About the Author
A real life messy, vivid, and unresolvedtold without apology across three books.
Jacqueline Mendelson
A writer whose work grows out of a life lived in full.
Before becoming an author, she spent nearly thirty years in nonprofit and public-sector leadership, working in addiction treatment, community health, and large-scale HIV/AIDS programs both in the U.S. and abroad. Those years shaped her understanding of resilience, human complexity, and the quiet ways people rebuild themselves.
Her memoir, Natural Born Guilt, draws on her early life inside the counterculture of the 1960s and the long road through addiction and recovery. Told with dark humor and unflinching honesty, it reflects the same compassion and clarity that guided her work in human-service organizations.
Today, Jacqueline writes both adult memoir and children's literature. Through Kinder Lantern Press, she creates gentle, imaginative stories for young readers, including the Gramma Gnome series. Through her memoir and forthcoming projects, she continues exploring the themes of identity, survival, and second chances.
The Soundtrack of Natural Born Guilt
Two tracks inspired by the writing.
No Sleepwalking Allowed
The song that opened the door. Raw, restless, and impossible to ignore.
Tuum Est
A quiet reckoning. The Latin phrase, loosely translated, means 'It's Up To You' — and serves as a lyrical guide to an honest, more fulfilling life.
"I didn't survive to stay quiet."
The Author
Why This Memoir
These books are drawn from real life — messy, vivid, and authentic. The hippie era wasn't just a backdrop; it was a rollercoaster ride on the cultural revolution. We all have a story to tell, and writing this trilogy is my way of letting go and embracing the path.
Ready to Read?
Explore the TrilogyAlso by Jacqueline Mendelson
The Kinder Lantern Children's Books
Through Kinder Lantern Press, Jacqueline creates gentle, imaginative stories for young readers — including the Gramma Gnome series. Warm, full of heart, and a different side of the same gifted storyteller.
Full Kinder Lantern book details coming soon.