth growing up in poverty.

Reclaiming Me: Lessons from a First-Generation Mexican Daughter is a deeply personal story that encourages readers to reflect, discover, and embrace who they truly are – not just once, but every single day. It provides valuable, practical advice with universal lessons of self-discovery, self-love and forgiveness.

Adriana's inspiring stories show us how having the courage to live with authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability can lead to a meaningful and rewarding life filled with gratitude, resilience, and joy.

Dishing It Up with Dad: How Food & Story-Telling Nourish Body & Soul

We all die. But, how we live, how long we live, and how we die are largely within our control. After receiving her father’s prognosis of ‘just three months to live,’ nutritionist Lisa Tremont Ota dished up delicious plant-based meals while her father revealed the depths of his remarkable life. This exchange nourished body and soul for them both, leading her father to live much longer and encounter death on his own terms.

Through food and storytelling, this book shows how you can:

Change the outcome of a prognosis
Experience the dying process as a sacred journey
Provide your family with plant-based meals that will support optimal health
Help reverse chronic health conditions like heart disease and cancer
Help someone die with dignity.

From bar room brawls to ships lost at sea, these page-turning stories will inspire you to be true to yourself, to be kind and helpful to others, and to believe in the importance of perseverance. Your awareness of what it means to consciously help a loved one transition to the other side will grow, both in terms of the patience and grace required. You will also gain insight into how to navigate the necessary details of the death process. And, perhaps best of all, the recipes will last a lifetime.

We May Not Be Crazy, But Sometimes I Wonder: Embracing Life's Journey With Humour, Wisdom and Adventure

Have you ever had a day straight from hell? The kids are driving you crazy, and everything that could possibly go wrong has. Welcome to everyday family life. How does one cope? Find out in this humorous and inspiring book.

Called a modern Erma Bombeck, Lynda Pilon recounts her experiences as a wife, mother, and grandmother—dealing with situations that will resonate with many readers. Through her creative methods, she demonstrates how to navigate the joys and challenges of daily life with a sense of humour, often transforming chaos into calm. She tells us don’t sweat the small stuff, even while you are dripping wet from the heat to give you a refreshing perspective on managing life’s ups and downs.

This book will:

Bring a smile to your face when you most need it
Reveal some unorthodox albeit successful ways to adapt to life’s challenges
Show you that living life to the fullest is the only way to travel
Remind you that laughter, especially at yourself, can be a sanity saver

BAD-ASS SOLUTIONS: For Today’s BIG-ASS Problems

BIG-ASS PROBLEMS REQUIRE BAD-ASS SOLUTIONS

Bad-Ass Solutions isn’t about solving problems like what to watch on Netflix tonight. It addresses the big-ass threats to us and even our civilization, such as global warming, homelessness, and mass killings. This refreshingly NONPARTISAN book is for all of us who are frightened, frustrated and pissed off about these critical issues that just aren’t being addressed.

Author Mitch Francis solved today’s big-ass problems in amazingly creative and doable ways. He included hilarious, relevant quotes from well-known people and employed his fun, tongue-in-cheek humor.

Mitch’s Bad-Ass Solutions will:

Destroy every assault rifle in thirty days.
House and treat the homeless, addicted and mentally ill—at a very low cost.
Pay off the entire US deficit and stop inflation.
Make public schools better than private schools to heal the rich/poor chasm.
Stop the oceans rising from melting polar ice caps. Really!
Resolve the abortion issue satisfactorily for all sides.
End gang and drug crime.
Resolve the problems of immigration, government size, taxes, healthcare, drugs, wars, elections, housing costs, Russia and China.

Can these nightmare problems really be resolved?
BIG-ASS YES!
BAD-ASS SOLUTIONS For Today’s BIG-ASS Problems

On Butterflies Wings: An Anthology of International Escapades

Did you ever wish you could have a front row seat to history? Tania Anderson did.

With an unquenchable thirst for exploration of diverse cultures and a quest to understand “the common denominator that binds humankind,” Tania, an international flight attendant, sets out on a worldwide discovery to understand her personal truth. Relentless curiosity has led her to a fulfilling life beyond her imagination. Yes, you can travel the world, meet celebs, presidents, and even a saint, all without leaving your home.

Fly alongside this international voyager and behold historical events up close:

Journey with Tania to Calcutta to meet Mother Teresa Enjoy a front row seat as Nelson Mandela receives the Congressional Gold Medal Watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis Meet the Dalai Lama in a New Delhi hotel corridor Be onboard as the US Army brings victorious soldiers home Witness Tania’s harrowing escape from Nigeria as she is mistaken for a CIA agent

As you travel the world with Tania, you will start to view other civilizations with new eyes.

You will reflect, become teary-eyed and experience how destitute people struggle while their elite and royals exist in a life of fantasy. Laugh at some zany shenanigans that arise thousands of miles from home.

But in the end, you will be inspired to begin your own exploration of the world while making unforgettable friends with heart-warming memories along the way.

Take Back Your Life: 5 Steps to Creating YOUR Quantum Leap!

There’s a groundbreaking way to achieve your dreams without feeling overwhelmed or stuck. Take Back Your Life! 5 Steps to Creating YOUR Quantum Leap is the guide you need to turn your life around, starting today.

This book isn’t just about setting goals. It’s about transforming your life, one step at a time. It’s about turning those ‘shoulds’ into ‘musts’ and finding your true ‘why’. It’s about creating a compelling future that excites you every single day.

Community Capital: Race, Equity, and the Credit Union Movement

No margin—no mission…

What does it take to bring financial justice to communities of color?

Cliff Rosenthal, shaped by the movements of the 1960s, fought for decades against government indifference and systemic bias—finally seeing change come after the death of George Floyd. Michael McCray, a renowned whistle-blower, led an unprecedented court challenge to the unjust federal termination of his fraternity’s Kappa Alpha Psi Federal Credit Union. Here for the first time you’ll find the inside story of the landmark KAPFCU v NCUA federal court case. These stories will inspire all those working to fulfill the promise of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the financial system.

Death Can Wait: How I Beat Stage IV Cancer Naturally

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, it is crucial to follow your doctor’s advice. However, there are other things you can do to improve your chances of recovery. The author shares his story of being diagnosed with cancer, undergoing surgery and immunotherapy, which was stopped due to an autoimmune response. Even after that, his doctors gave him a prognosis of eight to ten months to live.

This book explains the specific steps the author took to beat stage IV cancer, without needing chemotherapy. There is a common misconception that a cancer diagnosis is a death sentence, but this book demonstrates otherwise. It delivers valuable insights on extending your life and maintaining good health. The book discusses natural and affordable options you can take to speed up your recovery from cancer.

The author has been cancer-free for over six years thanks to the information he shares in this book. After six months of following the natural options and some key lifestyle choices, his CT scans were clear and have remained so ever since.
What you will find in this book:

Hope for a bright and healthy future.
Encouragement to move forward with simple steps to help you recover from cancer.
Confidence that you can do this!
Peace of mind, knowing that you are taking steps in the right direction for your life and your health.
A sense of belonging to a community of others who are on a similar journey.
Ideas on things you can do to bring yourself to optimal health.

Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times: A Road Map for Community Leaders

Fed up with how divided we are? Ready to find common ground? In Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times, longtime unifier Dick Batchelor offers proven strategies for reaching consensus—whether at home, around the boardroom table, or in the political arena. Through real-life examples, Batchelor will show you how to:
-Address difficult conversations
-Move toward meaningful compromise
-Achieve lasting solutions

Batchelor challenges us all to change the conversation and become bridge-builders ourselves.

New Teacher Confidential: What They Didn't Tell You About Being a Teacher

What Every New Teacher Really Needs to Know
Veteran teacher Shannon Hazel shares the lessons she learned from more than two decades in the classroom to help prepare new teachers for the realities of a career in education.

If you’re new to teaching and want to save yourself time, frustration, and sleep–then New Teacher: Confidential is for you.

In this book you’ll learn:
How to minimize undesirable behaviour and increase student success.
The ingredients for establishing a productive learning environment.
Easy-to-use strategies for stress-free communication with parents.
The dos and don’ts for fostering an effective working relationship with your administrator.
Ways to navigate the swinging pendulum in education and avoid burnout.
Steps for finding balance between home and school.
Shannon Hazel has been a respected teacher, special education specialist, and instructional coach over her twenty-five years in education. She is also the founder of teacherEDU, a learning community for teachers. Visit teacheredu.ca to learn more.

Still The Soul Survives: A Journey of Compassion, Memory and Self-Discovery

Pamela Goldstein's life was changed forever by a series of nurse/patient encounters with WW2 Holocaust survivors in 1973. These patients profoundly affected her and impacted her view on the world and how it treats Jews.

The survivors' fears of the future are real, even prophetic, but through their eyes, they teach Pam the enduring nature of souls uniting in forgiveness of a cruel, conflicted world. They teach her how love will always overcome evil.

This book made me cry when I realized the lif
Load More

Web Content

Valerie has written over 250 articles on a vast array of topics and has worked with over 100 expert contributors annually to help them develop their writing skills through coaching and editing.  Valerie has also written numerous Sponsored Content articles with fantastic results for her clients.

The Union | Change your cylinder, change the world •

Change your cylinder, change the world

Ah, it’s summertime. Camping, barbecues, days by the lake or river, these are things we wait for all year long. But while we might not think about it while we’re having fun, those 1 lb propane cylinders we use in our camp stoves and other portable appliances add up in both cost and environmental impact.

Now, your outdoor fun can be a little greener by making the simple, convenient switch to a reusable 1 lb propane cylinder. Every year in North America, 40 million single-use 1 lb propane cylinde
The Union | Childcare Means Business •

Childcare Means Business

Families in Nevada County need high quality, affordable child care. Studies show that quality child care helps children develop and thrive. However, quality child care also impacts our entire community because investments in the childcare sector are critical for the continued functioning and recovery of our economy. Providing direct support to local childcare businesses promotes economic stability by ensuring families can return to work.

“The COVID-19 pandemic spotlights how child care is a pil
The Union | Brunswick Veterinary Clinic Celebrates One Year Anniversary •

Brunswick Veterinary Clinic Celebrates One Year Anniversary

The Brunswick Veterinary Clinic team wants to thank the community for their love and support following the reopening of the business, and looks forward to many more years of serving your pets. Brunswick Veterinary Clinic was founded in 1986 by Jay Schuff, DVM and Rebecca Hahn, DVM., Following their retirement, the clinic reopened on January 29, 2020, under the leadership of experienced area veterinarian, Tarra Williams, DVM. Dr. Schuff and Dr. Hahn stayed on during the transition before permanen
The Union | Nevada County is getting more days and more ways to vote •

Nevada County is getting more days and more ways to vote

The leaders we elect and ballot measures we approve have the power to impact our daily lives. Elections are our chance to stand up for what matters most to us and to shape our communities, our state, and our nation. The midterm election on November 6 is no different, and this year Nevada County is offering new choices designed to make voting more convenient and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.

Nevada County is one of five counties to implement the Voter’s Choice Act this year – giving vot
The Union | Stucki Jewelers travel half way around the world to find just the right diamonds for their customers •

Stucki Jewelers travel half way around the world to find just the right diamonds for their customers

Stucki Jewelers, named Instore Magazine’s 2018 “Coolest Jewelry Store in America” for their repurposing of owner James Arbaugh’s old office into a humidor, is not just smoke and mirrors. The downtown Grass Valley shop has been a community staple for over 100 years, and continues to thrive thanks to the passion and dedication of James and his wife, Nicole. The couple takes personalized customer service to the next level, and will head to Belgium next week to the foremost diamond district in the w
The Union | Early Quality Matters in Nevada County •

Early Quality Matters in Nevada County

What happens to our children now impacts all of us tomorrow. Kids grow up, and the care and education they receive in the first five years of life is a big determining factor in what type of citizens they will be. That is why the state of California unified all of the counties and created Quality Counts California (QCC), which sets quality as the new benchmark for early childcare and education.

Research shows that babies form over 90 percent of the brain connections that determine how they talk
Go Nevada County •

Ski Nevada County, CA

The winter storms have begun, and all Nevada County ski resorts are open for business! It’s perfect timing to come to Nevada County for a quick (or extended) ski getaway, especially since The Wall Street Journal last year named Truckee as one of the four Coolest Under the Radar Ski Towns in the US!

Whether you want to do some double diamonds, cross country ski, snowboard, take the kids tubing, or just enjoy the warmth of the lodge with a mug of hot cocoa, Nevada County, California, is a great o
Go Nevada County •

6 ways to enjoy Nevada County from your couch

We miss you! But, even though we are apart, we wanted to share 6 ways to enjoy Nevada County from your couch.

Here in Nevada County, we are anxiously awaiting the time when we can once again welcome visitors to come and enjoy all that we have to offer. We are strictly adhering to the guidelines set by Governor Newsom in slowly reopening businesses and public places, and plan to begin Phase 2 of the plan to reopen soon.

Even though you can’t be here in person (YET) to marvel in the many wonders
The Union | With PG&E shutdowns likely to occur again this summer, now is the time to look at installing a backup generator •

With PG&E shutdowns likely to occur again this summer, now is the time to look at installing a backup generator

We don’t know how long we will be stuck at home, and although businesses are opening up, the possibility of a second wave and stricter quarantine is there. Imagine being quarantined in your home like the last couple of months, but this time without power. You can’t work, you can’t open the fridge every fifteen minutes, you might not be able to bake, and NO NETFLIX! This could become the reality of those of us who are 100% reliant on PG&E for our power this summer.

Having last year been found li
The Union | Nevada County Relief Fund provides real relief to those in need •

Nevada County Relief Fund provides real relief to those in need

There is no doubt that the stay-at-home orders issued by Governor Newsom in March to combat the spread of COVID-19 created economic hardship here in Nevada County and throughout the state. Desiring to do something to help our local businesses and nonprofit organizations, the Nevada County Relief Fund was launched on April 14, 2020. Backed by a $100,000 “challenge grant” from the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, the community quickly responded with donations to the Relief Fund. Half of the mon
Go Nevada County •

Plan A Romantic Getaway

The small towns in Nevada County, nestled in the Sierra foothills in Northern California just a short drive from the Bay Area and Sacramento, are full of romantic possibility. No matter the season, the backdrops of Victorian architecture, beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers, and photo quality sunsets make any location in the small county a paradise for lovers, whether you are in a new relationship or celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary. Here are some ideas to wow your partner with a perf

Publications

At The Union newspaper, Valerie has developed and edited a wide variety of publications covering topics from health and wellness to agriculture to outdoor recreation and more.  By recruiting and developing over 100 contributors, both freelance writers and experts in a vast array of fields and topics, Valerie has ensured that the publications she produces are top quality and filled with relevant and interesting information for any target audience.

The Union | Nevada County Visitors Guide •

Nevada County Visitors Guide

Forged by the 1849 gold rush, this area has maintained its sense of rugged independence and natural beauty as it has evolved into a world-class destination for art enthusiasts, outdoor recreationalists, foodies, and anyone just wanting to “get away from it all” for a few days. A unique combination of historical landmarks and modern sensibilities, Nevada County is ideally located a mere hour from Sacramento, California’s State Capitol, and two hours from the Bay Area.
The Union | Christmas in Nevada County •

Christmas in Nevada County

As a quaint creek-side town with narrow streets, Victorian architecture, gas lamps aglow, and generations of English lineage, Nevada City is attempting what some of its residents might think impossible—by making its next Victorian Christmas even more authentic than any that has come before. In addition to the usual street performers, costumed characters, crafts, food and drink, one thousand twinkling string lights, and cheery throngs of visitors, this year’s event will be preceded by a Christmas Heritage Series of social and digital media storytelling about the historic and cultural authenticity of Victorian Christmas.
The Union | Cannabis Magazine •

Cannabis Magazine

John Alexander (CEO) and his business partner Michael Kepic (COO) first came up with the idea to open a local cannabis testing lab during a Nevada County Cannabis Alliance event in November of 2017. The pair were neighbors and friends, and were interested in learning more about the emerging legal cannabis industry. “We were sitting there listening, and one of the speakers said, “…once your product goes through legal mandatory testing...” John turned to Michael and said, “What’s this testing all about?” When we left the meeting I knew this was our new path, and Michael agreed that it was an excellent idea,” John said.“
The Union | Business Connections •

Business Connections

COVID-19 has turned our lives, and our business practices, upside down. One of the many adjustments that many businesses had to make quickly was shifting from in-office employees to ensuring that as many people as possible could work from home. As such, managers have had to shift their strategies to managing employees from afar. One such supervisor who has excelled at the shift is Julia Stidham, Advertising Director of The Union.