Influential Woman · Publishing and Writing Coaching
Nina Bingham, MH
Boutique Publisher, Writing Coach, Author, and Blogger, Puerto Penasco Publishing
Tucson, AZ 85718
Her Story
About Nina
Nina Bingham, MH, is a boutique publisher, writing coach, author, and blogger based in Tucson, Arizona. She is the owner and publisher of Puerto Penasco Publishing, a U.S.-based publishing company established to support authors throughout the publishing process. As an author, she has published numerous books and offers services including writing, ghostwriting, editing, copywriting, blogging, and content strategy. Her work reflects a mission to inspire conscious living while helping writers develop and bring their work to publication.
Before transitioning into publishing and authorship, Nina spent approximately 17 years working as a licensed mental health counselor and certified life coach in Portland, Oregon. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from City University of Seattle, a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University, and a Master of Humanities in Creative Writing with a minor in English from Tiffin University, completed in 2024. She has also pursued professional training in clinical hypnotherapy, life coaching, Jungian archetypes, and publishing.
Nina's transition into writing was influenced by personal loss and the role of journaling in her healing process. Her writing ultimately led to the publication of Once the Storm Is Over, which received two literary recognitions, including recognition through the National Creative Non-Fiction Book Award and a nomination for the Courage in Writing Award. Today, she combines her background in mental health, creative writing, coaching, and publishing to support other writers and encourage personal growth through storytelling. She is also involved with professional organizations including IAPO Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group and the International Alliance of Holistic Therapists.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my entire professional and personal journey, from mental health counseling to publishing and authorship. Journaling following personal loss eventually developed into an award-winning book, which helped lead me toward a new chapter in my career. Returning to school to study creative writing and combining my experience in mental health with my skills as a writing coach and publisher have allowed me to build a career centered on creativity, personal growth, and helping others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to keep moving forward, even through difficult and unexpected chapters of life. I began keeping a journal during a challenging period, and that personal practice eventually evolved into a book and opened the door to a new chapter in my career. My educational journey—from earning a certification in clinical hypnotherapy in 2003, to studying applied psychology and mental health counseling, and eventually returning to school at age 59 to earn a Master of Humanities in Creative Writing with a minor in English—reinforced for me that growth and reinvention are possible at any stage of life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is to always keep moving forward. Life may bring experiences that require you to slow down, grieve, and process what has happened, and that is okay. Grieving is an important part of healing and growth. Give yourself permission to experience those moments, but continue moving forward and allow those experiences to shape you rather than stop you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the opportunities I am most excited about is the upcoming publication of my book, With Love, From Frida, in January. The book explores letters written in Frida Kahlo's voice and considers the wisdom and perspectives her life might offer to modern society. My interest in Frida began when I saw her image and influence throughout Mexico, which inspired me to learn more about her life. As I researched her experiences, her resilience, creativity, and ability to navigate extraordinary challenges inspired me to explore her story and the lessons her life can offer readers today.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being able to share my story and use my experiences to help others is deeply important to me. I learned that personal experiences of loss can create a deeper capacity for compassion and connection. When I returned to counseling work three months after experiencing a personal loss, I connected with a client who was grieving the loss of her husband. Our shared experience of grief helped both of us heal in meaningful ways. That experience made me a more compassionate and effective counselor because I could genuinely relate to clients experiencing grief and major life changes, whether from divorce, the loss of a loved one, business difficulties, or other significant transitions. I value authenticity, compassion, healing, personal growth, and using my own experiences to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
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