Writer, Ghostwriter

Welcome! I’m Isidra.

I’m a published author, currently working on my memoir The conquest of pleasure, as well as in a collection of personal essays about the many selves we leave behind entitled Mandala Way. Read more about my writings and take a peek at some of my published essays, The Dress and The Thin Black Taste of Summer.

I also help other people tell their own life stories as a ghostwriter, editor and writing coach though my business Vida Now, which I launched in 2017.

Education

From Barcelona to Berkeley

I was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain. I came to the US in 1992 to study a PhD in Spanish and Latin American Contemporary Literature. I didn’t know much about American doctorate programs or which were the best universities, but I was up for an adventure and some serious reading. I applied to a bunch of colleges and got accepted in two or three. I chose the University of California, Berkeley, because it sounded bohemian and I had a friend who lived in that city. Sometimes you just have to follow your gut.

My PhD years were happy and fruitful. I made a lot of friends, enjoyed the coursework, and ended up teaching at UC Berkeley for 12 years, first as a Graduate Student Instructor and then as a Lecturer. I taught Spanish language, literature, culture, and creative writing, and won two teaching awards.

Career

From Freelancer to Corporate Leader

Parallel to teaching I developed a business as a freelance writer and editor for Spanish-speaking media in the US. I had multi-year collaborations with Time Inc. and Sunset among other companies, and I wrote hundreds of articles for multiple times Emmy-award winner Jorge Ramos, recognized by Time magazine as one of 25 most important US Hispanics.

I quit freelancing in 2006 to launch a successful 10-year corporate career as Executive Editor and Editorial Director of the Americas at BabyCenter, the leading digital global resource for parents. I managed teams in the US, Canada and Latin America, and helped them gain or maintain leadership in their markets through top quality content and digital products.

My North Star

From Love to Books

With all that going on, I still managed to fall in love, get married, have a child and keep connected to my family with trips abroad every year or two. I also published two books, one of short stories and an awarded academic book.

I’ve had a varied, winding career, but the common denominator has always been a focus on words and stories. That’s because I passionately believe in the power of story to help us bring meaning to the world and live a better life.