There are moments in life that shake us, that rob us of breath and clarity, that make us question everything. Writing Breathe was not one of those moments. I had to write this story.
What I didn’t know then was that publishing this story would become an experience that would silence my voice for a decade.
Two Publishers, One Devastating Choice
When Breathe: A True Story About Marriage, Faith, and Attempted Suicide was first released, two publishers expressed interest in my book.
📖 David C. Cook, the publisher of Francis Chan’s Crazy Love series, Dallas & Amanda Jenkins (The Chosen Bible studies), and Joni Eareckson Tada (Joni and Friends), was one option. But they wanted me to merge my story into one book rather than a two-part series.
📖 Winters Publishing Group (WPG), owned by Tom Winters and represented by Richard Tate, seemed to align more with my vision. Richard dropped big names like Sarah Palin and Rick Warren, which caught my attention. With Rick Warren’s son having recently died by suicide, I thought my book might help others in similar circumstances.
Richard Tate convinced me he saw my vision and that WPG was the right home for Breathe.
I believed him. I was wrong.
The Sales Pitch That Cost Me Thousands
Richard Tate frequently referenced Tate Publishing, claiming it was the 9th largest publishing company in the world. He talked about my book as though Tate Publishing and Winters Publishing Group were partners—so much so that the lines between the two became blurred.
As a first-time author, I trusted the professionals who were supposed to guide me.
Tate told me that bookstores were dying, and publishers needed assurance that their authors were committed. The only way to prove my commitment? “Have skin in the game.”
I paid $5,000 USD upfront, believing it was an investment—that I would earn it back once my book was successful.
I never saw a penny of that money again. The only royalty check I ever received was for $1.26.
The Weight of Betrayal
Richard Tate and his son, Ryan Tate were pressed with charges in 2018. These charges included “44 counts involving embezzlement, attempted extortion, extortion, conspiracy and racketeering.” This charges only included the authors police were aware of, or pursued. Despite my attempts to contact police, my calls were never returned.
After everything I had already been through—the trauma that led to Breathe—to be exploited by the very industry that was supposed to amplify my voice felt like being punched in the gut.
I couldn’t talk.
I couldn’t fight.
I couldn’t breathe.
For over ten years, this betrayal silenced me.
Why I Stayed Silent for So Long
For years, I said nothing.
Partly because I didn’t know what to say.
Partly because life kept moving.
Mostly because this experience heaped trauma upon trauma.
But that changes now.
Taking Back Breathe
I’ve got my second wind, and I’m finally ready to take my story back.
🔹 On March 8, 2025, Breathe: Second Edition will be released. This time, on my terms.
🔹 This new edition includes added commentary, reflections from the past decade, and a Discussion Guide for small groups, book clubs, and personal reflection.
🔹 If you read Breathe when it first came out, this version adds new layers to the story.
I can also finally announce the follow-up book that was always meant to come.
📖 The Healing Place will be released on September 10, 2025.
Lessons Learned: Why I’m Speaking Out Now
I now see warning signs I missed—not because I was careless, but because I trusted where I shouldn’t have.
- The lines between WPG and Tate Publishing were intentionally blurred—as a new author, a seasoned industry professional took full advantage.
- Pressure to pay upfront should have been a red flag. But as a first-time author, I didn’t know better.
- Big name-dropping doesn’t equal credibility.
I share my story now because authors deserve better.
Because stories matter.
Because healing takes time—but when the time is right, we reclaim what was taken.
📖 Read the Preface to the Second Edition of Breathe → Read now
📖 Pre-order Breathe: Second Edition (Book 1 in the Breathe Series) → Order now
📖 Pre-order The Healing Place (Book 2 in the Breathe Series) → Order now