A former editor at Simon & Schuster and Harcourt, Martha C. Lawrence has shaped the voices of some of the world’s most successful thought leaders. As executive editor at Blanchard, she has collaborated with Ken Blanchard for more than 20 years, including on Trust Works!, winner of the San Diego Book Award. Her editing credits include multimillion-copy bestsellers and #1 New York Times titles. She is also the author of an Edgar, Anthony, Agatha, and Shamus-nominated mystery series featuring private investigator Elizabeth Chase. 
     Martha holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and studied creative writing at The New School in New York City. She was a founding faculty member of The La Jolla Writers Conference and has been a book reviewer for The San Diego Union-Tribune. Outside of her professional life, she is an avid hiker and long-time yoga practitioner. She lives in Escondido, California, with her partner and a full contingent of backyard wildlife.