I have to admit, creating an “About Me” page isn’t the most natural thing for me to do. But I want to put a name and face to this forum and encourage you to express yourself, too, even if it feels uncomfortable.

So, About Me.

I’m a writer. Back when I lived in NYC and worked for a literary agency, I came across a book proposal from a psychology professor who was an expert on shyness. I was fascinated.

As I read his explanation of shyness and his letters from shy people revealing their innermost thoughts, fears, disappointments, and hopes, I was stunned. I recognized myself in those testimonials. The awkwardness, the self-imposed barriers. The anxiety and second-guessing. The inability to relax when you feel like everyone is watching you, judging you.

Since that revelation, I’ve learned a lot about shy people. I’m not a psychologist, but sometimes I joke that I have a Ph.D. in shyness studies. That’s because I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with that psychology professor whose book proposal rocked me — Bernardo Carducci — on three books about shy people. Bernie is one of the top experts on shyness, and, like me, personally knows what it feels like to be shy.

My life has changed utterly since discovering Bernie’s work. I’ve learned a lot about what makes me tick and how to deal with shyness. I also have a new appreciation for the shy people in my life. I want them to understand how utterly human they are when they feel shy. Think about it: Shyness is experienced by so many people, so it must be part of the human condition. If shy traits served no purpose they would have died out thousands of years ago. Yet here we are in the 21st century, feeling shy at times and surrounded by people who feel the same, yet we rarely discuss shyness, let alone celebrate it. Why not change that now?