A Conversation with Roxanne McCarty-O'Kane, Writer and Writing Mentor

Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane is a ghostwriter and writing mentor who works closely with aspiring authors to empower them to become the changemakers they dream to be through authorship. Storytelling has been Roxanne’s bread and butter since 2007 with a long career as a journalist for newspapers, magazines, and online publications before transferring her skillsets into non-fiction book creation. Her emphasis on connection to her authors and honoring the uniqueness of their stories has seen her recognized in: 2022 Finalist Sunshine Coast Business Awards Creative Industries Finalist Australian Woman Small Business Champion Awards Sole Trader 2021 WINNER Micro/Small Business Woman in the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards. Australian Small Business Champion Awards Sole Trader Finalist. 2020 Australian Small Business Champion Awards Sole Trader Finalist. Australian My Business Awards for Young Leader of the Year Finalist (one of only two female finalists). Australian My Business Awards for B2C Business of the Year Finalist. 2019 Young Business Woman of the Year Finalist in the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards. Australian My Business Awards Young Leader of the Year Finalist. When she isn’t in her writing cave, leading Ignite & Write workshops, or mentoring aspiring authors, Roxanne enjoys asserting her dominance in family games of Bananagrams, playing her guitar, and curling up in the hammock on the back deck with a good book. Roxanne McCarty-O'Kane joined us on the podcast from Australia. Roxanne says:  "My first contact with newspapers was as a ‘paper girl,’ jumping on my bike with a totally stylish yellow PVC satchel slung over my shoulder delivering copies of The Evening Post to subscribers in the small town of Wainuiomata in New Zealand. Rain, hail, or shine, they always received their papers and being in the land of the long white cloud, it often meant arriving home from deliveries soaked-through. Fast forward to today and I am a qualified journalist who has written for a number of newspapers, magazines and e-zines and am what you would call a jack of all trades. I have had to decipher incredible tech-speak, political jargon and complex government documents to draw out the things that really matter to people and have covered everything from everyday news happenings to court proceedings, business stories, profile and entertainment, features that cover hard-hitting topics that can impact the wider community and had the privilege to chat with a number of high profile Australian and international celebrities." Her Phoenix Phenomenon project showcases inspiring people's stories. She now focuses on authors' stories. Get help with your book by contacting Roxanne at the links or email below. She also does service work helping victims heal from sexual abuse, as part of the No More Fake Smiles organization. Roxanne follows the premises of the seminal book, The Four Agreements, by Toltec shaman, Don Miguel Ruiz. She is mindful about her words, and she strives not to take things personally or make assumptions and always to do her best in any situation. Roxanne has penned her own book, Ignite & Write, a resource for fellow authors.  Learn more and follow her work: https://www.roxannewriter.com.au/ Email: [email protected] Instagram: @roxannewriter Facebook: facebook.com/roxannewriter LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roxannemccartyokane/