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Barbara Basbanes Richter

Founder at HelloHans and 3 other companies
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Books are in my DNA. I grew up in a house so filled with them that C-SPAN came to film it (you can still watch the tour online). My father, an award-winning editor and National Book Award finalist, taught me early on how to think critically about writing and storytelling.
I've built my career around words—as Managing Editor for Literary Features Syndicate, a columnist for Fine Books and Collections Magazine, and a contributor to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, and The Sewanee Review. I'm also an author, public speaker, and French-to-English translator.

In 2023, I launched DIYBook to make book writing and publishing more accessible. The platform offers weekly writing prompts across various categories—from trauma to military service to relationships—helping writers overcome common hurdles like writer's block or feeling overwhelmed. DIYBook recently completed Westchester County's Element46 Tech Accelerator, where we developed strategies to scale our platform and strengthen our business foundation.

My ghostwriting firm, In Ink Ghostwriting (founded 2014), serves clients worldwide from our base in the NYC area. We've helped NFL players, Fortune 500 CEOs, artists, musicians, doctors, entrepreneurs, and attorneys turn their stories into books. Our team includes skilled graphic designers who ensure the visual elements of each book match its content.

I earned my BA and MA in French Language and Literature from Smith College and Tufts University. I'm a founding member of the Ticknor Society, a voting member of the National Book Critics Circle, and belong to the Grolier Club, America's oldest bibliophilic association.

When I'm not helping others tell their stories, I host the podcast "Writing for Immortality" and spend time with my family and basset hounds in Westchester, New York.

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  • Celebrate Library Shelfie Day: A Decade of Bookish Joy
    Barbara shares insights on capturing the perfect library shelfie and the evolution of #LibraryShelfie. She notes, "There's something magical about seeing readers worldwide share glimpses of their personal libraries." This tradition unites reading communities, offering tips for creating photo-worthy displays and connecting with fellow bibliophiles.
  • DIYBook: Transforming Memories into Personal Narratives
    Barbara shares how DIYBook offers a transformative journey where individuals craft their life stories. Through "guided prompts and expert advice," participants uncover hidden memories and create narratives to share with loved ones. Barbara emphasizes the personal growth and joy this experience brings, making DIYBook a key player in the experience economy.
  • Booklice: The Unseen Threat to Your Home Library
    Barbara explains that booklice, or psocids, thrive in warm, damp spaces, feeding on mold in bookbinding glue. To combat them, she suggests, "a thorough vacuuming, using diatomaceous earth, and reducing humidity below 45%." Keep libraries cool, dry, and clean. Avoid insecticides; they’re ineffective. Protect your books by storing them away from moisture during renovations.
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  • “There's something special about a suite of physical images artfully arranged in a book that simply cannot be replaced by scrolling through photos on the phone,” says Barbara Basbanes Richter, founder of DIYBook and In Ink Ghostwriting. (In 6 Best Photo Book Makers, by Anne Taylor, US News, February 23, 2024: https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/services/best-photo-book-maker)

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