I was honored to help bring Feli Sebastian’s story to life in her debut novel, “Broken & Beloved: A Journey of Discovery” now available on Amazon in both paperback and e-book formats.
Touchstone Storytelling teamed up with Feli to write, edit and design the interior book pages as well as assisted with book marketing via traditional and social media. Paul McNamara with Make Good Creative designed and illustrated the cover.
A book of self-discovery and transformation, Feli takes you through the rutted roads of the Philippines, along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in South India, and across the American heartland on her quest to find inner peace and help formerly incarcerated women create a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
At age 12, she began her career pedaling patis in the streets of Manila to help feed her family of nine, which later grew to 13. She spent many years teaching primary students in the Philippines before immigrating to the United States in 1981. Navigating through her personal labyrinth, she explored the Catholic Sisterhood, lived in an ashram in India, and earned her Ph.D. in counseling.
Feli’s path was unfamiliar and unstable, but she listened to God’s calling and felt Him by her side. That is, until she felt abandoned. She remained steadfast, however, in her drive to help others, creating Labyrinth Outreach Services in 2005 to help formerly incarcerated women find their path to freedom – freedom from their past, their addictions and freedom to find their inner peace.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit YWCA Labyrinth Outreach Services.
Feli Sebastian is a retired licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive aid to formerly incarcerated women when they return to their community. The organization merged with the YWCA McLean County (Illinois) on July 1, 2016. Follow her Amazon Author Page!
Feli Sebastian’s Review of Touchstone Storytelling:
“The manuscript of the history of Labyrinth Outreach had been sitting on my desk for over a year. I had always wanted to write the organization’s history and the women it serves to bring awareness to others of their challenges and struggles as they reintegrate into the community after years behind bars. I also wanted to honor the hundreds of volunteers and donors who generously and willingly share their talents, time, and skills to help shape Labyrinth. But where do I find someone, an editor, who can work on my manuscript and help me publish my book?
Charlene was referred to me by a friend after she wrote their family history. I met with her and I shared my goal and intention. We agreed to meet after she had read my manuscript. On the second meeting, Charlene, told me that she can edit my work but asked me if I had considered including my personal life in the book. I cringed at her suggestion as I did not want to be “exposed”. She lovingly convinced me that the organization and my life are intertwined. Since I did not see it that way then, I asked for some time to process it. I finally agreed to include my life in the book. Luckily, I kept short reflections of family events which I shared with her. She continued to encourage me and she gave me the confidence to share my life. She believed my story is not just worth telling but worth writing and inspiring. She asked questions that helped me put together important events that led to the creation of Labyrinth. She helped me with everything: researching/updating information; collating pictures that went with the topic; writing/editing patiently the themes and chapters; creating the narrative for the back book cover; finding the designer for the book cover; and reminding me of details to be done and the endless work that goes with writing a book. Besides her exceptional editing job, Charlene also helped me with the marketing of my book. It was a new endeavor for her but she tackled the job head-on. She designed the book’s business cards, posters, bookmarks, and banner. She assisted me in determining the price of my book; in selecting the best media for promoting it; and identifying customer needs. She was generous with her time and developed attractive and colorful publicity on my Facebook Page. Within a month, I had over 100 followers!!! Currently, I have reached over 1500 people!!!!
As an editor and marketing person, Charlene is par excellence! I cannot speak highly enough of her. She is invaluable.”
Feli Sebastian, Bloomington, IL
