Today we’d like to introduce you to Tabitha Rose
Hi Tabitha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Honestly, I fell into this field in a way that was anything but graceful—I like to say that right up front. I’ve always been about encouraging people to tell their stories honestly and bravely, so here’s mine. After I graduated from university, I was set on making my way in politics or business. I took every opportunity that came my way and tried my hardest, but nothing ever seemed to fit. No matter how much I pushed, something felt off. I kept thinking I just needed to work harder, but that only led me to feeling more and more like a failure. Eventually, I started relying on substances to cope with the stress and discomfort, and while that worked for a time, it didn’t last—it soon started affecting every part of my life. I was struggling and couldn’t see a way out.
Then, one day, my grandmother mentioned that she wanted to hire a ghostwriter to help her tell her story. For reasons I still don’t fully understand, I offered to help her myself. That project with her became a rare bright spot during a dark time for me, but even then, I ignored the spark it gave me. I kept chasing this idea of what my career *should* be. It wasn’t until I lost a job, dealt with health issues as a result of my addiction, and eventually collapsed on a plane—waking up in a hospital—that I began to question things. Luckily, I had supportive people around me. One suggested that maybe I should “lean in” to this thing with my grandmother. At the time, I didn’t even know what that meant. I thought, *Lean in? It’s just a hobby. I’m not a writer!* But, with all other options exhausted, I gave it a shot.
And slowly, it clicked. The more I leaned into it, the more I felt energized by helping people share their stories. I remember thinking, *What should I even call this?* Life to Paper came to mind, and when I saw that the .com was available, it felt like a sign. One step led to another, and before I knew it, Life to Paper had taken on a life of its own.
Helping people put their Life to Paper became more than just a project—it became my purpose. One story turned into another, and another. Then one day, someone came to me with a manuscript he’d already written. I remember asking him, “Why do you need me?” He said, “I need help getting this out to the world.” I told him, “Well, I’ve never done that before.” But he just looked at me and said, “I know, but I think you can figure it out.”
It felt important and purposeful, and his faith in me stirred something. This man had written a brave, inspiring account of his life, filled with lessons and vulnerability, hoping it might help others going through similar struggles. I leaned in, again, and felt that spark, that pull, to move forward. We worked together, step by step, and eventually, we got his book out into the world. That project was the beginning of something bigger: Life to Paper evolved into Life to Paper Publishing.
Over the years, it’s continued to grow. Today, I’m grateful to have an incredible team that shares my commitment to supporting our authors, guiding them through every stage, from writing and editing to producing and publishing. Our approach is highly collaborative; we’re hands-on and deeply invested in the stories we bring to life. Our mission is simple: “to write a better future.” With every book we publish, filled with honest, brave stories and hard-earned knowledge, we believe we’re doing just that.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—quite the opposite, actually! Starting out, I didn’t have experience in publishing, and in those early days, I often felt like I was figuring things out as I went. There was a lot of trial and error, and mistakes were part of the learning curve. I had to navigate everything from learning the ins and outs of the publishing industry to finding the right people to help me bring these projects to life. I remember moments when I doubted if I could keep going, especially during the times when resources were tight and I had to balance passion with practical limitations.
One of the biggest challenges was building trust with new authors while still establishing myself in the field. I wasn’t a “traditional” publisher, and convincing authors to take a chance on me and Life to Paper Publishing took time and persistence. There were also the emotional challenges. Each author brings a unique, often vulnerable story to the table, and I had to learn how to create a safe space for them while also managing the weight of those stories. It’s rewarding but can be heavy at times.
The biggest lesson, though, has been that every struggle has a purpose. Those challenges taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of surrounding myself with people who believe in the mission as much as I do. Today, I look back on those struggles as essential parts of the journey—they’re what helped shape Life to Paper into what it is now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Life to Paper Publishing is all about creating and sharing authentic, impactful stories. We specialize in working with people who have powerful personal stories, insights, or expertise to share and helping them bring those to life as published books. What sets us apart is our personalized, heart-centered approach—we’re highly collaborative and work closely with our authors from start to finish, treating each project with the same care and dedication as if it were our own.
We’re known for guiding authors through every step of the process, whether it’s developing their narrative, refining the manuscript, or designing and producing the final book. We don’t just publish; we partner with our authors to help them make an impact, ensuring their voices are heard in a way that’s authentic and meaningful.
One of the things we’re most proud of is our mission: “to write a better future.” With every book we publish, we aim to contribute to a world where honest, brave storytelling can inspire and inform others. Our services go beyond traditional publishing. We offer coaching, editorial expertise, design, and distribution, all underpinned by a commitment to make each story as powerful and accessible as possible. For us, it’s about helping each author put their life to paper in a way that leaves a lasting legacy.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I truly owe all the credit to my incredible team. They’re the ones who make Life to Paper Publishing what it is. Don Loney, our Editorial Director, brings a wealth of experience and insight to every project, and Sue Sumeraj, our Managing Editor, keeps everything running smoothly with a steady hand. Becca Kadison, our Publishing Manager, expertly guides our authors and makes sure each book reaches its full potential. Eva Navratil—who, funnily enough, is also my grandmother!—handles our accounting with care and dedication. We’re also lucky to have Ami Hendrickson, our talented copywriter, along with our exceptional editors and designers like Lindsay, Marie, Ruth Walker, Ruth Dwight, Mary Beth, and many others who each bring their unique touch to our projects. It’s a collaborative effort, and I’m beyond grateful to work with such a passionate and skilled team.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lifetopaper.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifetopaper
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifetopaper
