Julie Ackerman Link

Julie Ackerman Link grew up in a small town near the Lake Michigan shoreline. After high school she attended a private college before transferring to Michigan State University where she earned a B.A. in English and an M.A. in journalism. She met her husband, Jay, while in graduate school and they settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Julie started her career at Zondervan Publishing House and was blessed to have colleagues who helped her develop her editorial skills. One of her first (and favorite) jobs was to review the slush pile. This was like taking a crash course in what not to do if you want to get your book published. She learned to recognize good writing, determine whether or not mediocre writing could be salvaged, and tactfully reject what had little chance of commercial success. For Julie, one of the most rewarding aspects of being an editor is helping writers develop ideas and communicate them with clarity and creativity. In 1987, she and two colleagues founded Blue Water Ink, a company that provides writing, editing, designing, typesetting, and consulting services for publishers and authors. In 2000, Julie began writing for the popular devotional Our Daily Bread, and in 2008 she published her first full-length book, Above All, Love: Reflections on the Greatest Commandment. Julie has taught college writing, presented workshops at writer's conferences, led writer's groups, edited newsletters, and coached writers. She divides her time between writing, editing, and helping other writers take the next step on the road to publication.