Hi, I’m Renee—Book & Author Coach, Storytelling Photographer, and dreamer.
I’m a lover of people, words, gardens, glitter, Jesus, my husband, and our miracle rainbow baby girl. With a passion for words and photos that linger in the heart long after the book, event, or session ends, I strive to bring a unique blend of creativity, vibrancy, and tenacity to every person and project.
I look forward to walking with writers through the process from dream to book to become a published author. I love praying with and for others, and I bring joy!
meet renee
Her Specialties
As a book and author coach, I love working on projects where the client has overcome obstacles with God’s help to show the world His power and glory. I walk with writers from dream to finished book—including ghostwriting when that’s what a project calls for—and I help authors upload their books to IngramSpark to bring them to life in print.
I’m also a storytelling photographer at heart. I love helping clients document their visual stories, because if each picture is worth a thousand words, a single photoshoot holds enough words for a visual book of its own.
“By my own admission, I am the world’s most faithful follow-upper. Following up really is my spiritual gift—ha!”
Her Recent Projects & Experience
Some of my favorite projects to date include coaching Willie Alfonso, Chaplain to the Spanish-speaking players of the New York Yankees, through On the Other Side of Fear—a book I also had the joy of ghostwriting, along with his most recent book in 2024. I’ve walked alongside authors like Linette Bumford (Getting There) and Norma Sims (Encouraging Words at the Well), and I’ve helped Harold J. Berry self-publish his books for years, including recent projects alongside the MRM team.
Sixteen years ago, my first book, The Faithbook of Jesus, was published by NavPress under my maiden name, Renee Johnson. That first print run of 5,000 copies sold out before its release, which opened the door to two more books with Harvest House Publishers. Since then, God has brought me clients like Maria Durso, whose book Ageless I was able to take from a canceled contract to a self-published release—I even flew to NYC for it. God has continued to show His faithfulness through each curveball, and I’m so grateful to keep writing, coaching, and helping others—including publishing Soul Gardening and I’d Rather Be Playing with Mandy’s help.
Her Education & Training
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Biola University (2008), a Certified Christian Life Coach credential from Light University Online (2015), and a Master of Arts in Bible and Theology from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary (2021).
I also attended the Refined Conference in 2024, where I led roundtable discussions for attendees and enjoyed the general sessions and panels alongside other guests.
Some of Her mentors
My original mentor is Pam Farrel, who connected me with Harvest House. I still look up to Rebekah Von Lintel (previously Guzman), my editor at NavPress who is now a literary agent. I love Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s teaching on rest—hearing her live at Refined was amazing! And I still follow Mandy Roberson of MRM, since we’ve been in the business about the same amount of time; I always go to her for friendship, advice, and help.
I’ve been intentionally out of this space for the last four to five years while I’ve been a mom, so I’m looking forward to reconnecting with this community again.
Fun Facts
- I can do a thumbs up with my two big toes.
- I used to play piano as a worship leader in Jr. High and college.
- I’ve visited 81 gardens in 25 states and 2 countries.
claim to fame
My mentor at the time, Marcia Ramsland (the Organizing Pro), helped brand me as the Devotional Diva. I registered the trademark, bought the website, and thanks to my job at Outreach Events, landed over 33 endorsements for my first book, The Faithbook of Jesus, with NavPress. I later sold the website and trademark to Maggie Winterton, who still runs it as a place for women to share their stories.
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