Linda Donovan

Award-winning author, grief support advocate, and communications expert

Linda Donovan

Award-winning author, grief support advocate, and communications expert

“The author is an experienced grief support advocate and a talented writer who has walked the hard path of grief and loss herself. It certainly will be a book I will recommend in my psychiatry practice and teaching to anyone seeking information or support for painful, incapacitating grief and loss.”

Ronald Parks, MPH, MD, writer, blogger, psychiatrist, and author of Covid-19/Mental Health Crises

“Reading Beyond Loss in a Pandemic is like having tea with a caring friend who provides the comfort of experience and practical tools for navigating grief and loss.”

Diane Syrcle, Chief Mission Officer, Hospice of Santa Cruz County

“Dealing with death is difficult in the best of circumstances. But during a pandemic? Linda Donovan gives coping techniques that are wonderfully useful, heartfelt, and wise. Arising from her personal experience as a widow and grief support volunteer, her stories ring of truth. As a recent widow myself, I find her book to be an important source of comfort and guidance.”

Alesa Lightbourne, PhD, Prize-winning author of The Kurdish Bike

“My father died in 2020, but not directly from Covid. The lockdown—a harsh form of solitary confinement—killed him. Struggling to get the support I needed, I found Linda’s book very helpful in getting over the anger I felt over his premature death. Her clear and concise guidance gave me a roadmap for this difficult journey.”

Denise P. Kalm, author, coach, blogger

“To say this book fills a need during a pandemic is an understatement. Even without one, Beyond Loss in a Pandemic would still be needed because grief is universal and will have to be dealt with in order for those left behind to move on. The book recognizes that the culture has shifted post-lockdowns where people now ‘appreciate small pleasures of eating at a restaurant, visiting with friends, and hugging their kids.’ ”

Kyle Suen, web consultant

“If you’ve experienced loss, this is a volume you’ll return to time after time, as, with Donovan’s counsel, you navigate the difficult path back to joy and satisfaction.”

Margaret Gordon, hospice volunteer visitor

“This book shines with practical, down-to-earth suggestions for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones during this devastating pandemic, with many stories that readers can identify with. As a psychotherapist, I’ve been struck with the complexities of grief that are showing up as clients struggle to rebuild their lives after all the many layered losses they’ve experienced in the years of the pandemic. This book will be a welcome resource for them to turn to!”

Alexandra Kennedy MA LMFT author of Honoring Grief, Losing a Parent and The Infinite Thread: Healing Relationships Beyond Loss

“In this book, Linda Donovan has provided a much-needed safe haven for those of us who have suffered loss and trauma from the pandemic, and beyond. Drawing on her expertise as a guide for the grief-stricken and her own journey of recovery from loss, she presents sage strategies for extricating oneself from the bleakness of tragedy and returning to a place of connection, optimism and even joy.”

Karen Kaufman, Ph.D., Psychologist

“The author is an experienced grief support advocate and a talented writer who has walked the hard path of grief and loss herself. It certainly will be a book I will recommend in my psychiatry practice and teaching to anyone seeking information or support for painful, incapacitating grief and loss.”

Ronald Parks, MPH, MD, writer, blogger, psychiatrist, and author of Covid-19/Mental Health Crises

“Reading Beyond Loss in a Pandemic is like having tea with a caring friend who provides the comfort of experience and practical tools for navigating grief and loss.”

Diane Syrcle, Chief Mission Officer, Hospice of Santa Cruz County

“Dealing with death is difficult in the best of circumstances. But during a pandemic? Linda Donovan gives coping techniques that are wonderfully useful, heartfelt, and wise. Arising from her personal experience as a widow and grief support volunteer, her stories ring of truth. As a recent widow myself, I find her book to be an important source of comfort and guidance.”

Alesa Lightbourne, PhD, Prize-winning author of The Kurdish Bike

“My father died in 2020, but not directly from Covid. The lockdown—a harsh form of solitary confinement—killed him. Struggling to get the support I needed, I found Linda’s book very helpful in getting over the anger I felt over his premature death. Her clear and concise guidance gave me a roadmap for this difficult journey.”

Denise P. Kalm, author, coach, blogger

“To say this book fills a need during a pandemic is an understatement. Even without one, Beyond Loss in a Pandemic would still be needed because grief is universal and will have to be dealt with in order for those left behind to move on. The book recognizes that the culture has shifted post-lockdowns where people now ‘appreciate small pleasures of eating at a restaurant, visiting with friends, and hugging their kids.’ ”

Kyle Suen, web consultant

“If you’ve experienced loss, this is a volume you’ll return to time after time, as, with Donovan’s counsel, you navigate the difficult path back to joy and satisfaction.”

Margaret Gordon, hospice volunteer visitor

“This book shines with practical, down-to-earth suggestions for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones during this devastating pandemic, with many stories that readers can identify with. As a psychotherapist, I’ve been struck with the complexities of grief that are showing up as clients struggle to rebuild their lives after all the many layered losses they’ve experienced in the years of the pandemic. This book will be a welcome resource for them to turn to!”

Alexandra Kennedy MA LMFT author of Honoring Grief, Losing a Parent and The Infinite Thread: Healing Relationships Beyond Loss

“In this book, Linda Donovan has provided a much-needed safe haven for those of us who have suffered loss and trauma from the pandemic, and beyond. Drawing on her expertise as a guide for the grief-stricken and her own journey of recovery from loss, she presents sage strategies for extricating oneself from the bleakness of tragedy and returning to a place of connection, optimism and even joy.”

Karen Kaufman, Ph.D., Psychologist

Linda’s Other Books

“Part ‘How-To’ manual, part virtual hug, this book gives those who are grieving some practical, yet comforting, advice. Donovan’s writing is friendly and conversational and puts the reader at ease, validating the widow(er)s feelings and behaviors and helping them to move forward into the next phase of their life with a bit more hope.”
~ Tamara Benson, San Francisco Book Review

“Layoffs, mergers, reorgs, oh my! By reading Donovan and Kalm’s extraordinarily informative and helpful Tech Grief, you’ll be prepared for sudden changes at work and ready to pivot into your next, more satisfying phase.”
~ Marshall Goldsmith, America’s preeminent executive coach (Fast Company Magazine)

Linda’s Other Books

“Part ‘How-To’ manual, part virtual hug, this book gives those who are grieving some practical, yet comforting, advice. Donovan’s writing is friendly and conversational and puts the reader at ease, validating the widow(er)s feelings and behaviors and helping them to move forward into the next phase of their life with a bit more hope.”
~ Tamara Benson, San Francisco Book Review

“Layoffs, mergers, reorgs, oh my! By reading Donovan and Kalm’s extraordinarily informative and helpful Tech Grief, you’ll be prepared for sudden changes at work and ready to pivot into your next, more satisfying phase.”
~ Marshall Goldsmith, America’s preeminent executive coach (Fast Company Magazine)