Debra Scacciaferro

Debra Scacciaferro is an accomplished author with two published books—State of Innocence, a modern psychological thriller, and American Nightingale, a historical romance—both published by MELANGE Books.

As a writing coach, Debra specializes in working one-on-one with writers, helping them refine their dialogue and strengthen their story structure. She brings a wealth of experience from her 20-year career as a daily newspaper feature reporter, where she honed her ability to capture authentic voices and craft engaging narratives.

Beyond journalism, Debra has spent 15 years as a researcher for her husband Jim DeFelice's bestselling books on techno-spy themes, military history, memoirs, and biographies. She is also a dedicated researcher for her own historical novels, including her latest project—a story inspired by an artist during the French Revolution.

Debra is eager to share her expertise on research—both historical and general—and how to determine the right moment to transition from research to writing. She also offers guidance on crafting natural dialogue, using it effectively to advance the plot rather than just filling pages. She encourages writers to think of dialogue as music, shaping the rhythm of a scene and punctuating action while also incorporating internal dialogue for depth.

If you’d like to learn more about Debra’s coaching services or her books, visit her website at www.debrascacciaferro.com.