Ramon Presson, a clinically certified marriage and family therapist for over 20 years, is the founder of LifeChange Counseling and the Marriage Center of Franklin (www.LifeChangeCS.org) . From 1989 to 2004 Presson also served as an ordained minister and assistant pastor in churches in North Carolina South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee.
A native of NC, it was the Winston-Salem church where as a teen Ramon first met Dr. Gary Chapman. After graduating from Wake Forest University with a degree in psychology and later from Florida State University with a Master’s in Counseling, Presson returned to serve on the staff in the church’s counseling center and there renewed his relationship with Dr. Chapman. Many years later, in 2002, they would collaborate on the Love Talks trilogy of books for couples and families. Says Presson, “I thank Dr. Chapman and I credit the co-authorship of those books for opening many of the subsequent doors of writing and publishing opportunity I’ve enjoyed. I’m quite honored that Gary agreed to write the foreword for WWMLNS.”
Ramon’s first writing love was not articles and books, but poetry. “I remember getting some kind of award at school in the 3rd grade for a poem I wrote. Then again, in 3rd grade, how strong can the literary competition be?” says Presson with a grin. In Chapter 5 of the book Ramon describes a crossroads moment in his life at age 19 that shaped him as a writer. Later upon graduating from Wake Forest he would win an American Academy of Poets first place award for a collection of original collegiate poetry.
During many years of writing and publishing non-fiction, Presson’s attention to poetry faded but was never forgotten. In the last several years that passion for poetry has been reignited through a mentoring relationship with Stellasue Lee, a twice nominated Pulitzer poet from California. “I think even my non-fiction writing has been improved and is more poetic and more honest as a result of working with Lee.”
When Will My Life Not Suck? is the eleventh book for which Presson has been the primary author or contributing author. “I definitely consider WWMLNS to be my most important book to date. It’s not only the one I’ve put the most work into, it’s the one I’ve put the most of me into. It’s the book I have the highest hopes for in terms of its reach and its impact.”
Ramon is currently finishing up his coursework and working on his doctoral dissertation for his PhD in counseling, the dissertation project serving the dual purpose of a future book project as well. In the coming year he also intends to self-publish a collection of his original poetry.
Ramon lives with his wife, Dorrie, and teenage sons, Trevor and Cameron, in Thompson Station, Tennessee, a pleasant drive into the country south of Nashville.
Connect