ART & IDEAS

Astrology and film are languages and artistic practices that humans use in attempts to make sense of the universe, our places in it, and our connections throughout it. I’ve long been interested in the dynamic histories and modern uses of both subjects—and I’ve been lucky to explore them in these books.

"“Astrology, whether perceived as a science, an art, a psychological tool, or a mass folly, has resonance and relevance to humankind, It has inspired worship as a divinatory practice, with its practitioners changing the course of historical events; it has altered our understanding of our deepest selves and human possibilities.”

from the preface to the Library of Esoterica: Astrology written by Andrea Richards (TASCHEN, 2020)

“And regardless of how it has been viewed by science, astrology has been a cultural linchpin, crucial to history, religion and creative storytelling, as Astrology asserts.

‘(Astrological charts) are an interpretive text; they can be read a thousand different ways,’ said Richards. ‘That’s literature. That’s art. That’s a beautiful multitude of possibilities.’”

—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Style

“...one comes away with an understanding of astrology’s place in history, pop culture, art, mythology, and psychology.”

—Steffie Nelson, Los Angeles Times

“At its core, astrology is a system of order created by humans who, depending on perspective or belief, may or may not have been under the influence of another force—call it planetary magnetism, divine intervention, the collective unconscious, or just celestial inspiration. As a system of meaning, it is a work of great creativity and complexity creative collectively over centuries. It might be considered a highly inspired work of literature that uses the cosmos as text. Or perhaps astrology is more apt to find its home with folklore and religion for its long trajectory of transmitting information and instilling cultural values through the medium of story. However it is categorized, astrology reflects its human creators, speaking to and reflecting our larger concerns be they poetic or scientific, physical or astral.” —from Astrology, "Part 1: Hidden in Plain Sight: Astrology & the Esoteric"

Girl Director (Girl Press, 2001 reissued by Random House in 2005) is the first film & media guidebook written specifically for teenage girls. Culling advice and experience from more than 50 filmmakers—from Agnes Varda to Miranda July—Girl Director is equal parts inspirational handbook and history lesson in how women have been calling the shots and telling their stories since the invention of cinema.

“Wow, I had so much fun reading Girl Director that now I want to dig out my Super 8 and start shooting again. By Tracing the history of Hollywood as a Grrls town, by encouraging girls to experiment and create their own language fo rmaking movies, and by taking girls step by step through the mechanics of getting it all, Girl Director helps turn passion into possibility.”

—Kimberly Peirce, director

“This informative and inspiring volume packs directions, history, evaluative suggestions, and lots of illustrations into a tight space...the title's postmodern feminism is enlightening without being strident.

—Francisca Goldsmith, Booklist

EXPERIENCES & TRAVEL

So many different ways to share stories, secrets, tastes, sips, and special places.

ESSAYS & OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS

With glee, I contributed chapters or essays to these publications.

Also, before I started writing books, I worked on them in other capacities (line editing, writing captions, etc.) for fabulous, indie book publishers in L.A. Some of these are below too.